Pest Control by Otatara Landcare Volunteers at Bushy Point
It is now over 18 years since Otatara Landcare Group volunteers started animal pest control at Bushy Point and 13 years for Otatara South Scenic Reserve. It is also 20 years since we started the wider Bushy Point Restoration project – planting, tracks, weed control, interpretation signs etc.
At these places animal pest control targeting stoats, rats and possums is in place to protect native birds which are particularly vulnerable at nesting time (Spring) where eggs, chicks and occasionally adult birds are killed. This control has been very successful with Otatara displaying some of the best native bird populations in Southland. Monitoring of pest control areas indicates pest animals remain at low levels. With this sustained control of pests we are able to demonstrate that reintroductions of some pest vulnerable species of bird species into the area may be possible.
Traps for possums and rat bait stations containing poison bait are placed at 100 metre and 50 metre intervals along lines that are 100 metres apart in Bushy Point and Otatara South. This spacing is recommended for the control of rats and possums. Stoat traps are spread over a wider area as the home range of stoats is larger. The traps are humane kill traps and are baited specifically to catch the animals targeted. Possum traps are mounted on trees and stoat traps have small entrances to prevent harm to domestic pets. Rat bait is contained within bait stations which are designed to prevent access by animals or people.
However, if you do visit the Bushy Point and Otatara South Reserve please:
- Do not touch bait stations or traps
- Watch children when around bait stations or traps
- Keep dogs on a lead - poison baits and carcases are deadly to dogs
- Do not eat animals from the reserve.
There are poison warning signs at the entrance and within the reserve and signs that dogs must be kept on leads within the reserve. The pest traps and bait stations are checked every two weeks by a dedicated band of local volunteers. This pest effort is part of the massive 20,000 hours of volunteer time spent in Bushy Point since the year 2000.
We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you want further information or have any concerns about the work at Bushy Point or Otatara South Scenic Reserve. Contacts for the Otatara Landcare Group pest control phone Chris Rance 2131161 or Dallas Bradley 2130234 evenings.
If you want to assist with saving native birds by controlling rats, possums and stoats on your own property then contact the “Otatara Pestbusters” and you will be able to receive subsidised traps and bait to use yourself contact Dallas for Otatara Pestbusters