Bitterns

Emma Williams has been studying Australasian bitterns at Lake Whatuma in Hawke's Bay for her PhD

Australasian bittern or matuku

Bing Crosby captured in a trap - he is standing next his own reflection in a mirror

Emma Williams with bittern dog Kimi radio tracking male bitterns photo Alison Ballance

Emma Williams kayaking on Lake Hatuma with her bittern dog Kimi photo Alison Ballance

Dense raupo around the lake edge is perfect bittern habitat photo Alison Ballance

Gail Cheyne (left) and Emma Williams measuring Tama Tomoana the bittern

Emma Williams considers how she and her bittern dog will try and approach a bittern in dense raupo photo Alison Ballance

Our Changing World's Alison Ballance interviewing Emma Williams on Lake Whatuma photo Alison Ballance

Our Changing World's Alison Ballance's microphones are checked out by Kim the bittern dog photo Alison Ballance

Emma Williams clad in waders searches for radiottagged bitterns in flooded willows and pastures around the edge of Lake Whatuma photo Alison Ballance

John Cheyne holding Howard Morrison the bittern

A white heron on Lake Whatuma which is a small lake surrounded by farmland and fringed with willows and raupo photo Alison Ballance

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.