Report on Stoat trapping at the Blade

Posted by Colin Hewens

Last Sunday about 15 local stalwarts, including four of our local trap line volunteers, helped establish two lines of stoat traps two kilometers south and north west of our pest control area around the developing forty minute walkway at the Blade, which is at the south end of Whakamarama Road. Some pictures of this activity are below. It is hoped that these traps will reduce considerably the damage stoats do to our bush over an area of about four square kilometers! This is because stoats roam over about 250 Ha of bush each, and are highly destructive bird killers.

We are currently heavily involved in extending our possum traps and rat control from 120 Ha to 300 Ha. We are getting good financial support from BOPRC, and have applications in for further funding from Bat Trust, who gave us a similar grant last year. But we are going to need regular volunteers who have a spare three hours evry week or two. Although we currently go in Friday afternoons, there are many who are joing up to go in independantly at weekends.
I am wondering whether you, Rick, would like to be on our special email list for those who want to be more active in the Blade Pest Free operation? It can involve EITHER

coming out every time that we check our lines, normally two weekly, except for four months like when we knock the rats back with Ditrac, although we hope soon to have a $20 rat trap on every station [a 75m grid] to eliminate the need for toxins at all. No one is expected every time of course.
OR just being available as able to join track cutting parties or trap establishment parties as per last Sunday, usually limited to weekends with a three to four hour max. time limit.

A further thought is wondering whether you know of any firm that may support such community organisations as ours in their pest control work? For instance Dan arranged a nice little $400 donation from Katikati Westpac where he works, to supply rat traps for one of the new lines going in. Let me know if you have any suggestions, and I can knock together an official proposal for their PR people to look at. We have also thus far had $1140 donated locally, sponsoring individual traps from $20 to $120, which is immensely encouraging. If you are thinking you would like to do this let me know by emailing col.hewens@orcon.net.nz

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