One of the biggest and main projects we undertaking is Predator Control and it will always be on going.
Many Introduced animals are predators in our native forests. Possums, Rats, Stoats, Ferrets, Weasels, Feral Cats and Hedgehogs are the
predators we mainly target on our property. These predators compete with our native birds, native plants and animals
Possums do a lot of damage to our native plants, animals and birds. Possums eat all the new growth on our native trees as well as
eating the eggs and chicks of our native birds. They can even kick out the Kiwi from their burrows to use as shelter from the weather.
Rats eat lizards, plants, bird eggs, animals and insects as well as fruit and seeds in our Native forests.
Rats also attract other introduced pests like cats and stoats.
Stoats are known predators of our many native birds, as well as reptiles and invertebrates.
Stoats can roam up to 100 ha, they are strong swimmers. The Kiwi chicks are easy prey for the stoats.
Ferrets love eggs and they can also attack and kill chicks and adults birds e.g. Kiwi.
Ferrets also like to eat rare lizards and insects.
Weasels like to snack on our native lizards, wetas as well as nesting birds.
Hedgehogs eat our native weta, skinks and the eggs and chicks of ground nesting birds.
They have a voracious appetite and eat many invertebrates.
PREDATOR CONTROL – TRAPPING
We approached family, friends and local businesses to see if they would sponsor a trap to be set up around each bush area.
Each trap was given a number, sponsors are given their number of each trap sponsored, and all data is collected from each trap.
(Please See Trap tally sheets) We have trapped over 1000 pests since the project started in 2009
We have over 100 Predator traps set up around all bush areas on our property.
Trap checking is done every fortnight during the summer and monthly during the winter months.
We usually have help from family and friends.
DOC 200 BOX TRAPS
These traps target mainly stoats, smaller ferrets, weasels and rats.
Hedgehogs can also be caught in these as well.
The DOC 200 traps are set up on the ground and baited with mainly hare or rabbit meat and
a white egg is also placed inside the trap to act as a visual lure.
These traps are generally placed approximately 100 metres apart.
POSSUM MASTER TRAPS
These are mainly used to target possums.
The trap is nailed to a tree where there are usually signs of possums present.
The traps are mainly baited with citrus fruit, apples, feijoas and on occasion’s peanut butter.
The Possum Master can also be set up as a cat trap to target feral cats.
These are placed on a ramp.
The bait used is mainly meat.
We also have two live traps.
They are placed around the farm where known pests/predators may visit.
Other projects we have completed or underway at the moment are:
MONITORING
In November 2009 we monitored a small area of bush. The purpose of monitoring is to determine which animal pests are present also to
present data about our pest management activities. We used a combination of tracking tunnels / ink cards, wax blocks and wax tags.
The results were that many rats and possums were still present in this area. We have now placed a few rat cafes with poison and also
have possum master traps present.
More monitoring will be done in the future when the need is there, especially when we get new tracks through the other bush blocks.
We have developed a small walking track through the Kahikatea Bush Area.
This has made the placing of traps through the bush a lot easier.
It is an enjoyable walk. With the help from family members we have now been able to place some great looking steps and also a bridge named 'Davy's Crossing'.
At present there is a short track into the Parareka Bush to visit the area where all the King Ferns are growing.
This area still needs developing and we will look at it in the future to develop a track to the large Rimu tree that is growing in this area. This track has been started and hopefully will be completed this Summer. We are able to walk up to the base of the Rimu tree at the moment.
Also we are targeting weed control in some of the bush areas that contain Woolly Nightshade and Barberry.
PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE
At some stage we hope to be able to place Display Signs beside some of the tree species we have along the track in the Kahikatea Bush and Parareka Bush Blocks
also adding a couple of seats (Manuka Furniture) so we can admire the bush and listen to the birds that are present.
Possibly looking at signs from Metal Image they are welded aluminium signs with the focus on NZ Native trees with a detailed illustration and text. Through our Biodiversity Plan with the TRC, we are in the process of ordering our first lot of signs. We have the signs now just waiting to place them in the bush.
The planting of 1500 trees in June/July 2010 – These trees will be used as enhancement planting where required. The trees are now all planted in the different areas of bush.
Other small walking tracks into our other bush areas as well. Over 100 wooden steps have now been made, ready for installation in the Parareka Bush Block. This has started and the walk is very different to the Kahikatea Bush.
When the need is required, purchase or get more sponsorship for Possum Master Traps for all the other bush areas.
