Tēnā koutou katoa! This report covers December 2024 and January 2025. Key points:
Ratabate uptake inside the Bream Head Scenic Reserve (the Reserve) became very low over December and January (around 10% on average).
The final rodent tracking tunnel survey of the year was conducted in late December; the results were 3% rats and 10% mice.
During December, four stoats were caught on ‘Load the Road’. During January, seven stoats were caught, with four being inside the reserve (two of these were caught at the ōi/grey-faced petrel site).
In 2024, the overall total for stoats caught was 18. In 2023, just over twice as many stoats were caught (37 individuals).
A few more stoats were caught in January; however, it’s that time of year when the young stoats are on the hunt for food, so it becomes more likely to trap them as they will be more attracted to the bait.
Pest plant control ramped up in January, with the focus being directly on the flowering moth plant. In early January, we were able to complete a long-awaited drone spray operation to control a huge moth plant infestation on the eastern side of the Reserve.
Click the Rangers Report button on this page to see the full report.
A magical sunrise during the moth plant drone spray operation.
