A male bittern nicknamed “Bushy” has become the first of his species in WA to be fitted with a solar-powered transmitter, meaning he’s now providing valuable information about his movements and wetland use to DBCA scientists and BirdLife Australia. Australasian Bitterns, which are endangered in WA, are rare and extremely difficult to observe so their habits and movements within and between wetlands are very poorly known. Information on Bushy’s movement will give researchers a previously impossib

Opposition leader Sussan Ley is championing the Australian bittern. Which bird do you want to see win this year’s bird of the year? Give us your best bird call and tag @‌GuardianAustralia and @‌birdlifeoz Voting in the 2025 Australian bird of the year poll opens 6 October: theguardian.com/birdoftheyear | Guardian Australia

The endangered Australasian bittern likes to keep a low profile and experts think there may be fewer than 1,000 left in Australia, but it's now been spotted with chicks in unique wetlands still recovering from damming in the 1960s. | ABC Hobart