Just a snippet of good news for the team trapping pests in the Lake Okareka riparian area to help protect the wetland birds, including the dab chicks. The good news is that you are also helping to protect local endemic vegetation including the white mistletoe (Tupeia antarctica) and small-flowered mistletoe (Ileostylus micranthus) which are both endangered species. DOC staff, assisted by some local volunteers have recently completed a survey of mistletoe in the Rotorua Lakes area. It appears that mistletoe plants of both species are flourishing here at Lake Okareka because of all of the animal pest control happening in the area - Rotorua Forest and Bird volunteers carrying out the pest control programme in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve, which is supported by local property owners maintaining rat bait stations and the loan Timm's possum traps and also the trapping team undertaking animal pest control in the riparian strip around Lake Okareka. See the DOC article on page 12 in this newsletter about the results of the recent mistletoe count.
To easily observe the flourishing white mistletoe plants, have a look at the host plants growing in the riparian area beside Lake Okareka Loop Road opposite Summit Road entrance up to 12 Okareka Loop Road. Host plants such as tree lucerne are now hosting numerous flourishing white mistletoe plants.
The new walking track from Boyes beach to the DOC camp has enabled animal pest trapping lines in the riparian area along from Boyes beach, with DOC's permission. If you or your children observe the wooden trapping boxes please leave them alone. They are performing a very important role in the environment here at Lake Okareka. One of the trapping volunteers has also been successfully using some Timm's traps after observing signs of possums on top of the trapping boxes in their line. So far 12 possums have been taken out from a small area along the lake edge.
What is even better to report is that some mistletoe plants growing on five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) in this same small area are now recovering (see photo above). Last summer/autumn it was observed that these mistletoe plants had no leaves or shoots left as they were constantly being eaten by possums in that particular area. Now the plants have shoots and leaves developing. Great work by the trapping team of volunteers!
Above is a recent photo taken to show new re-growth of mistletoe on a five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) tree adjacent to the new walking track between Boyes beach and the DOC camp. The new track is allowing access for pest control work by local volunteers, in this case possums which just love eating mistletoe and the host plant, five finger.
Lakeshore Trapping
We have been trapping for predators with kill traps around the lake edge for three years. We started off with 15 traps given to us by DOC, LOCA has invested in some and others have been donated by locals. We now have 63 traps. Over the last three years we have spent 450 hours checking and maintaining the traps. The known kills are:
To easily observe the flourishing white mistletoe plants, have a look at the host plants growing in the riparian area beside Lake Okareka Loop Road opposite Summit Road entrance up to 12 Okareka Loop Road. Host plants such as tree lucerne are now hosting numerous flourishing white mistletoe plants.
The new walking track from Boyes beach to the DOC camp has enabled animal pest trapping lines in the riparian area along from Boyes beach, with DOC's permission. If you or your children observe the wooden trapping boxes please leave them alone. They are performing a very important role in the environment here at Lake Okareka. One of the trapping volunteers has also been successfully using some Timm's traps after observing signs of possums on top of the trapping boxes in their line. So far 12 possums have been taken out from a small area along the lake edge.
What is even better to report is that some mistletoe plants growing on five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) in this same small area are now recovering (see photo above). Last summer/autumn it was observed that these mistletoe plants had no leaves or shoots left as they were constantly being eaten by possums in that particular area. Now the plants have shoots and leaves developing. Great work by the trapping team of volunteers!
Above is a recent photo taken to show new re-growth of mistletoe on a five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) tree adjacent to the new walking track between Boyes beach and the DOC camp. The new track is allowing access for pest control work by local volunteers, in this case possums which just love eating mistletoe and the host plant, five finger.
Lakeshore Trapping
We have been trapping for predators with kill traps around the lake edge for three years. We started off with 15 traps given to us by DOC, LOCA has invested in some and others have been donated by locals. We now have 63 traps. Over the last three years we have spent 450 hours checking and maintaining the traps. The known kills are:
Rats 679
Hedgehogs 112
Mustelids 28
Feral Cats 2
Hedgehogs 112
Mustelids 28
Feral Cats 2
Over the last few months Spotless Crake – Puweto have been seen along both walkways, Acacia Road and heard in the raupo by the dog exercise area. These little blackbird sized birds are seldom seen. In fact one ardent birdwatcher I know of has not seen one in 40 years of birding.
We like to think that these birds are around here as the result of our trapping efforts as these native birds are another ground nester.
Please remember it is the breeding season and it is important that birds are not disturbed by people, dogs and boating wake. So if you are in or near the lake please give them some thought.
If you have any ideas, questions or want to help with trapping please ring Mike Vincent on 0274 781 899.
We like to think that these birds are around here as the result of our trapping efforts as these native birds are another ground nester.
Please remember it is the breeding season and it is important that birds are not disturbed by people, dogs and boating wake. So if you are in or near the lake please give them some thought.
If you have any ideas, questions or want to help with trapping please ring Mike Vincent on 0274 781 899.
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