BirdingNZ.net

Hope this doesn't affect the whistling ducks.

Testings of the blue-green toxic algae in a pond and creek is underway and Napier City Council is urging dog owners to contact their vet if their pet is showing any symptoms of poisoning after drinking or paddling in the water.

Warning signs have been erected and a vacuum truck is on site to try to clear the worst of it.

People are also being urged to avoid contact with the water as a precaution.

Napier dog owners warned about toxic algae https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national ... oxic-algae

Currently at Anderson Park. 2 Plumed whistling ducks feeding together which I have not seen in a long time and 1 whistling. Have to say a lot more seagulls than ducks here today.

Ten plus years later, two of the original three ducks are still at Anderson Park. I've been visiting them for the last 6 years whenever I've been back in my hometown. Here they are this morning- 2/5/19

1 plumed whistling duck present this afternoon at the main pond. Was only a quick look so second one probably still round somewhere. Was great to catch up with this stunning little duck again.

(Only?) one Plumed whistling duck present this morning.

cheers

One lonely duck associating with mallards and the like this morning. It was on one of the smaller ponds with the model oil rig and lighthouse.

I first saw the Plumed Whistling Duck when I was visiting Hawkes Bay, 10 September 2020. Got some lovely photos both on land and water. Back in Havelock North for Christmas I checked Anderson Park on Boxing Day. The Plumed Whistling Duck was at the side of the middle pond near the bench seat. It was with some hybrid ducks and not as confiding as I found it to be in September.

Talking to a local who keeps an eye on these pretty little strangers, he told me he had seen two of them last year (2019) and then driving along the road saw what he was sure were Plumed Whistling Duck feathers on the road beside the park. He is confident that the second PWD to go missing was hit by a car in Kennedy Road.
The remainder seems to associate strongly, for protection, with the Black Swans which he/she quickly joined when I started photographing. I feel sad, seeing this wee duck, now alone without its two former companions.

Jim N

Hi team, I'm heading up to Napier on 26/27 Jan to take my wife shopping and sight-seeing, and accidentally-on-purpose going for a walk around Anderson Park to see if this long-sought after species can be a new year's addition to my NZ tally? So - is it still there, and where currently is the best place to look? cheers and happy new years!

The Plumed Ehistling Duck was there on Boxing Day. The likely spot to find it is at either of the two northern ponds in Anderson Park. Off Kennedey Road opposite the St John building is a carpark beside the northern-most pond. Park there and look for gatherings of ducks, swans and geese.

The PWD is usually with the ducks and enjoys the company also of Black Swans. It is quite conspicuous even from a distance, a little smaller than Mallards, light chestnut appearance from a distance and with conspicuous white plumes on each flank. It is a confiding we chap and I have had it approach me when I was watching from a distance.

Good luck
Jim N

Hi AC,

One PWD present this morning on the bank of the larger pond - to the left of the previously mentioned carpark. It has been associating with Black Swans recently (maybe even one particular swan?).
Give me a call if you want company to celebrate your NZ tick, - Don't you have shops in Christchurch?

cheers