The pest control programme in the Tikitapu Scenic reserve is about to commence for 2011. The programme for this year is to bait with the Pindone/Feratox combination again. The baits will be out for 4 weeks in September, with a top up after 2 weeks. This concentrated time will help prevent any rats building up resistance to the Pindone, due to a space between baits being in the station. We plan to have the stations clear of bait before the school holidays commence.
Bait station spacing will be reduced to 100m x 100m at the Okareka end of the reserve (as at the Tikitapu end). This spacing was used in 2010 and provided a satisfactory result while saving considerable bait and the related cost.
Instead of having possum trap catches carried by a contractor the use of wax tags will be tried, and done in conjunction with the rat monitoring.
The Nature and Mistletoe Walks have been checked and maintained by a group of volunteers, who are rostered for a month each.
This programme is dependent on our volunteers. These dedicated people are mainly older and /or retired people. The years take their toll and even if the spirit is willing, sometimes the body isn’t. We are sad to learn that several of our “regulars” have found it necessary to listen to their joints and tell us they are no longer able to take part in working bees. Our sincere thanks to them for the contribution they have made to the project over the years. They will be greatly missed.
Bait station spacing will be reduced to 100m x 100m at the Okareka end of the reserve (as at the Tikitapu end). This spacing was used in 2010 and provided a satisfactory result while saving considerable bait and the related cost.
Instead of having possum trap catches carried by a contractor the use of wax tags will be tried, and done in conjunction with the rat monitoring.
The Nature and Mistletoe Walks have been checked and maintained by a group of volunteers, who are rostered for a month each.
This programme is dependent on our volunteers. These dedicated people are mainly older and /or retired people. The years take their toll and even if the spirit is willing, sometimes the body isn’t. We are sad to learn that several of our “regulars” have found it necessary to listen to their joints and tell us they are no longer able to take part in working bees. Our sincere thanks to them for the contribution they have made to the project over the years. They will be greatly missed.
Tikitapu Pest Control Programme 2011
Working bees for trimming lines and checking and cleaning stations, removing extra stations etc are:
Friday June 10th and Sunday June 12th
Saturday July 2nd and Monday July 4th .
Friday July 15th and Sunday July 17th
Friday August 5th and Saturday August 6th
***************
Sunday August 21st Rat tracking and wax cards out.
Monday August 22nd Rat Trakka cards in.
Sunday August 28th. Wax tags in.
Wednesday August 31st. Pack baits.
Friday September 2nd and Saturday September 3rd baits out
Wednesday September 14th Pack baits
Sunday September 18th and Monday September 19th top up all stations
Sunday October 2nd and Monday October 3rd - clear all stations.
Sunday October 9th Rat tracking and wax cards out.
Monday October 10th Trakka cards in.
Sunday October 16th. Wax tags in.
It would be wonderful to have some more people from Okareka involved in this project in 2011. We would be delighted to hear from you if you would consider lending a hand to protect our bush and mistletoe and continue the increase in birdlife in the area.. Reasonable fitness is required for the working bees in the reserve but there are also other jobs to be done such as helping pack the baits, rat tracking, and checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature walks.
Frances and James Blakely
Ph 3628 480
Friday June 10th and Sunday June 12th
Saturday July 2nd and Monday July 4th .
Friday July 15th and Sunday July 17th
Friday August 5th and Saturday August 6th
***************
Sunday August 21st Rat tracking and wax cards out.
Monday August 22nd Rat Trakka cards in.
Sunday August 28th. Wax tags in.
Wednesday August 31st. Pack baits.
Friday September 2nd and Saturday September 3rd baits out
Wednesday September 14th Pack baits
Sunday September 18th and Monday September 19th top up all stations
Sunday October 2nd and Monday October 3rd - clear all stations.
Sunday October 9th Rat tracking and wax cards out.
Monday October 10th Trakka cards in.
Sunday October 16th. Wax tags in.
It would be wonderful to have some more people from Okareka involved in this project in 2011. We would be delighted to hear from you if you would consider lending a hand to protect our bush and mistletoe and continue the increase in birdlife in the area.. Reasonable fitness is required for the working bees in the reserve but there are also other jobs to be done such as helping pack the baits, rat tracking, and checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature walks.
Frances and James Blakely
Ph 3628 480
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