Join us for our July Talk on the Wild Side where we will learn all about our native wildlife that calls wetlands their home, especially the critically endangered Australasian Bittern/Matuku-hūrepo.

Our speaker is Peter Langlands, well known conservationist, researcher, writer and author of Foraging New Zealand.

A keen birder and photographer, Peter has worked as a fisheries observer on commercial vessels and for DOC working on braided river bird data and setting up a national database on the Australasian Bittern. Peter has also done detailed banding and population studies on wading birds - wrybill and pied oystercatcher and has worked on recording godwit migration for Massey University.

Peter particularly loves his work as a science communicator on conservation and research issues with a focus on Australasian Bittern.

Bittern are fascinating birds. They are extremely secretive and rarely seen, blending in perfectly with reeds in their wetland habitats. They are hard to find despite their large size, it's often not until the males are heard booming in breeding season that their presence is detected. When Bittern do show themselves in the open, they often adopt their famous ‘freeze’ stance with their bill pointing skyward, swaying like a reed - even when caught out in the open.

Doors open from 5.30pm, for nibbles in the Skyline bar next to the Moonlight Theatre.

The talk begins at 6.30pm,and will run for about an hour plus question time.

Ticket includes your return gondola ride and nibbles.

Proudly brought to you by Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and Skyline Queenstown

Peter Langlands. Photo: Penguin Books New Zealand