PEST ERADICATION UPDATE

As we come into winter it is a good time to take stock on what effect this “worst of all summers’ has had on the local bird populations.

That won’t be entirely clear until after the upcoming bird count, but just talking to people in the area, there is a definite feeling that there has been a lot less bird activity around the Point since the big-wet began.

For my part, I feel too, that this is the case.

It seems logical to me, that nesting will have been negatively impacted by the huge deluges of rain, with wind, that have come one after another, and I know after many millions of worms came up on my lawn, that the food chain has probably been impaired for some too. That has certainly reduced the numbers of thrushes and blackbirds visiting us since.

In light of this environmental disturbance, it seemed to us, that the last thing the birds that remain in the spring will need, is to find a thriving rat population coming to feast on their eggs and chicks.

Point Wells Garden Circle

For many of us, one of the joys of living in this location is the abundance of birdlife. Our garden village, with all the native and exotic flowering trees and shrubs attracts many land-based native birds: tui, kereru, kaka, the shining cuckoo/pipiwharauroa, kingfisher/kotare, morepork/ruru, fantail/piwakawaka), silver eye/tauhou, grey warbler/riroriro. Our gardens nurture local biodiversity and provide habitat for native birds and beneficial insects. Thankfully we have a team of volunteer rat trappers working to maintain the “Ring of Steel” and many residents set their own traps too, helping to keep our native birds safe from predation.

Omaha River and Whangateau Harbour provide a spectacular backdrop for us all to enjoy a relaxed and healthy lifestyle. We are very lucky to be able to walk around the harbour-side trail and take in the gorgeous vistas: the big sky, the imposing hills, the receding tide and the changing light on the mudflats. It’s easy to do that without taking particular notice of the range of shore birds going about their business. We’re more inclined to take their presence for granted.

Recently, Dr Marie-Louise Ward, who is chair of the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust, gave an informative talk in the hall to a large group of garden club members and other interested locals about the amazing range of shore birds that are right on our doorstep. All these special shorebirds are here because our harbour provides them with an abundant food source.

Dr Ward’s presentation opened our eyes to the needs of the birds to be able to eat and rest and be protected from disturbance.

For this reason, we negotiated with Pete Torrice of PestX - a local and member of the trapping group - a super deal to secure a supply of baits and bait stations to allow us to make an offer to the locals.

This arranged, we did so, and were pleased to deliver over 80 traps in total, with baits and a rubber glove for $20 a pop, and to have them covering every street in the village.

Moreover, we were able to create enough profit in so doing, due to the number of takers, to fund our operations for the next six months.

Our thanks go to all who took part, and to all who make some effort over the winter to reduce rodent populations in the area.

Before closing, I would also like to thank Andrew Clearwater who is taking over from me.

Graeme Beals Eradicator in Chief

Let’s watch out for these precious birds and if we can give them a wide berth on our walks, keep our dogs on leads and cats inside at night, they will have a much greater chance of survival.

See Dr Marie-Louise Ward’s article “Our Whangateau Shorebirds”.

Find out more about the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust – www.omahashorebirds.co.nz

Point Wells Garden Circle meets monthly and has a programme of interesting speakers and garden visits. If you would like to join our friendly group, please email ptwellsgarden@gmail.com

Marion Ransom