Hear The Boom Train

Secretive, elusive, mysterious, and shy,

Observe or disturb me and off I will fly.

Camouflaging expertly, not easy to see,

Try as they may, most won’t find me.

Mottled brown plumage and pale green legs,

A nest that is hidden, cradling olive brown eggs.

Yellow bill pointing upwards, I sway like a reed.

Waiting until twilight when I slink out to feed.

Yabbies, frogs, reptiles, snails, insects, and fish,

The wetland provides me with food to nourish.

I’m known as the Bunyip Bird because of my call,

My ‘Boom Train‘ is heard at sunrise or night fall.

I’d like to stay concealed, unseen, out of sight,

But I need be brave as I’m facing a plight.

I’m the Australasian Bittern, threatened with extinction,

So, I’m stepping out from the reeds to present this petition.

Please stop polluting, avoid spraying herbicide,

Report fox sightings and keep your cats inside.

Stop livestock grazing on my vegetation,

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Will you save my population?