Ten days ago, an American Bittern touched down besides Crescent Water in Green-Wood. I wasn’t there. Today, I was about to enter the 5th Avenue tunnel when a car pulled up and a guy named Chris asked me if I’d seen the Bittern he’d been alerted to. I hadn’t and hadn’t known to look until just then. The message he’d received was that the bird was in the tree with the bird feeder. That tree was right next to us.
Botaurus lentiginosus. I haven’t seen one for several years. In fact, I’ve only seen this species about four times, if memory serves, and this was the best view I’ve had.
Backyard and Beyond 
Great timing for you two! It helps to have extra eyes!
What good luck – being in the right place at the right time!
Exactly!