Bittern country
A vast area of raupo, reeds and muddy channels where the Waimakariri River runs to the sea. Photographed in lake Autumn when the leaves of the raupo and reeds have died for the winter turning a burnished golden brown. Once vast areas of Canterbury near the coast looked like this, and although the Waimakariri has been confined within stop banks these days, within tat range it still has vast braided shingle and raupo wetland habitat so important for many native birds. The vary rare Australasian Bittern is heard and, rarely, seen in these raupo marshes.
Bittern country
A vast area of raupo, reeds and muddy channels where the Waimakariri River runs to the sea. Photographed in lake Autumn when the leaves of the raupo and reeds have died for the winter turning a burnished golden brown. Once vast areas of Canterbury near the coast looked like this, and although the Waimakariri has been confined within stop banks these days, within tat range it still has vast braided shingle and raupo wetland habitat so important for many native birds. The vary rare Australasian Bittern is heard and, rarely, seen in these raupo marshes.