This video by Peter Langlands and his brother Martin, won the Canterbury Biodiversity Film Competition. The endangered matuku primarily lives in freshwater wetlands, especially where there is a dense cover of raupo or reeds. In autumn or winter the bird may be found in coastal wetlands. Click on the picture to see the video.
Later this year, friends and I are looking for matuku in the Otago area. It will be an early start to the day as the bird is partly nocturnal – and very secretive.
Slight change of plan … we decided to arrive early evening and be there as the moon rose. Spectacular moon, but alas no bittern.
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