Pukekos deported from lake

Virginia Lake's pukekos have begun the move to their new home.
Three birds have already been transported to a riverside wetland area away from gardens and lifestyle blocks.
More are scheduled to make the trip over the coming months.
Cr Ray Stevens, who chairs the Virginia Lake working party, said the council was doing its utmost to ensure the pukekos were treated well during the transition.
After meeting with local ornithologist Peter Frost, he agreed to move the birds in family groups to place as little stress on them as possible.
Birds in the process of breeding and nesting will also be left alone until a more appropriate time.
"Although the sum total that has gone so far is only three, I've agreed. Because of the very important time it would be very stressful.
"We will suspend the capture and release to the wetland in the interim with the exception of those that are not breeding or nesting."
Mr Stevens said he was not a bird hater, or a tree-hugger, but he understood stress on families.
The priority of the relocation was in ensuring the move went as smoothly as possible for all concerned.
Despite earlier fears, Mr Stevens said no birds had been culled, and there was no plan to kill pukekos to reduce numbers.
"No birds have been exterminated, shot, killed, maimed, or anything else."
The council had voted to "control" the population at Virginia Lake, and this was understood to mean relocation, he said.
The move was necessary because of the effect pukekos were having on the ecosystem at the lake.
A report prepared by council officers outlined the side-effects of increasing pukeko numbers.
The native birds had killed young ducks and other wildlife, caused significant damage to plants around the lake and harassed visitors.
Earlier this week Cr Randhir Dahya and council aviary manager Darryl Greeks spotted a pukeko with a duckling in its mouth, Mr Stevens said.
"They threw some bread at it but it was too late for the duckling."
He said the plan was to reduce the pukeko population at Virginia Lake to a manageable level, and not to remove them entirely because it would be impossible to get rid of them all.
"This isn't going to be a one time wonder.
"We will be capturing them for a while until they're down to an acceptable level. When we've got it down to that level that will be it, and next season we will address it again."