Predator-free Hamilton

After 30 years of predator control, restoration work and hard work by many, Kokako numbers have now reached 2000 pairs.

Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua scientist and Predator Free Hamilton Trust member John Innes, has been instrumental in the recovery of Kokako.

Read more about Kokako recovery here

Calling out to neighbours of gullies, natural bush reserves and waterways! We’re looking for people that want to undertake predator control (traps not poison) on their own property to protect our native wildlife.

These areas are key refuges for our native birds, bats, reptiles, invertebrates and plants and are also the places where you can make the biggest difference to help them out.

Call into Go Eco in Frankton to grab a rat, possum or stoat trap weekdays 10am-4pm or Saturdays 9am-1pm or contact Karen to discuss karen@goeco.org.nz

The Friends of Seeley Gully and Predator Free Hamilton have teamed up to undertake predator control within the gully to help protect our native fauna.

Tonight there will be a talk to encourage neighbours of the gully to get involved by trapping in their own backyard. Living near a gully typically means a higher density of predator pests than most. But it also means that the most difference can be made too if predator control is done.

Predator Free Hamilton will give a short talk about backyard trapping and all that it entails, so come along to find out more. Free rat traps and tunnel boxes will be given out to those that attend tonight. Otherwise rat traps can be picked up from Go Eco in Frankton for $10.

It’s that time of year when you get to vote for your favourite native bird for the prestigious Bird of the Year crown. Go Eco is campaigning for the North Island Kokako, so make sure you vote for Kokako for #1. Cast your vote here https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/

Have you got your trap on the map? Add your Household to the PFH live trapping map. You can add your catches there too to see what and when you are catching those pests. This map will help to determine where more predator control is required to best help our native species. Get on the map here.

The annual Great Kereru Count has begun. Be a citizen scientist and record your sightings of Kereru so that numbers and distribution can be estimated. Kereru are critical for large seed dispersal of native trees and their numbers have declined, so this study is important in terms of forest regeneration forecasting. The recording period runs from 18-27th September. #GKC2020

The Waikato region has many native species, many of which are in the Threatened category. Most people tend to only think of birds when they think of our native species but here’s the list – 196 vascular plants, 50 birds, 20 frogs and reptiles, 23 invertebrates, 10 freshwater fish, 4 marine mammals and 2 land mammals (bats). 16 of the above are only found in the Waikato! There are a further 109 species that are present but considered uncommon.

Sadly, 60 species have been recently lost from Waikato. And one of the best ways to help protect our natives is predator control. Both plants and animals benefit hugely when possums, rats and mustelids are reduced to low numbers.

See the Waikato Regional Council technical report for more information about native species in the Waikato.

Spring is in the air which means it’s a busy time for the birds. It’s breeding time so birds will be finding mates, building nests and raising chicks. This is a time where predator control can really help them out. Eggs, nestlings (chicks still in nests), fledgings (young birds that have left the nest but are naive and still learning,) and even incubating adult birds are at risk from predators. Ship rats, possums and stoats raid nests for eggs and chicks. Get yourself a trap for your backyard and give the birds a fighting chance. Call into Go Eco between 10am – 4pm weekdays or shop online to grab a trap.

1. Why do we have to kill rats/possums etc? These predators were introduced to NZ and have decimated our native species which were unable to cope with these ground predators and in such huge numbers. Some of our native species are extinct and many are endangered because of predators. We need to remove them to protect our native species. PFH are part of the National movement of Predator Free New Zealand.

2. Do you kill cats? No. Our target species are rats, possums and stoats but weasels, ferrets and hedgehogs may also be trapped.

3. Are the traps cruel? All the traps we use are approved as humane kill traps by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

4. Do you use poison? No. We only use traps which are baited with non-toxic lure eg. peanut butter

5. Will my pet get caught? All rat and stoat traps are housed in wooden tunnel boxes to prevent pets and children from getting to the trap. Possum traps are mounted onto trees and baited with apple & cinnamon for example to greatly reduce the risk to cats.

Feel free to contact me if you have any further concerns. Email Karen karen@goeco.org.nz