A Rare Opportunity

~Wow! LEAST BITTERN! Richard W. DeKorte Park, 07/30/17.~

Maria Loukeris, Linda Scrima, and I birded Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, New Jersey this morning. It was good birding and we had 32 birds, all the expected species for this time of year. I was happy, since I got a decent shorebird fix, with Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitchers all present.

In some regards, we were a little unlucky. We missed the American White Pelican when we first arrived by a mere 1o minutes. And, we missed the Least Terns that were reported after we had left. But, really, we were the lucky ones. We followed up on a tip that another birder (sorry we never got her name) gave to Linda, that there was a LEAST BITTERN near one of the blinds on the boardwalk. I was not optimistic – this is a Least Bittern after all, how long is it going to be out in the open? And would we even find it in the first place? And surely if we did it would be super distant. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The bird was present, and it was just a few feet off of the boardwalk and happily feeding on what appeared to be a healthy supply of small fish. We took many photos and other birders and walkers came and went and the LEBI continued to hunt. After a good while, the bird must have been content and it slowly turned and made its way into the reeds. What an incredible experience! I really just couldn’t believe it; I can still hardly believe it. Excellent birding!

~Least Bittern at DeKorte Park, 07/30/17.~
~Head on look at the Least Bittern, DeKorte Park 07/30/17.~
~Least Bittern with prey, Richard W. DeKorte Park 07/30/17.~ 
~Least Bittern making its move. DeKorte Park, 07/30/17.~

8 thoughts on “A Rare Opportunity”

  1. Great photos Matt! Always a treat when you get the chance to see one.
    Scotty

  2. a RARE OPPORTUNITY indeed! Least Bitterns are easily the least seen of the bitterns. Great job and outstanding shots. Great job, Matt.

    1. Thanks, Ken. You know it’s a special moment when you realize it as it’s happening. What a thrill. Matt

  3. How wonderful to have had that experience! Great photos of this beautiful bird.

    1. Thanks Kathy, it was a lucky day for us, no doubt about it. Glad you like the pics. Matt

  4. Stunning photos, Matt. I’ve been lucky to see this bird several times this summer, but no luck getting a photo. Getting shots like these would only be a dream for me! 😉

    1. It was a dream for me too, Karen. One that I never thought could possibly come true; sometimes luck is just on your side. Mat Geo

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