Matuku Muster Providing Valuable Insight

The annual Matuku Muster has returned for its second year.

It's set to provide more valuable insights into one of New Zealand's most elusive wetland birds – the critically threatened bittern (matuku-hūrepo or kautuku).

This year's muster coincides with the recent launch of DOC's Always Be Naturing campaign – during Conservation Week – encouraging all New Zealanders to take action for nature. Nature is at the heart of who we are as New Zealanders – it shapes our identity, wellbeing, economy and future. But nature is in trouble, and the challenge is growing.

A nationwide initiative run by Love Bittern - a charity organisation and community group promoting protection of the matuku-hūrepo - the Matuku Muster calls for volunteers and community groups to count and observe the cryptic and rare birds in wetlands across New Zealand. The particular focus is listening for the distinctive booming sound made by males. The muster helps identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment and how the birds use those spaces.

DOC Science Advisor Harry Caley says the contribution of volunteers involved in the first muster provided valuable data on the matuku-hūrepo population.

"The first Matuku Muster helped us understand more about the shape of matuku-hūrepo populations and how they use their wetland habitats so we can help keep their homes healthy, and so they've got space to thrive," he says.

"We want matuku-hūrepo populations to shift towards and beyond not being threatened by making sure their wetlands are healthy now and into the future."

Last year more than 500 volunteers across New Zealand counted 223 male birds at 462 sites. Finding females requires an entirely separate method still being developed by researchers. However, they can sometimes be seen paired flying with males at sites across the country during the Muster.

"The muster is a way people can take action for nature. With more people involved we can reach more wetlands, count more birds and protect wetlands into the future - not just for bittern but for the animals that call them home.

"We'd really like to get more data from the South Island, where we need more matuku-hūrepo observers committing some time to the muster.

"The previous Matuku Muster data helped us identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment," he says.

"Our aim is for the species to survive in locations for several generations by providing optimal matuku-hūrepo habitats within each wetland network, maintaining those sites indefinitely, and adding or enhancing addition/enhancement of new sites for the birds."

Harry says repeating observations of matuku-hūrepo at sites will also mean scientists can model the birds' abundance and determine their population status. There are estimated to be less than 1000 matuku-hūrepo nationally.

The first Matuku Muster revealed knowledge of the birds is more widespread than anticipated. Many matuku-hūrepo habitats observations are not on land managed by DOC.

People and groups can find out more and join the muster via the Love Bittern website.

Background information

Matuku-hūrepo, also known as the Australasian bittern or kautuku as they're referred to by some South Island iwi, have declined significantly since European settlement of New Zealand. The birds face continued threats from habitat loss, predators and disturbance by human activity.