Thursday, 23 August 2018 21:37
‘Ghost’ whio returns to Whakapapanui Stream
Paired up: No colour bar here.
Adam Clark.
A ‘ghost’ whio that hatched on the Whakapapanui Stream in Tongariro National Park two seasons ago appears to have returned to the stream near Whakapapa Village - with a mate this time.
Nicknamed the ghost whio due to its very pale light blue grey colouring the duck was part of a clutch that hatched on the stream close to Whakapapa Village two years ago.
Captured in family photos at that time the unusual coloured duck has not been seen close to the village since.
However, Hastings resident Adam Clarke was excited to report the sighting and to get photographs of the unique ghost blue duck while in the area during school holidays whio spotting.
“I was excited when I spotted the duck just below the Whakapapanui Stream bridge. I had already spent a couple of days looking in the Turangi and Tongariro area and after an afternoon scouring streams around Whakapapa Village without any luck I was happy to finally see a pair by the Major Jones Bridge in Turangi,” said Adam.
“But I was just blown away when I took a chance and stopped at the Whakapapanui Bridge just above the village. I looked over the side of bridge to see this amazing specimen!
“I feel very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time,” said Adam who believes the ghost whio is male as he heard the signature whistle.
Tongariro Senior Ranger Alison Beath said staff were also excited to hear the ghost whio was back in the area.
“This duck hatched below the Whakapapa Intake a couple of seasons ago, and we’ve had sporadic reports of him from the lower Whakapapanui Stream. It’s great he’s shown up again, as we weren’t sure if he had survived or not,” said Alison.
“His light colouring obviously hasn’t been a disadvantage yet - in fact he seems to be quite well camouflaged when he is in the white water.”
Alison said the distinctive duck had not been tagged as it was preferred to leave them alone as much as possible however it was encouraging to see he was with another duck which could mean he has found a mate and may remain in the area.
It appears the whio season started early with the first ducklings reported hatched in the Tongariro Forest site earlier in October and in other areas at the start of the month.
Genesis Energy and the Department of Conservation have partnered together in a five year programme to secure the future of this unique vulnerable native bird. Operating under the name of Whio Forever this partnership is fast tracking implementation of the national Whio Recovery Plan to protect whio and increase public awareness.
The support of Genesis Energy is enabling DOC to double the number of fully secure whio breeding sites throughout the country, boost pest control efforts and enhance productivity and survival for these rare native ducks.
Stephen Moorhouse and
Robyn Orchard
Image Gallery
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://ducks.org.nz/flight-magazine/item/209-ghost-whio#sigProId38c69dde82
https://ducks.org.nz/flight-magazine/item/209-ghost-whio#sigProId38c69dde82