Subj : 'Severely threatened' bird spotted in Kapiti Coast estuary
To   : All
From : News Person
Date : Wed Apr 10 2024 11:50 am

A "severely threatened" bird has been spotted at a Kapiti Coast estuary,
causing excitement among the locals.


The kotuku, or white heron, is native, with the Department of Conservation
(DOC) saying there were only 100-120 of the birds around the country. The
birds were categorised as "nationally critical" meaning they were most
severely threatened - facing an immediate high risk of extinction.


On Saturday, one decided to pay Waikanae a visit.

"I had not long pulled up in a nice spot at the estuary when a man came to my
window and asked if I had seen the white heron... he said I better go have a
look, because they were rare to see," the Waikanae resident Jordan Adam, 35,
told 1News.


Adam said there were a few people watching the white heron. Those around him
had told the resident they had seen the bird before, but "I have spent 30
years of my life in Waikanae and that is the first white heron I've ever
seen."


"It was quite amazing."

The bird, as seen in footage provided to 1News, was in the water flapping its
wings before flying to branches nearby.


DOC principal scientist Colin O'Donnell confirmed the bird was a white heron,
saying "it's not unusual for them to turn up in the non-breeding season
anywhere in the country - and regularly seen on the coastline north of
Wellington."


The kotuku was typically found in Whataroa, South Westland during breeding,
DOC said. Breeding season was typically between September and January. After
breeding, the birds could seen at coastal freshwater wetlands or estuaries
throughout the country.


"I thought it was a very exciting and cool thing to see in little old
Waikanae," Adam said.


The white heron, which featured on the $2 coin, was rare in New Zealand but
commonly sighted internationally.

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