BLUE DUCK STATION

CONSERVATION

Blue Duck Station has one of the highest concentrations of whio and kiwi in New Zealand not to mention wetas, native bats and fish. To help increase numbers of these and other native species we are improving their habitat by encouraging bush to regenerate, enhancing water quality and trapping predators. It is as recognition of this work that Blue Duck Station has been granted three Ballance Farm Environment Awards and a Department of Conservation Services to Conservation Award.

THE BLUE DUCK

Found only in New Zealand the blue duck, or whio as it’s called in Maori, is a unique and threatened species. A torrent duck the whio requires clear fast flowing water, like that of the Kaiwhakauka and Retaruke Rivers on Blue Duck Station, and approximately 15 of the remaining 1500 pairs can be found here.

Often heard before they are seen the blue duck has an unusual call; the male whistling ‘fi-o’ and the female making a harsh purring noise. In the sunlight you can see a number of colours on their feathers but in the main the duck is a slate blue grey that blends in perfectly with the river rocks. For more information on the blue duck check out the following websites:

The department of conservation

Genesis Energy and the blue duck

New Zealand Birds

22092023_Blue Duck Station Day 2_398-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIME

TRAPPING

We have approximately 500 traps around the station for stoats, weasels, ferrets, rats, mice, hedgehogs, possums and feral cats; all enemies of the blue duck as well as other native species.

Many of the original lines were set up in partnership with Kia
Wharite we maintain and reset a trapline every week; this is undertaken mainly by our volunteers or ‘eco-warriors’ as we call them.

Our original google earth trapping application was designed and developed by Uncle Bob Jordan who is sadly missed by the team.

We now use trap.nz to record our catches.

WETA BOXES

We have installed a number of weta boxes around the station to encourage this cool native insect. The destruction of the weta’s native habitat and their vulnerability to predators such as cats, hedgehogs and rats has diminished their numbers over the years and the Department of Conservation now considers that 16 out of the 70 species are at risk.

We have both cave and tree wetas on the station and hope to increase their numbers by providing them with extra housing. The picture on the right is one of our more ‘luxurious’ weta homes. It has a glass panel inside so that, once opened, you can see the inhabitant.

HUNTING

We offer hunting experiences ranging from small game hunting to full-day trophy hunting. Hunting on the station provides excellent sport as well as serving our ongoing conservation efforts. Our knowledgeable guides cater to all experience levels, from highly experienced hunters to those new to stalking and bush skills. Repeat guests to our lodges may enquire to hunt without a guide by prearrangement, provided they have a valid New Zealand firearms licence.

Deer Hunting: $295 for a guided hunt or $500 full day (maximum 2 people per guide).
– Red deer: $500 for a meat deer or spiker. 8 pointers are $800 plus $100 for every additional point.
– Fallow deer: $250, for a meat deer or spiker. Stags are priced from $800 depending on the head.
Pig Hunting: $595 per guided hunt for up to two people (including the animal)
Goat Hunting: $175 per person for a guided hunt (minimum two people – includes the animal)
Small Game Hunting: $120 per person including all animals

More About Hunting At Blue Duck Station