Whakamārama Blade winter works
Achange of season is coming and the Friends of the Blade volunteers are getting ready for it. Winter may be a time when rats and possums seem less active in the bush, but volunteers are working to make their traplines more effective at reducing predator numbers. Fewer predators at this time of year will mean more birds; more food so they can maintain their condition for spring breeding and more adult pairs to boost the numbers of chicks making it through next summer.
Volunteers have been fixing ramps to the tree-mounted traps so possums can climb to the traps more easily. They have also installed automatic traps that regularly drip a tasty lure onto a ramp below the trap, then reset themselves after each kill.
They have cleared the bush tracks to make easier access to the traplines. Winter rain can turn large sections of the ATV tracks into deep, muddy pools so some of the trapping days have turned into work days as volunteers have dug drains so everyone will get home with their boots dry.
Recently installed nesting boxes may be creating some interest among the ruru population. One adult bird was spotted in an area very close to one of the new boxes, perhaps checking out a new neighbourhood. He was discreetly watching a volunteer working on his trapline. Every volunteer gets a big thrill from bird sightings, particularly a sighting of such a silent, nocturnal hunter during daylight.
Finally, to support volunteers for the coming year, Friends of the Blade held a ‘Refresher and Training’ day at the Whakamārama Hall. It was a chance to discuss new technologies, to practise on new traps, swap yarns and meet the other volunteers over a potluck dinner.
New smartphone apps will allow volunteers to record data, pinpoint their location and enhance their safety while in the bush. The tech experts among the group held workshops to demonstrate how they work. Even if it was a new area of technology for some, the group is committed to a ‘work smarter’ kaupapa and welcomes improvements that make predator control more effective. The result is what makes it worthwhile.
Anyone who is interested in joining a small and enthusiastic management group or our larger pool of equally enthusiastic predator control volunteers is very welcome to contact us for more information by emailing friendsoftheblade@gmail.com