In Riverina rice fields, farmers and scientists join forces to save a mysterious waterbird

A Bittern nesting in the grass. Photograph: Matt Herring/Supplied

Rice farmers and ecologists in south-west New South Wales are weaving new partnerships between agriculture and wildlife conservation in efforts to rescue a little-known waterbird with a mysterious story.

But pressure from the water market, crop competition and, ironically, increasing water efficiency, could pose a threat to their efforts.