Lake Okareka - Pest Control Newsletters

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - Winter 2019

11/9/2019

Working bees to check and clear the bait lines commenced again in May and a good start was made in preparation for the actual pest control. Our first working bees to put out the rat bait were on 21st and 22nd July.

Last year, baffles were fitted to the Philproof bait stations and proved to be very successful in preventing possums taking the bait intended for the rats.

Consequently the amount of Pindone required was greatly reduced. This year, alternate lines will have Romark bait stations for the Feratox® (cyanide) and the results will be compared to the Feratox® bio bags used on the other lines.

Dave Edwards, who designed and trialed the baffles used last year, has been investigating using the Romark stations and his trials and videos have shown that if the Romarks are 250 -275mm from the ground, possums have no trouble lifting the lid on the stations and getting the bait, but rats end up sitting on the lid and so are unable to open it. . Many thanks to Dave for sharing his findings with us and to Mike Goodwin for installing all the Romark stations.

Monthly checks have been done on the Nature and Mistletoe tracks and any trimming or clearance of windfalls attended to. The Good Nature traps have also been checked monthly and any kills or counter strikes found have been recorded.

This project is dependent on volunteers and I wish to thank all those who have been involved over the past months. It is always good to have some new people involved in the project and new volunteers are most welcome. Working bees start at 9am and normally finish by 12 noon at the latest. There is a “cuppa” and something to eat when you get back to base. I would love to hear from you if you are interested in becoming involved with this project.

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme for remainder of 2019

Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd September
*Top up D Blocks and Feratox as required

Sunday 15th & Monday 16th September
*Clear stations of remaining D Block and Feratox®

* = volunteers with CSL required plus others to accompany them

Kind regards,

Frances Blakely
Ph 362 8480
email jandfblakely@gmail.com

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - December 2017

1/12/2017

The pest control project for 2017 is now complete. This year the toxins used were Pindone in the bait stations targeting rats, Cyanide in Bio Bags nailed to the trees at 59m intervals along the bait lines.

The results are:
• Rats - Prebaiting 46% reduced to 6% post baiting and 8% at follow up after 1 month.
• Marsupials - Prebaiting 5% increased to 11% post baiting and 26% at follow up after 1 month.

It is disappointing to get an increase in marsupials after baiting. They appeared to mainly be young possums or wallabies that are presumed to have survived after their mothers died from the cyanide. Then after a month there must have also been some reinvasion into the area.

A total of 29 possums and 4 wallaby plus1 joey were found by the bait stations. The kill traps in place since last December also removed 48 possums. As it has been decided not to do a bird count every year, one did not take place this year.

A monthly roster of volunteers ensured the Mistletoe and Nature walks were checked and maintained.

The caution period for the reserve will continue until the signs are taken down, approximately 4 months after the stations were cleared at the beginning of October.

This time is required for the complete decomposition of the carcasses and degradation of the bait. Until the signs are removed please do not touch any carcasses or bait and remember to keep dogs out of the reserve at all times.

A big thank you to all those who have helped with the Tikitapu Pest Control Project this year. The project depends on your assistance.

New volunteers are always welcome and if anyone is interested in being involved in the pest control programme, or going on the roster to check the Nature and Mistletoe walks please let me know. Some of our older volunteers are finding they are no longer able to continue with this project and we would love to get some younger people on the volunteer list.

Frances Blakely
ph. 3628480
email jandfblakely@gmail.com

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - September 2017

26/9/2017

Despite the wet weather and slippery conditions the programme for the 2017 Tikitapu Pest Control has proceeded as planned on 6th and 7th August, with the Pindone bait put out into the bait stations and the Feratox® (cyanide) strikers nailed to trees. Stations were topped up two weeks later and it is intended to clear the stations of any remaining bait on 1st and 2nd of October. We are extremely grateful to our volunteers who have attended working bees this year and delighted to welcome some new people to the team. Thank you all very much for your support.

At this stage we have found 33 possum and 1 wallaby carcass and expect to find more when the stations are cleared. The self setting traps have killed a further 42 possums. Monitoring will be repeated in November to see how successful the baiting and trapping has been in reducing rat and possum numbers. Although there should be no bait in the stations after mid October, the area must be treated with caution until the signs are removed, approximately mid February.

The pesticides used are effective and safe when properly handled. The use of bait stations and strikers allows for the pesticides to be made available to target pest species while at the same time restricting accessibility to native and non-target species. However, there is a risk of poisoning to humans and non-target animals such as dogs if the bait is handled carelessly or eaten. Poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals.

The risk to dogs remains until the carcasses have completely decomposed. Please remember that the area is a Scenic Reserve and therefore dogs are not allowed in the reserve at any time.

