Worsley Stoat Control - 2008/09
Worsley Stoat Control
Annual Report 2008/2009
Sunday August 16th 2009
Trap Line Checks Stoats Rats
Castle Valley
August -
September -
October -
November 4
December 2
January
February 8
March 4 (+ 7 cleared over ballot period)
June 0
Upper Worsley
August 1 1
September 0
October 0
November 4
December 1 1
January
February
March 11
June 2
Lower Worsley
August 2
September 0
October 0
November 0
December 2
January -
February -
March 4
June 0
Totals 52 Stoats 2 Rats
Note an estimated 309 stoats/rats caught to date since 2005
Track Clearance and Trap maintenance
Track maintenance was completed on Saturday 31st of January and Sunday the 1st of February where 12 volunteers were placed in the field at strategic locations to improve the track. This was a successful operation relocating trap boxes to provide a more regulated spread, remarking difficult sections, replacing old traps with newly waxed ones provided by DOC, and checking each trap for new pest captures.
There have now been 234 020 trap nights since 2005 to 15th August 2009. There has been an increase to 189 operational double traps in the valley due to the work done over January/February.
A total of $5639.07 was spent on this exercise, and a lot of resources were donated by sponsors, members and supporters.
The next track maintenance will have a similar estimated cost and extra funding will be needed to run within the budgeted $5,000 per year for total program maintenance.
Sponsorship continuing through the following groups.
- Principle sponsor Les Hutchins Conservation Foundation has donated another $5,000 for this upcoming stoat season maintenance costs.
- Southern Lakes Helicopters, Carol and Richard Hayes have donated @ $12,000 to the project since August 2008.
- Department of Conservation
- Smeaton Construction
- Placemakers Te Anau (recourses/labour and volunteer time)
- Fish and Game (boat use)
Media coverage
We have had positive media exposure in the Southland Times, Fiordland Focus and Maori TV, who aired a segment including the Worsley Stoat trapping in mid April. Also the foundation website will have more updated information relating to the trapping program.
Volunteers.
A continued thanks to all involved for your patience, your efforts during your busy schedules and your continued flexibility during Fiordland’s variable weather patterns. Without our volunteers, this project would not function effectively.
Since August the F.W.F has organised:
- 34 volunteers, who have spent
- 48 days in the field equating to
- 652 hrs out in the Worsley and Castle valleys.
Whio numbers.
The Whio Recovery Group plan is to have fifty breeding pairs in Operation Arc trapped areas. This includes the Worsley Castle areas over 2007 – 2017.
We rely on the DOC for bird number counts and assessments. Not included in the recent counts are the numbers of single birds, which are mainly male blue ducks. Also the flow on effect our trapping has on other flora and fauna, and other bird species numbers in the area.
- 2004 - 10 counted
- 2005 - only 4 counted
- 2006 - 12 birds - in that time we caught and removed 46 stoats/16 rats
- 2007 Sept - May 2008 - 7 pair Whio located
- 2008 Dec - One pair of blue ducks located by DOC members with 4 fledglings chicks in the Castle Valley, and seen again by FWF members during Januarys trap run.
- Next count to be conducted possibly in spring/summer 2009/10
The future plans:
We are now looking toward the next 12 months and planning for a continued
improvement for bird life and associated flora and fauna in the valley. Our plan includes the following:
To continue the successful monitoring/recording/maintenance program
Replacement/ re-spacing of targeted traps in the upper Worsley.
Track clearing 2 day weekend in spring.
Improve safety resources for volunteers, beacons, radios, avalanche assessment through DOC, Downer EDI Works information.
Investigation of opening up new trap lines.
Regular website updates, exposure and media releases in appropriate forums.
Upcoming trap service dates:
To run the trips safely we need volunteers to first accompany someone who is familiar with the area and track systems.
We need 2- 3 days of no rain prior to the trip to ensure river levels are suitable.
Therefore the cancellation date will be the first fine weekend day following.
As seen below, some dates are during the week as I can generally rely on a core group of volunteers to assist during these periods.
- September 9th
- October 7th
- November 14th
- December 12th
- January 9th
- February 13/14th long weekend track clearing
- March 5th (ballot parties to assist during 4 week period also)
- May 8th
Those who commit to these dates will be asked to be flexible due to possible postponements with weather. They may need to assist in providing a suitable replacement volunteer if unable to assist on a future date.
Be aware that to make the process viable, Southern Lakes Helicopters sponsor their R44 with 3 persons out of Te Anau and back load up to 3 more from the Worsley Hut then return each day.
I am keen to hear from any interested parties who wish to provide a boat for these dates to run volunteers up and down the lake, also, if you wish to contribute to the costs of this project or know some one who is, please contact me.
To book your place in for an opportunity to assist please contact me through the F.W.F website or through the details below.
Glenn Matheson
Conservation Project Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Cell phone: 0275215194
