Banner Photo:Cobb was tasked with the placement and staking of the traps
Save the Kiwi, in declining our request for financial assistance, cited the need to fill gaps in the trapping coverage in the Kaweka Forest Park. So David Harrington took up this challenge and scoped, cut and marked several new trap lines.
Now we just needed to get the traps (provided by ECOED) out there. The email call went out, and Tipene, Krysten, Cobb, Peter, Gerry and Julia accompanied David to kick this off. David’s priority list started with the AS line, followed by the Little Matauria line.
The new traps, loaded up and ready to go
The trailer was loaded with traps and assorted equipment we needed (rebar stakes, hammer, trowel, bait and screwdriver).
David had us organised to carry and place the traps. Tasked with placing traps AS2 and AS3, I set off down the line. AS2 was easily spotted but then I somehow missed AS3 and found myself at AS4. So I placed a trap there, and then backtracked to pick up another trap, and return to AS3, which I found on the way out. This slightly messed up David’s plan, and meant someone had to carry out a spare trap. Sorry David.
Cobb was tasked with placing the traps on flat ground and then banging in two rebar stakes on each side of the trap and fixing them with fencing staples. He then baited and set the traps. A big task, so thank you Cobb.
Julia, having already placed one trap, one to go
Whilst waiting for Gerry, Tipene, Krysten and Peter who were carrying traps for the farther distance, David and I headed up to the top end of the line, and I carried in several traps from there. This was a nice walk along North Black Birch ridge, with lovely views to the main range. A small ski down a clay pan, but I managed to stay upright.
Then on to the next trap line, Little Matauria. Carrying two DoC 250 traps, the walk along the Ngahere loop track before branching off onto this trap line is in beautiful, mature beech forest, before it breaks out on to pinus contorta.
After carrying in 15 traps along this line, we called it quits for the day. There are many more traps to be installed, but we have made a good start.
A great team effort, with special thanks to David for all his time and work.
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