Slow for Bittern – New Road Signs for South Head Road

The Australasion Bittern, or Matuku, have just got their very own road signs on South Head Road.

The Bittern is classified as nationally critical with the New Zealand population estimated to be less than 1000 birds.  They are extremely cryptic and rarely seen.  However they are found in South Head and are occasionally spotted along the roadside.

The natural defence mechanism for a Bittern is to assume a frozen pose with their bill pointing skywards (designed to blend in with 

rushes and reeds).  Unfortunately this ‘frozen pose’ is not very effective against todays predators, such as cats and ferets.  It also doesn’t work so well with traffic on the road.

Therefore South Kaipara Landcare have teamed up with Auckland Council to install a series of signs along South Head road asking motorists to take care and slow down for Bittern.

The signs are located in areas that Bittern are seen near or on the road.  Generally these are in areas where the road crosses through the middle of their habitat.