Pest Monitoring
Recently, we've decided to ramp up our monitoring efforts. Why? It's all about optimising our pest management strategies.
Our current monitoring involves keeping a close eye on actively trapped areas, regularly checking traps, recording findings, and using that data to help identify where pests might still be hiding. Recording your trapping numbers isn't just about counting critters; it's about understanding patterns. Do you find more pests in certain areas? Are there seasonal spikes in activity? By spotting these trends, we can adjust our strategies accordingly. Your trap reports are invaluable, so please keep checking those traps (empty traps count too!) and updating your Trap.NZ records. Your insights are crucial!
So, why am I excited about this next phase? It's about improving and understanding our effectiveness. We know we're removing pests from the Tamahere gullies, but are we reducing their numbers by 1%, 10%, or 90%? What's left behind? It's about making sure we’re working smarter. By learning from our efforts and tweaking our approach, we can achieve better results.
We've already done some tracking tunnel monitoring in a couple of private Mangaone gully areas, and now we want to expand this across our project. Expect to see wax tags and tracking tunnels in local reserves over the next few weeks.
Wax Tag and Flour Blaze in the Mangaone Gully, Photo credit: J Morgan
Our target, especially to support native bird breeding, is to maintain very low levels of pests during the nesting season, typically a Residual Tracking Index (RTI) of less than 5%. RTI is a simple measure of pest activity: the percentage of monitoring devices that record pests over a set period. Our plan is to gauge our current RTI and determine what we need to do before the upcoming nesting season to keep this number low and create a safer environment for native birds and long-tailed bats.
Tracking Tunnel in the Mangaharakeke Gully, Photo credit: J Morgan
Every piece of data we collect is a step closer to our mission: creating a healthier, more balanced environment. Our goal isn't just to catch pests for the sake of it; it's to make a meaningful impact. Every possum, rat, or mouse we each catch means fewer disruptions to our ecosystem, healthier plants, safer habitats for native wildlife, and a better balance for everyone sharing this space. So here's to monitoring—our secret weapon in the fight against pests.
