November 22nd 2022: Finding kotuku

The upper estimate for kōtuku in New Zealand is 200. They're extremely rare, completely white herons. They're revered for their white feathers and are a symbol of hope and good fortune. So to have one, or maybe two, hanging around Dunedin is pretty special.

I'm working on a really cool project that means this past week I've been hunting in all our wetlands, marsh areas, lagoons and estuaries for one of these birds to photograph. I found a white-faced heron first and I know the kōtuku occupies similar habitat to them, and to spoonbills, so that was a good starting point. I used the white-faced heron as target practice and to learn something about heron behaviour. After two days of early rising and late nights in gumboots I was beginning to think kōtuku maybe harder to pin down than I first thought. I had nothing.

Then a casual chat to some friends revealed the welcome news that one likes to hang out on rooftops in Tomahawk. And another told me the Otokia Creek and wetland at Brighton was frequently visited by one. And so my search narrowed and my network of people on the lookout widened.

Then a leopard seal turned up on the beach at Brighton so I went down to check it out and stumbled across my rare heron at the same time. It was pretty extraordinary to see this majestic bird feeding up and down the water's edge like some pre-historic creature. They are very very beautiful, fly with an unusual kink in their neck and I even watched one snap at a welcome swallow along the shoreline.

It's amazing to realise that our wild coastline, creeks, lagoons and wetlands are becoming increasingly better habitat for these animals to repopulate, and, hopefully, flourish again. Huge kudos to the team replanting the Otokia Creek and lagoon area – this kōtuku is here because of your mahi and certainly it is a symbol of hope.

See you at the beach ... Derek

PS There has been a massive increase in male sea lions visting our beaches for the breeding season (October to January). These guys are hoping to stumble across a female and so can be quite stroppy. The rules of engagement are the same as always: stay at least 10m away, back away slowly if they approach you, dogs on leads around them and warn other beach users. If you're in the water with them, then this video tells you how to make sure your surf or swim is a mutually enjoyable one.