Bittern are increasingly being struck by cars on our roads and in the latest incident an adult female bittern was killed on Pouto Road at the end of August.

Australasian bittern/ matuku-hūrepo are a Threatened- Nationally Critical species so the bird was taken for a necropsy (an animal autopsy) to help provide more information on these secretive, rare birds. This bittern turned out to have a stomach full of over 50, mostly juvenile, skinks. This indicates that bittern are drawn to roads, where skinks are prevalent, for an easy meal.

Unfortunately, this also means they are increasingly likely to be hit by cars – bittern “freeze” when they sense danger and are often difficult to spot due to their camouflage.

A cross-agency response is working to reduce the risk by installing “Slow for Bittern” signs in areas where there is wetland habitat near roads. On 10 September the road team from Fulton Hogan installed new signs on State Highway 12 following collaboration between NRC, DOC Kauri Coast and Kaipara District Council.

The signs are on SH12 on the Parore to Maitahi section, where two bittern were killed in 2023 – look out for them if you’re heading up that way, but more importantly, look out for bittern!

If you see bittern, you can report your sighting using our online system. Data from reported sightings will help NRC and other agencies to understand the species presence in Te Taitokerau. You can find the reporting tool and lots more bittern info at: www.nrc.govt.nz/bitterns