Night Heron

RUFOUS( NANKEEN NIGHT HERON) Nycticorax caledonicus)

In the last few months, when walking around the reservoir in Kilmore, I have seen, on several occasions, a flash of  pale brown, through the trees. Always too quick for me to get a proper look; perhaps a falcon hunting along the waterline or a bronze-wing pigeon?






I found a picture on Geoff Park's blog, Natural Newstead, of a large brown bird, a Nankeen Night Heron. That set me wondering whether that might be my 'flash of pale brown'.

My books tell me  that the Night Heron is reasonably common in this area of Victoria, though seldom seen. Ah, that could be what I am seeing.

 

Morcombe's Field Guide describes it as follows.

"Predominantly nocturnal, most likely seen if flushed from dense foliage of its daytime roost trees. It takes off with a croak of alarm; circles overhead with rapid wingbeats, neck hunched back, flight feathers translucent red under sunlight."

 

Today my bird flew a long loop around and settled up high in a pine tree, where it sat, almost hidden by the branches for the whole hour I waited for it to show itself. 

My  pictures are not particularly good but the long narrow tail like feathers growing from the head can be seen between wings as the bird flees my noisy approach. Certainly a Rufous (Nankeen) Night  Heron.

I will keep my eyes open and my feet quiet for my next visits.