Unusual Black Bittern Behaviour

Hi Greg, I have not observed it with black bitterns, but twice now I have observed mangrove herons flying along, then flipping over and diving into the water, azure kingfisher-style, before emerging having caught a fish. I have also observed mangrove herons sitting on ropes 4-5 ft above the water and diving in to catch fish, exactly as per the diving kingfishers. I’ve also seen great and little egrets dive into the water when rapidly approached from above (eg in a helicopter). Hooroo, Eric Vanderduys Technical Officer CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences Phone: +61 7 4753 8529 | Fax: +61 7 4753 8600 | Mobile: 0437 330 961 eric.vanderduys@csiro.au | www.csiro.au | www.csiro.au/people/Eric.Vanderduys.html Address: CSIRO, PMB PO, Aitkenvale, Qld 4814. Deliveries: CSIRO, ATSIP, Bld 145 James Cook Drive, James Cook University Douglas Campus, Townsville Qld 4814, AUSTRALIA —–Original Message—– From: birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Greg Roberts Sent: Wednesday, 11 December 2013 12:51 PM To: birding-aus Subject: [Birding-Aus] Asian Dowitcher & Unusual Black Bittern Behaviour Two Asian Dowitchers are presently easy to see on the North Pine River near Brisbane. One bird was found a few days ago at this spot by Andy Jensen. I saw a Black Bittern several times along the Noosa River at Tewantin along with Shining Flycatcher. At one point I flushed the bittern at close quarters and it dived into the water, with its head and neck appearing darter-like before the bird disappeared. Has anyone else seen bitterns behaving in this way? More information here: http://tinyurl.com/mds4w6b Greg Roberts