WILD DUCK PLENTIFUL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 14

WILD DUCK PLENTIFUL

LOWER WAIKATO DISTRICT LARGE FLOCK OF SWAN [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] PUKEKOHE, Tuesday The prospects for good shooting in the Lower Waikato during the coming season, which opens on May I, appeajr to bo bright. On the authority of Mr. W. Porter, of Pukekoho, who has a knowledge of the Waikato River extending over a long period, there are more grey duck in the lower reaches at present than for several years. Grey duck are also plentiful in the swamps east of Mercer. A party of Pukekohe sportsmen, who have stands near Kopuku. on the Whangamarino swamp, had ducks alighting within 12 yards of them as members of the party were building their mnimais. Maioro Hay, in the estuary, is the habitat of a large (lock of black swan. Mr. Porter recently had them in closo enough view to make a count. His tally was 197 birds. The bay is a sanctuary, but the birds riso at dark, Hying upstream and returning about half an hour before daybreak. A few pheasants are also to be seen in the district. In a day's walk over country in the vicinity of Pukekohe Hill Mr. Porter counted 13. These included a hen with four young ones scarcely able to fly. They are a late clutch and unless proper precautions are taken the young birds will have little chance of surviving. There will probably be much activity along the fringes of the river next week-end, as many sportsmen will take this opportunity of erecting their maimais. Already a number have pegged positions for their stands. Fifteen boards, with the sportsmen's names on them, are to be seen in position at the Elbow.

Tlio intrusion of men every here and there, and their movements as they proceed with the gathering of material and the construction of maimais, cause the birds to become shy, and numbers make for tho open water at the estuary, or on the lakes. These would be out of range at the opening of the season, but they tend to return as conditions become quieter again.