Good Luck Omen?

What good omen was portended by the visit to Gisborne, recently, of the kotuku, or rare white heron? This beautiful bird first appeared out at Muriwai, then later on the marshes of the Taruheru River, above the Derby Street Bridge, where it spent some time. It created very much interest, as the last time a white heron was seen in the district is believed to be 1953.

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Children from the Central School took walks down to the river to observe the bird.

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The white heron wading in the marshes.

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A young cousin, the blue heron, watches the performance disdainfully from the bridge.

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The kotuku flaps his wings for the camera.