Success for blue ducks

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 371, 29 January 1991, Page 5

Success for blue ducks

The 1990/91 breeding season for the threatened blue duck has been a relatively good one, according to a reccnt Department of Conservation survey.. The annual December blue duck monitoring surveys conducted by the Department of Conservation on the Ton-

gariro, Whakapapa and Wanganui Rivers showed the good result. A total of 72 birds were located during the surveys, including 36 juvcniles from nine broods. The Whakapapa Rivers appcared particularly productive with five broods being located, ranging from two to

six in size. Numbers on the Tongariro River appeared to be stabilizing. This followed a significant decline since 1983 when a total of 34 birds were known to be occupying the river between the Rangipo dam and the Poutu intake. This year Turn page 8

Success for blue ducks

From page 5 16 birds were located including five juveniles in two seperate broods. This compares with the 1989 counts of 12 b adults and seven juveI niles in three separate I broods. The Wanganui River I appeared productive upI stream of the hydroelectric power scheme lintake where two breedI ing pairs were located. I These pairs had broods I of two and three juveI niles respectively. BeI low the intake however, I no birds are known to I occupy the river for a I distance of some 15km. I Of the blue ducks located further downstream, no breeding pairs were recorded. The generally productive season has allowed for two juvenile females to be captured for the National Blue Duck Breeding programme. The programme is a combined effort between the Department of Conservation and Ducks Unlimited. Two young females were successfully transferred to a Ducks Unlimited facility near Wellington in mid-Jan-uary. It is hoped they will successfully mate with captive males. Young blue duck raised in captivity will then be re-introduced into the wild in areas where their numbers have declined or disappeared. Over the last two breeding seasons a number of juvenile birds from the Wanganui tributaries have been captured and banded with 1 colour bands. It is hoped that future locations of these young birds as adults will help to improve the knowledge of blue duck dispersal and movement. Department of Conservation staff from the Ohakune field centre have also been involved in a radio tracking study being carried out by DoC research staff in Wellington. The study is following the progress of 10 young

blue ducks on the Manganuioteau River. The knowledge gained from this type of work, combined with progress made in the captive

breeding programme will hopefully ensure the long term survival of this unique and friendly species, according to DoC.