The presence of warning signs indicates that pesticide residues may still be present in baits or animals. The removal of signs will tell you that you can resume normal activities in the area. If in doubt, check with DOC.

What do I do if I suspect poisoning?
Always contact your local doctor, local hospital or the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766. These risks can be eliminated by following these simple rules:

DO NOT handle any bait
DO NOT allow CHILDREN to wander unsupervised in the treatment area
DO NOT bring DOGS into this area
DO NOT take ANIMALS for eating

I am always delighted to have new people to add to the volunteer list. The project relies on volunteers assisting in the field and it would be greatly appreciated to have some more local people involved. Please contact me if you would like more information or to be added to the volunteer list.

Frances Blakely jandfblakely@gmail.com Phone: 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - March 2017

16/3/2017

The Pest Control Project for 2016 has been completed with no problems reported. The warning signs have been removed but please remember that the NO DOGS restriction remains. All Scenic Reserves in New Zealand have a NO DOG policy at all times.

The annual meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird has been held recently to review the results from 2016 and to plan the programme for 2017. The details regarding the pesticides to be used and the exact dates they will be in the bait stations are still to be finalised.

There was an excellent result with the mistletoe count at the Okareka end of the project area. In 2001, before the pest control started, DOC surveyed the area and returned a count of 218 plants. In 2016 the same area had 2,034 healthy plants. This shows the benefit of pest control for the mistletoe and we also gain the increased bird life and healthier bush.

We are delighted to continue receiving reports of increased bird song and activity in the village. The bird count was done in November and confirms the general increase in numbers. We are very grateful to Jenny Grace and Margaret Dick who organise this and then produce a professional report.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining our volunteers. Each year one or two of our regulars have to leave us, as the years creep up on them. Some new people would be very welcome. It is a satisfying project to be involved in and we have some interesting discussions after working bees while sharing a cuppa and muffins.

We also have a roster of people checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature Walks. This involves checking the walks at the beginning of your month on duty and doing any trimming or clearing that is necessary. Any windfalls requiring a chainsaw to clear should be reported to DOC or us. Please let me know if you would like to be included in either of these activities.

The first working bees (9am to 12 noon) to prepare for bait laying in the spring are:

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc:
May - Friday 12th and Saturday 13th
June - Sunday 18th and Monday 19th
July - Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd

Hoping to see some new faces at working bees this year.

Frances Blakely
jandfblakely@gmail.com - phone: 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - December 2016

20/12/2016

The pest control project for 2016 is now complete. The toxins of Pindone and Feratox® (cyanide) were used again this year, and the results are shown on the chart below. It was disappointing to find the rat numbers had increased instead of reducing. Several other projects in the area have also reported low pre-baiting numbers for rats and a poor reduction post baiting. The reason is unknown. At Tikitapu there was plenty of bait left when the stations were cleared but obviously the rats had found other food more to their liking!

The caution period for the reserve will continue until the signs are taken down, approximately 4 months after the stations were cleared. This time is required for the complete decomposition of the carcasses and degradation of the bait. Until the signs are removed please do not touch any and remember to keep dogs out of the reserve at all times.

The annual monitoring of bird activity in Tikitapu Reserve to determine if bird abundance is increasing as a result of the pest management strategy, has now been completed. A comprehensive report, including comparisons with counts made in previous years will be prepared for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council which supports the pest control programme.

A monthly roster of volunteers ensured the Mistletoe and Nature walks were checked and maintained.

A big thank you to all those who have helped with the Tikitapu Pest Control Project this year. The project depends on your assistance.

New volunteers are always welcome and if anyone is interested in being involved in the pest control programme, or going on the roster to check the Nature and Mistletoe walks, please let me know. Some of our older volunteers are finding they are no longer able to continue with this project and we would love to get some younger people on the volunteer list.

Frances Blakely
Phone: 3628 480
Email: jandfblakely@gmail.com

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - September 2016

28/9/2016

The programme for the 2016 Tikitapu Pest Control has proceeded as planned, with the Pindone and Feratox ® (cyanide) baits put out into the bait stations on the 5th and 6th August. Stations were topped up two weeks later and it is intended to clear the stations of any remaining bait on September 18th and 19th.

At this stage we have found 58 possum and 2 wallaby carcasses and expect to find more when the stations are cleared. Post bait monitoring will then be carried out to see how successful the baiting has been in reducing rat and possum numbers.

Although there should be no bait in the stations after the end of September, the area must be treated with caution until the signs are removed, approximately the end of January.

The pesticides used are effective and safe when properly handled. The use of bait stations allows for the pesticide to be made available to target pest species while at the same time restricting accessibility to native and non-target species. However there is a risk of poisoning to humans and non-target animals such as dogs if the bait is handled carelessly or eaten. Poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals.

