AVON DUCKS DECREASE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29682, 28 November 1961, Page 19

AVON DUCKS DECREASE

More Swans And Geese The duck population of the Avon river decreased from 2735 at August 9. 1960, to 1491 at August 9, this year, according to the annual report of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. The report says that a similar decrease was found at the Heathcote river, where the numbers dropped from 231 to 121. A summary of the count taken at Lake Forsyth. Hart’s creek, the Heathcote and Avon rivers, and Woodend lagoon showed that while the total number of ducks dropped from 6531 to 4923, black swans and Canadian geese almost doubled their numbers. The black swans increased from 731 to 1893 and Canadian geese from 1010 to 2631. These birds were only found in any numbers at Lake Forsyth and Hart’s creek. Other birds included in the count were. 87 white swans—found only at Hart’s creek and Lake Forsyth; 155 pukekos, of which 150 were at Hart's creek and five at Woodend; one paradise duck which was counted at Woodend; two white herons, one of which was on the Avon river; and 60 grey teal, all at Woodend.