Give bittern a voice.
Let’s do this!
The Great Matuku-hūrepo Muster is the biggest citizen science project helping bittern conservation in New Zealand.
When you record a bittern you give them a voice.
This starts a chain of protection and you’re the first link!
Here is our panui/ notice in a pdf to share.
What’s involved?
Listening 60-90 minutes before sunrise or 60-90 minutes after sunset for 1-3 consecutive days between the following dates:
Friday 18th September and Sunday 27th September
Friday 23rd October to Sunday 1st November
Friday 20th November to Sunday 29th November
Set your postponement dates too. Listen on the same nights if you can as the other people in your district.
Steps to participating
1.Sign up, to record where you are listening and your (your teams) contact details.
2.Get your resources here or contact us for help.
3. Set your location. Find a wetland with plenty of deep more stable water and reeds or rushes, this is where bittern like to nest and rest.
4. Practice! Brush up on your listening and recording skills.
5.Record your results
You need to record
- The location you’re listening from (lat,long if you can)
- The date
- The time you hear a sequence start
- How many booms in the sequence
- The approx distance to the bittern booming (near, med or far are ok)
- The direction he was booming from (bearing)
6.Send your results in!
LOVE BITTERN PROJECT 