Central South Island > Hunting News April 2008

Dry Conditions Reduce Habitat.
Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer.

The glorious month of May is almost upon us and although the weather has recently produced low cloud and drizzle, the region remains dry. As a result waterfowl habitats have been reduced and in some places have dried to such an extent they are no longer of interest to ducks.

While this has ruined the hunting plans for a few and alternative plans are required, past drought situations in the Central South Island Region appears to do two things; concentrates bird numbers on permanent water or sends them long distance to damper climes.

It is probable that on the coastal strip at least, mallards do move south to Otago and perhaps even Southland.

Otago Fish and Game region however is faced with similar dry conditions. Speaking with an OFG colleague he tells that their larger coastal lakes appear well stocked with ducks.

Lake Wainono, a coastal lagoon located on the coast near Waimate is the CSI regions largest and most populated still water habitat. Water levels fluctuate and a low lake level is bad news for hunters and of course the lake’s web footed residents. At present the lake is at about 1.2 metres amsl, which is regarded as “full”. The lake is fed by several small drains and streams but the main inflow is by way of the Waihao River. The above average level of the lake and the approaching opening weekend will have the many Lake Wainono hunters a little nervous. At any time the Waihao River instead of flowing along the coast and into the lake will breach the shingle beach dune and flow into the ocean at a huge box section constructed through shingle dune The Waihao Box was constructed to facilitate this event and prevent flooding of farmland around the lake. When this occurs Lake Wainono stops filling and the flow is reversed as it begins to drain to the sea. This is the worst possible scenario for duck hunters. The lake may drain to such an extent that boats will be unable to get to and from the many hides out in the lake. Some may be able to wade but mud substrate conditions make this an arduous task and for those with the most distance to travel almost impossible. If calm seas prevail draining will continue until the surface water is reduced to perhaps 50%. Exposed aquatic plants, food supplies for waterfowl are dehydrated and remaining stocks of food for waterfowl are rapidly consumed. After a period waterfowl begin to leave the lake to find alternative feeding areas. Pasture damage is often a result of extended low levels in Lake Wainono.

Lake Wainono, the largest still water waterfowl habitat in the Central Soith Island Region.
Photo G.Hughes

The pre-season game bird count in early April is not too dissimilar to the count of 2007. Noticeable was the lower number of Canada geese and Black swan and the high number of Grey Teal.

The Fish and Game wetlands situated adjacent to the lake are at low level but are slowly filling from the inflowing Waihao River. Filling will cease if the river breaks out at the Waihao Box.

Lake Wainono and Wainono Reserve Pre season Waterfowl count.

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