Hedgehogs are hogging the traps of local pest control volunteers South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, with 27 snared in the 30 days to May 13, 140 in the year to date and a whopping 444 since figures were first collected.
Rats take second place in the trapped list with just nine on the latest month, 77 in the year to mid-May and a total cull of 425 rats taken in local traps – according to records kept by the group. The perennial possum was the third most-caught local pest revealed by the numbers, with just five in the 30 days till May 13, 85 in the 12-month period and 330 over all.
Some 37 mustelids (stoats, ferrets), and 357 “other” pests were also listed as disposed of since records began.
The grand tally from round Martinborough: 1,595 pest species caught over time – with 432 in the past year and 44 in the month to May 13.
“I’m personally getting lots of hedgehogs but it looks like others trapping in different locations are getting rats. And then there are the endless possums!” SWBG chair Jane Lenting noted.
She praised the “good work from people in our community who just keep plugging at it. “Consistency with clearing and re-luring traps, and trying different spots and lures definitely gets results over time.”
South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group plans four planting and clearing sessions from June through September, and has invited locals to join the team at one or all of the events.
All are planned for mornings on the fourth Sunday of each month:
Sunday 22 June – Ōkorewa Lagoon behind the beach at Lake Ferry where infill planting will take place – an area where the group has been working for more than a decade to re-establish native plants.
Sunday 27 July – Hua-angarua riverside, John’s Road near the Ponatahi Bridge, Martinborough – infill planting to extend an initial planting in the winter of 2024.
Sunday 24 August – Ōkorewa Lagoon – Pīngao sand dune recovery planting between the lagoon and beach.
Sunday 28 September Hua-angarua riverside “plant release” – clearing weeds, grass and willows regenerating among the native saplings planted in 2024.
Lenting notes: “for coffee and snacks purposes, let us know if you are coming, by emailing swbg@xtra.co.nz Join us on any of these dates listed.”
SWBG will hold a Special General Meeting at 3:00 p.m. Saturday 26 July.
