This morning we were on our way down to the La platte River Preserve 
when we decided to check out the Muddy Brook pulloff along rte. 116.
We had just pulled in and stopped about 15 feet north of  the NO 
TRESPASSING sign, when Maria saw movement in an open area in the 
cattails. I handed her the binoculars and she immediately confirmed a 
Least bittern. She handed the glasses back to me and I got them up to 
my eyes just in time to see the bittern slip out of sight behind the 
cattails. 
What a great surprise. It was a very quick look, but we're fairly sure it 
was an adult female. I had gotten an even quicker look a the head of 
probable female back on May 20 in the same general vicinity, but was glad 
that Maria got a look today.
I walked back to the guard rail to see if I might get another peek, but was 
unsuccessful. As I was walking back to the car, an adult Black-crowned 
night heron flew up from near the pulloff and landed in the upright branch 
of the dead tree off to the southwest. He obliged us by preening for 
several minutes.

Denis and Maria Poley
Richmond, VT