Ixobrychus minutus

This little heron with its pale upperwing coverts is an uncommon resident and local nomad in reed beds across much of southern Africa (bar the really dry places).

My most memorable sighting of this skulker took place in May 2011 in Marievale Bird Sanctuary near Nigel. I had arrived very early and was making my way towards the main picnic site when I heard a rustling noise right next to the passenger window. Not more than 3 metres away stood a beautiful bittern catching the first rays of the morning sun.