The risk to dogs from pesticide in carcasses will remain until the carcasses have decomposed, which can be up to or more than six months. These risks can be eliminated by following these simple rules:

DO NOT handle any bait
DO NOT allow CHILDREN to wander unsupervised in the treatment area
DO NOT bring DOGS into this area
DO NOT take ANIMALS for eating

The presence of Warning signs indicates that pesticide residues may still bepresent in baits or animals. The removal of signs will tell you that you can resume normal activities in the area. If in doubt, check with DOC.

What do I do if I suspect poisoning?
Always contact your:
Local doctor, or
Local hospital or
National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766

The Department of Conservation has recently carried out a mistletoe count in the Okareka end of the reserve and are delighted with the increased number of plants found, and the way they are spreading towards the Tikitapu end. It is due to the presence of the two endangered species of mistletoe found in the reserve that DOC, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird (Rotorua Branch) combined resources to commence the Pest Control Project in 2003.

The Rotorua Botanical Society control pest weeds and also plant new mistletoe host plants. Okareka residents have benefitted from this with not only the increased presence of mistletoe, but also healthier bush, more birds and less rats and possums, both in the reserve and the village.

Bird counts will be repeated in November.

A small number of plants left over from the planting working bee around the Tarawera Road refuse transfer station will be used to infill a few gaps in the reserve. Otherwise there has been no planting programme required.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped at the working bees. I am always delighted to have new people to add to the volunteer list. Please contact me if you would like more information or to be added to the list.

Frances Blakely
jandfblakely@gmail.com
Phone 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - June 2016

24/6/2016

The 2015 Pest Control Project was completed with the removal of the poisons signs at the end of January. There were no problems encountered during the project. This year the Pindone and Feratox® baits will go out early in August and once the stations are cleared in September Feratox® strikers will be put out to target wallaby. It is hoped that the numbers of possums and rats will have been reduced to low levels by then, as when strikers were used in place of the Feratox® capsules in 2013 the rats and possums treated them as toys and destroyed them.

This year’s Pest Control Programme has commenced with the first working bees to trim the lines and to check the bait stations are intact. The programme for the remainder of the year is:

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme 2016
Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
Sunday 19th and Monday 20th June
Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd July

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 23rd July
Trakka cards in – Sunday 24th July
Wax tags in – Saturday 30th July

Bait laying – Pindone and Feratox® capsules
Baits out – Friday 5th and Saturday 6th August
Top up – Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd August

Clear stations and put out Feratox® strikers – Sunday 18th and Monday 19th
September

Clear Feratox strikers - Sunday 16th and Monday 17th October

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 22nd October
Trakka cards in – Sunday 23rd October
Wax tags in – Saturday 29th October

Bird counts will be repeated in November.

There will be a small amount of infill planting this year – date to be finalised. We would be delighted to have some more people assisting with these projects. Some of our regular volunteers have found the years are catching up on them and they are no longer able to participate in working bees. Lake Okareka is a great place to live and healthy bush and bird life are a vital part of its attraction.

If you would be interested in helping please contact:
rances and James Blakely
Email: jandfblakely@gmail.com
Phone: 3628 480.

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - March 2016

22/3/2016

ROTORUA BRANCH OF FOREST & BIRD’S TIKITAPU SCENIC RESERVE PEST CONTROL PROGRAMME

The Pest Control Project for 2015 has been completed successfully with no problems reported. The warning signs have been removed but please remember that the NO DOGS restriction remains. All Scenic Reserves in New Zealand have a NO DOG policy at all times.

The annual meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird has been held recently to review the results from 2015 and to plan the programme for 2016. It is intended to repeat the combination of Pindone pellets and Feratox® capsules in the bait stations and follow up with Feratox® strikers with the aim of reducing the increasing wallaby numbers in the area. Subject to DoC approval of the Work Plan, the working bees will be:

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme 2016

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
May - Friday 13th & Sunday 15th
June - Sunday 19th & Monday 20th
July - Friday 1st & Sunday 3rd

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 23rd July
Trakka cards in – Sunday 24th July
Wax tags in – Saturday 30th July

Bait laying – Pindone and Feratox® capsules
Baits out – Friday 5th & Saturday 6th August
Top up – Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd August

Clear stations and put out Feratox® strikers – Sunday 18th & Monday 19th September

Clear Feratox strikers - Sunday 16th & Monday 17th October

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 22nd October
Trakka cards in – Sunday 23rd October
Wax tags in – Saturday 29th October

We are delighted to continue receiving reports of increased bird song and activity in the village. The bird count was done in November 2015 and confirms the general increase in numbers. We are very grateful to Jenny Grace and Margaret Dick who organise this and then produce a very professional report.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining our volunteers. Each year one or two of our regulars have to leave us, as the years creep up on them. Some new people would be very welcome. It is an interesting and satisfying project to be involved in and we have some interesting discussions after working bees while sharing a cuppa and muffins. We also have a roster of people checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature Walks. This involves checking the walks at the beginning of your month on duty and doing any trimming or clearing that is necessary. Any windfalls requiring a chainsaw to clear should be reported to DoC or us. Please let me know if you would like to be included in either of these activities.

