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Close approaches and acoustic triangulation: techniques for mapping the distribution of booming Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) on small wetlands

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    2013

  • Author(s)

    C.F.J. O'Donnell; E.M. Williams; J. Cheyne

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    60, 4

  • Pagination

    279-284

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

booming; Botaurus poiciloptilus; census; inventory; monitoring; New Zealand


Close approaches and acoustic triangulation: techniques for mapping the distribution of booming Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) on small wetlands

Notornis, 60 (4), 279-284

C.F.J. O'Donnell; E.M. Williams; J. Cheyne (2013)

Article Type: Paper

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Reliable techniques need to be developed for monitoring the distribution and abundance of the endangered Australasian bittern (matuku, Botaurus poiciloptilus). We trialed 2 complementary methods for estimating the number of booming Australasian bitterns: acoustic triangulation from fixed listening stations, and using kayaks to quietly approach booming birds. Trials were conducted over 2 booming seasons (2011 and 2012) at Hatuma Lake, Hawkes Bay. The 2 methods gave similar estimates of the number of bitterns using Hatuma Lake (2011: 8-9 bitterns by triangulation and 9-10 bitterns by close approaches; 2012: 8-9 bitterns using triangulation and 7-8 bitterns by close approaches). We recommend using close approaches because there appeared to be less count-error or a combination of the 2 methods to estimate numbers of Australasian bitterns on small wetlands (