Bringing Back the Bunyip Bird - Australasian Bittern Conservation Summit 2023

Over 120 delegates at the Bringing Back the Bunyip Bird: Australasian Bittern Summit held in Leeton NSW were able to enjoy and hear about the latest research and discuss what can be done in the future for the long-term survival of this cryptic waterbird, that has been described as a ninja of disguise.

Expert speakers from across Australia and New Zealand covered a range of topics including innovative monitoring methods, wetland management, population numbers and bittern friendly rice crops.

Summit delegates were able to take part in a unique smorgasbord of field trips to key wetlands in the Riverina including the Ramsar listed Fiverbough and Murray Valley National Park, Lowbidgee and bittern friendly rice crops. All were able to see at least one bittern in the rice crops and many also heard the birds booming, an amazing experience as many had rarely seen a bittern before.

Without the support of our sponsors the Summit would not have been possible and we would like to thank you for your generous support.

This project is supported by Riverina Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

Hear from some of the expert speakers from across Australia and New Zealand talk on a range of topics including innovative monitoring methods, wetland management and Bittern-friendly rice. The full playlist from the summit is available on YouTube.

Matt Herring, Murray Wildlife / Charles Darwin University talks about bittern-friendly rice farming, particularly integrated water management from growers to consumers.

Emma Williams from NZ Department of Conservation talks about mobile networks, starvation and disentangling the critical threats and management options for matuka/Australasian Bittern in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ali Borrell from the Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group talks about high priority bittern wetlands in the NSW Riverina. She specifically touches on partnerships and environmental water management in her presentation.