| TRAP DATA | ||||
| MONTH | Rat | Possum | Weasel | Stoat |
| Jan | 139 | 113 | 8 | 3 |
| Feb | 147 | 71 | 5 | 1 |
| March | 146 | 88 | 1 | 1 |
| April | 232 | 150 | 6 | 1 |
| May | 238 | 216 | 4 | 0 |
| June | 149 | 152 | 1 | 0 |
| July | 193 | 119 | 0 | 4 |
| August | 77 | 59 | 0 | 2 |
| September | 192 | 253 | 1 | 1 |
| OTHER SPECIES | ||||
| MONTH | Cat | H. hog | Ferret | Other |
| Jan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Feb | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| April | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| June | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| July | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| August | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| September | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| YEARLY COMPARISON | ||||
| Rat | Possum | Weasel | Stoat | |
| 2024 | 644 | 19* | 19 | 14 |
| 2025 | 1286 | 1352 | 24 | 19 |
| 2026 so far | 1513 | 1221 | 26 | 13 |
| *Not including AT220 kills | ||||
| Cat | H.hog | Ferret | Other | |
| 2024 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 14 |
| 2025 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 58 |
| 2026 so far | 2 | 7 | 0 | 73 |
Week One From Ranger Andy:
While descending a rocky gully on the way out of the bush yesterday I noticed multiple kōura in a small rocky pool.
” Almost 300 million years ago, the crayfish ancestors of kōura lived in the forested streams of the supercontinent Pangaea. When runaway climate change at the end of the Permian period killed three-quarters of life on land, freshwater crayfish survived. One hundred and eighty-five million years later, when an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, the crays once again hunkered down in secretive waters to last out the long, dark winter that followed.”NZ Geographic #189
Photo Credit: Andy Avery
From Ranger Craig:
The 1080 is now complete from our side, we’re just waiting on DOC to complete their blocks. Some lovely bird life in the bush this week to remind us of the importance of the work we’re planning and achieving.
Week Two From Ranger Andy:
A busy week of trapping for the Rangers. I had a lovely interaction with a tuna that was lying still on the rocky riverbed, facing into the gentle current.
“The longfin eel is the largest freshwater eel in the world. Females can grow up to 2 meters long, weigh over 20 kilograms, and live for more than 80 to 100 years.”
While working on improvements to the Umber Trapline, I noticed a tiny brown snail (approx 3-4mm) on a Porokaiwhiri or Pigeonwood leaf. I learned Poro: Refers to a ball, round object, or fruit/berry, Kai: Means food. Whiri: can refer to a flock of birds (such as the kererū or wood pigeon) gathering together – Porokaiwhiri.
With a bit of patience I managed to get some macro imagery of the snail’s simple eyes squirming into position:
Photo and video credits: Andy Avery
Week Two from Ranger Craig:
Nice to get back to a bit of trapping this week, and a little explore at the southern side of the bush near Pukenui Rd. Whilst there Andy and I removed some weeds (taiwan cherries and tamarillos) and installed an AT in an area where we intend to extend the Fuchsia trapline. There were many spectacular old puriri to enjoy whilst there.
Week Three from Senior Ranger Andy:
This week we continue our trapping work with Practicum students Maia and Kate. Also trapping this week are volunteers Mike Goodwin, Jaap, Steve Hardy and it’s great to see Steve Detlaff out and about. We have caught less rats this week but over x100 possums. We caught the majority out to the far West of the Pukenui in AT220 traps.
We have trail cameras out on possible pig activity as well as kiwi burrows and bait stations so footage to follow in the next few weeks.
Week Three from Ranger Craig:
Had a good day with the other rangers where we started clearing some gorse and paving the way for a few traps to connect Smithville to the mawhero line. Some of the route passes through a previously cleared section of bush, where gorse is now prevalent. We installed an AT trap and camera to get a sense of what pests are present and plan to add in some traps next week.
I also assisted Steve who is continuing his good work installing rat traps despite still recovering from the dog attack. Thanks to him as always for his efforts!
Week Four from Senior Ranger Andy:
Craig and I started the week continuing to extend the Sapphire trapline with practicum students Maia and Kate. We cleared some gorse and also removed some large Taiwanese cherry trees in the area.
While out trapping with volunteer Ryan this week, we came across some lovely Puawānanga (Clematis Paniculata) flowering on a sunny ridge West of Clements quarry. This ‘flower of the skies’ is a lovely welcome to spring in the Ngahere.
Craig and I have been out this week continuing our possum control in the Woods Road Quarry area. We worked our way around the ridges that we have not previously been on with ferratox bio-bags.
Week Four From Ranger Craig:
I heard the first shining cuckoos of the year in the bush this week, as I’m sure you’ve been hearing in your gardens. Spring has sprung!
Andy and I deployed some Feratox biobags in the Woods rd area allowing us to get into some of the areas we hadn’t been previously. It was nice to see some areas of regenerated forest where the fencing has kept cattle out. Plenty of cyanide deployed to give the possums another dusting!
September thoughts and images from Part Time Ranger Rose:
Thanks to the finesse of all parties, Zac (!), trustees, and fellow rangers, those pesty/pesky mammals don’t stand a chance against the recent toxin pulse. Was great to get amongst the more untrodden corners of the bush. Was particularly impressed by the fragrance and camouflage of what I thiiiink is a Alseuosmia macrophylla / Toropapa, Karapapa…
