Duck hunting does more than destroy native waterbirds. It also sees Victorian
wetlands polluted with plastic shotgun shells, bottles, cans and human waste.
Perhaps worst of all, hunting makes some wonderful wetlands inaccessible for
birdwatching three months of the year.
An example is Lake Murdeduke, current home to a large assemblage of migratory
waders (including as many as 600 Curlew Sandpipers), as well as the prized
rarities Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Ruff and Long-toed Stint.
In three weeks, this wetland is scheduled to open for duck shooting!
But birders can help by surveying wetlands to estimate both 'game' species and
threatened species, like Freckled or Blue-billed Duck. If enough of the latter
are present, the wetland can be closed for shooting.
Please reply by email if you think you'd like to know more.
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