Trapping Results
The Trust is well served by dedicated contractors who service the traps, rebaiting and recording catches. Scott Candy has looked after all the stoat trap lines since installation except for line 10, which is now serviced by a roster of volunteers. Rat and possum traps are serviced under three contracts, handled by Chris Blyth, Joe Vorwerk and David Wilson.
The number of pests trapped each year increased from 2003 to 2007 as more traps were installed, as shown in the following tables. The numbers of pests caught is expected to decrease as residents are removed and only individuals encroaching from outside the control area are trapped. A trend of this kind perhaps shows in the summary results for stoats, cats and weasels in 2008 and 2009. At the same time we are constantly striving to improve trapping methods, with a programme of trap replacement, increases in the number of traps on some lines and improved baits. Intensive possum trapping began in the 650 hectare core area in September 2010. From September 2010, feral cat traps were baited with fresh minced rabbit and possum. Detailed records show that most pests are now caught at the control area boundaries.
Summary of Trapping Results 2003 to 2011:
| Year | Stoat | Cat | Weasel | Ferret | Rat | Hedgehog | Possum | Mice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 47 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 44 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004 | 54 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 399 | 28 | 58 | 2 |
| 2005 | 78 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 538 | 29 | 41 | 0 |
| 2006 | 148 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 2189 | 121 | 368 | 120 |
| 2007 | 177 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 1369 | 77 | 83 | 0 |
| 2008 | 112 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 2914 | 79 | 414 | 88 |
| 2009 | 163 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 3497 | 60 | 459 | 73 |
| 2010 | 169 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 3258 | 52 | 1013 | 149 |
| 2011 | 200 | 39 | 10 | 0 | 3569 | 71 | 1321 | 460 |
| Total | 1148 | 180 | 58 | 2 | 17777 | 522 | 3765 | 892 |
Monthly Trapping Results 2010:
| Month | Stoat | Cat | Weasel | Ferret | Rat | Hedgehog | Possum | Mice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 393 | 11 | 69 | 3 |
| February | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 324 | 5 | 28 | 4 |
| March | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 315 | 9 | 49 | 5 |
| April | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 347 | 7 | 29 | 17 |
| May | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 260 | 6 | 50 | 23 |
| June | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 16 | 8 |
| July | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 315 | 2 | 32 | 9 |
| August | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 52 | 20 |
| September | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 182 | 1 | 78 | 23 |
| October | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 375 | 1 | 233 | 12 |
| November | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 233 | 4 | 156 | 10 |
| December | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 382 | 6 | 221 | 15 |
Monthly Trapping Results 2011:
| Month | Stoat | Cat | Weasel | Ferret | Rat | Hedgehog | Possum | Mice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 377 | 14 | 115 | 6 |
| February | 13 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 278 | 14 | 108 | 9 |
| March | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 352 | 12 | 187 | 10 |
| April | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 447 | 9 | 170 | 41 |
| May | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 371 | 1 | 186 | 147 |
| June | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 341 | 7 | 106 | 163 |
| July | 13 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 287 | 4 | 54 | 24 |
| August | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 182 | 0 | 69 | 16 |
| September | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 279 | 3 | 73 | 13 |
| October | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 219 | 2 | 61 | 11 |
| November | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 3 | 77 | 13 | December | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 2 | 115 | 7 |