Wild Ducks Banded To Check Movements

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27318, 18 February 1950, Page 6

Wild Ducks Banded To Check Movements

More than 500 wild ducks, both grey and mallard, which had been trapped for the purpose, have been “ banded ” by the Wilf Life branch of the Internal Affairs Department at a station established at Waihola. This is the third station of its kind in the Dominion, although the banding of ducks and birds was first commenced in Dunedin by Professor B. J. Marples, of the University of Otago, away back in 1938. The main purpose of the banding, or ringing, Mr L. Miller, the secretary of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, told the Daily Times yesterday, was to check the movements of the ducks about the country, and during the shooting season sportsmen are asked to return the aluminium numbered discs found on any birds shot either to the society or to the Internal Affairs Department. Through this method of identification it has been ascertained that grey

duck cover a much wider area than do mallards, which are more sedentary birds. Mr L. Gurr, lecturer in zoology at the University of Otago, stated yesterday that his department had ringed over 3000 birds of all available species, including seagulls of all types, and it had also ringed 900 pheasants released by the Otago Society since 1947. Much valuable data relating to the movements of the birds has thus been gained, he said. Up to 50, per cent, of the identity discs from pheasants, and up to 70 per cerft. from ducks, together with the date and place at which they were brought down, had been returned to the society or the Wild Life branch of the lAD. In the photograph, are some of the traps used for catching the birds, and on the left, Mr A. A. McMaster and Mr L. Gurr may be seen banding one of the ducks. The traps are made from willow

sticks bent to form the shape of an igloo, and then covered with wire netting. In front is a V-shaped opening which permits the ducks to enter but prevents thern from getting out. Some traps are placed on land and others in the water, each netting approximately the same number of birds each day. Each night a line of peas is placed on the water leading into the trap, and many more in the trap. Up to 100 birds a day have been caught in this way, a large percentage of them being “ banded ” birds which return time and time again. When banding the birds, great care is taken not to damage them in any way, and often when they are released they walk away as if loth to leave the rest of the birds. Mr McMaster, who was formerly a keen and expert duck shooter, stated that he would shoot none henceforth. “I have grown fond of the birds and have not the heart to kill them now.” he said.