At present we have enough DOC 200 traps.
Many Introduced animals are predators in our native forests. Possums, Rats, Stoats, Ferrets, Weasels, Feral Cats and Hedgehogs are the
predators we mainly target on our property. These predators compete with our native birds, native plants and animals
Possums do a lot of damage to our native plants, animals and birds. Possums eat all the new growth on our native trees as well as
eating the eggs and chicks of our native birds. They can even kick out the Kiwi from their burrows to use as shelter from the weather.
Rats eat lizards, plants, bird eggs, animals and insects as well as fruit and seeds in our Native forests.
Rats also attract other introduced pests like cats and stoats.
Stoats are known predators of our many native birds, as well as reptiles and invertebrates.
Stoats can roam up to 100 ha, they are strong swimmers. The Kiwi chicks are easy prey for the stoats.
Ferrets love eggs and they can also attack and kill chicks and adults birds e.g. Kiwi.
Ferrets also like to eat rare lizards and insects.
Weasels like to snack on our native lizards, wetas as well as nesting birds.
Hedgehogs eat our native weta, skinks and the eggs and chicks of ground nesting birds.
They have a voracious appetite and eat many invertebrates.
PREDATOR CONTROL – TRAPPING
We approached family, friends and local businesses to see if they would sponsor a trap to be set up around each bush area.
Each trap was given a number, sponsors are given their number of each trap sponsored, and all data is collected from each trap.
(Please See Trap tally sheets) We have trapped over 1000 pests since the project started in 2009
We have over 100 Predator traps set up around all bush areas on our property.
Trap checking is done every fortnight during the summer and monthly during the winter months.
We usually have help from family and friends.
DOC 200 BOX TRAPS These traps target mainly stoats, smaller ferrets, weasels and rats.
Hedgehogs can also be caught in these as well.
The DOC 200 traps are set up on the ground and baited with mainly hare or rabbit meat and
a white egg is also placed inside the trap to act as a visual lure.
These traps are generally placed approximately 100 metres apart.
POSSUM MASTER TRAPS These are mainly used to target possums.
The trap is nailed to a tree where there are usually signs of possums present.
The traps are mainly baited with citrus fruit, apples, feijoas and on occasion’s peanut butter.
The Possum Master can also be set up as a cat trap to target feral cats.
These are placed on a ramp.
The bait used is mainly meat.
We also have two live traps.
They are placed around the farm where known pests/predators may visit.
Other projects we have completed or underway at the moment are:
MONITORING
In November 2009 we monitored a small area of bush. The purpose of monitoring is to determine which animal pests are present also to
present data about our pest management activities. We used a combination of tracking tunnels / ink cards, wax blocks and wax tags.
The results were that many rats and possums were still present in this area. We have now placed a few rat cafes with poison and also
have possum master traps present.
More monitoring will be done in the future when the need is there, especially when we get new tracks through the other bush blocks.
We have developed a small walking track through the Kahikatea Bush Area. This has made the placing of traps through the bush a lot easier.
It is an enjoyable walk. With the help from family members we have now been able to place some great looking steps and also a bridge named 'Davy's Crossing'.
At present there is a short track into the Parareka Bush to visit the area where all the King Ferns are growing.
This area still needs developing and we will look at it in the future to develop a track to the large Rimu tree that is growing in this area. This track has been started and hopefully will be completed this Summer. We are able to walk up to the base of the Rimu tree at the moment.
Also we are targeting weed control in some of the bush areas that contain Woolly Nightshade and Barberry.
PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE
At some stage we hope to be able to place Display Signs beside some of the tree species we have along the track in the Kahikatea Bush and Parareka Bush Blocks
also adding a couple of seats (Manuka Furniture) so we can admire the bush and listen to the birds that are present.
Possibly looking at signs from Metal Image they are welded aluminium signs with the focus on NZ Native trees with a detailed illustration and text. Through our Biodiversity Plan with the TRC, we are in the process of ordering our first lot of signs. We have the signs now just waiting to place them in the bush.
The planting of 1500 trees in June/July 2010 – These trees will be used as enhancement planting where required. The trees are now all planted in the different areas of bush.
Other small walking tracks into our other bush areas as well. Over 100 wooden steps have now been made, ready for installation in the Parareka Bush Block. This has started and the walk is very different to the Kahikatea Bush.
When the need is required, purchase or get more sponsorship for Possum Master Traps for all the other bush areas.
At present we have enough DOC 200 traps.