Frances Blakely jandfblakely@gmail.com

LAKE OKAREKA GARDEN BIRD SURVEY 2015

20/3/2016

Thanks to the thirteen households that participated in the Okareka Garden Bird Survey in 2015. The survey is based on the National Garden Bird Survey that has been running since 2007. A summary of the first four years data from the national survey can be found at http://newzealandecology.org/nzje/3043.pdf.

Eighteen species were observed at Okareka in both 2014 and 2015. These were:

Bellbird
Blackbird
Chaffinch
Dunnock
Eastern Rosella
Fantail
House Sparrow
Greenfinch
Grey Warbler
Kereru
Magpie
Myna
Red-billed gull
Silvereye
Song Thrush
Starling
Tui
Yellowhammer

Goldfinch and black-backed gull were observed only in 2014. Australasian harrier, welcome swallow and Californian quail were observed only in 2015. House sparrow and silvereye had, respectively, the largest and second largest number of birds recorded in any one garden in both years. Blackbird and tui were seen in at least 80% of the gardens surveyed in both years. Kereru were seen in between 60% and 70% of the gardens in both years, with nine birds being seen in one garden in 2015. In contrast, Kereru numbers have been very low in the Forest and Bird 5-minute bird count survey in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve.

Other species seen in at least 60% of gardens in both years were bellbird, house sparrow and silvereye. Fantails were seen in 80% of the gardens in 2014, but only in 46% of the gardens in 2015.

UPDATE ABOUT GARDEN BIRD OBSERVATIONS AROUND LAKE OKAREKA

Since the Garden Bird Survey around Lake Okareka properties was carried out by locals back in June 2015, many people have commented about the increasing numbers of California quails observed in the settlement area, over this spring and summer. Some local people attended a Predator Free NZ Workshop that was held in Rotorua towards the end of 2015, where this same observation was reported.

The response from the organisers and some participants was that if you are seeing more California quails in your local area that generally means that you have less predators such as rats and mustelids (stoats, weasels and ferrets). Quail are ground dwelling birds, so to be successful breeders there needs to be less predators. So these birds are another success story for all of those involved with pest animal control around Lake Okareka.

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - September 2015

24/9/2015

The programme for the 2015 Tikitapu Pest Control has proceeded as planned, with the Pindone and Feratox (cyanide) baits put out into the bait stations on 7 and 8 August. Stations were topped up two weeks later and it is intended to clear the stations of any remaining bait on September 20 and 21.

At this stage we have found slightly more possum carcasses than the total for last year, and expect to find more when the stations are cleared. Post bait monitoring will then be carried out to see how successful the baiting has been in reducing rat and possum numbers.

Although there should be no bait in the stations after the end of September, the area must be treated with caution until the signs are removed, approximately the end of January.

The pesticides used are effective and safe when properly handled. The use of bait stations allows for the pesticide to be made available to target pest species while at the same time restricting accessibility to native and non-target species. However there is a risk of poisoning to humans and non-target animals such as dogs if the bait is handled carelessly or eaten. Poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals.

The risk to dogs from pesticide in carcasses will remain until the carcasses have decomposed, which can be up to or more than six months. These risks can be eliminated by following these simple rules:

DO NOT handle any bait
DO NOT allow CHILDREN to wander unsupervised in the treatment area
DO NOT bring DOGS into this area
DO NOT take ANIMALS for eating

The presence of warning signs indicates that pesticide residues may still be present in baits or animals. The removal of signs will tell you that you can resume normal activities in the area. If in doubt, check with DOC.

What do I do if I suspect poisoning?
Always contact your:
Local doctor, or
Local hospital or
National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766

There have been two successful planting working bees:

A combined one with Forest and Bird, Rotorua Botanical Society and Landcare Okareka when an area opposite Benn Rd was planted
Assisting Kiwi Conservation Club to extend their planted area at Hamurana.

There have been many comments regarding the increase in bird song, particularly tui. Bird counts will be repeated in November.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped at the working bees. We were very fortunate to have several DoC staff join our working bee during Conservation Week and their presence was greatly appreciated.

I am always delighted to have new people to add to the volunteer list. Please contact me if you would like more information or to be added to the list.

Frances Blakely jandfblakely@gmail.com
Ph 362 8480