Matuku Muster
We’re excited to join the upcoming bittern survey this spring! Our volunteers will head into the wetlands on three Saturdays to listen for the booming calls of male matuku. This data, combined with other locations across Aotearoa New Zealand, will help us estimate the number of matuku and better understand their behaviour. This synchronised survey across the country helps prevent double counting, as these birds are capable of travelling large distances in short periods of time.
Matuku, or Australasian bitterns, are elusive wetland ninjas, making them hard to spot. We listen for male matuku in springtime, as this is when they are looking for mates and establishing their territory. The rest of the year, they are silent, just like female bitterns!
If you’d like to learn more, contact Annalily: hello@matukulink.org.nz
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