Black Stilt - Kahi sighted in upper Rangitata

An exciting sighting on 15 November was of a pure black stilt in the upper Rangitata. The bird was colour banded and I am awaiting banding details from DOC- the first black stilt sighted in the upper Rangitata for some time ! The bird was single and may just be passing through. Black stilts disappeared from the upper Rangitata as a breeding species about 50 years ago- hopefully with the future recovery of the species they may breed again in the upper Rangitata River- a braided river environment to which the birds have naturally evoloved.