This white heron has been perusing the countryside around Lake Heron over the last few days. It seems to have taken a fancy to the red and white “bird” here. White herons are critically endangered in New Zealand - only about 100-150 breeding birds return to their nesting ground at Okarito on the West Coast of the South Island each year. The birds start gathering at Okarito from August onwards and this one is probably resting en route before flying the 50kms over the mountains to its destination.