Monday, August 20, 2012
Pigeon update
They're becoming bolder. Now, they sit complacently at head-height when I go out to get the mail first thing in the morning. There are three of them and I suspect a little jockeying for position is going on. Today, there was a kerfuffle overhead and these feathers floated gently down (minor pun).
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14 comments:
I have always admired the wood pigeon, one of the most numerous of all native birds. It is a shame that they are so hard to get close too for a decent look or study. They seem to settle in the upper canopy far from predator clutches. I guess it is important to maintain the high ground when their food source sits high, unlike the bottom feeders of the forest who seem to scurry and scavenge. Admittedly they are protected from humans but apparently not from cunning rodents who present a great risk to this elegant bird. Lucky there a so many people that are willing to trap rats to reduce such risks. I have emptied hundreds of forest rat traps in such a pursuit. Trapping is a labour intensive task but the rewards are so great. In the abscence of rats the forest is alive and thriving.
Good on you, Anonymous, for your trapping work. On Kapiti Island, I saw a wood pigeon sun-bathing on the ground. That's what a pest free environment can produce. On therat-free Titi Island I worked on, the bird life was phenomenal and you'd have loved to be amongst them all. Perhaps you have been to nga moutere titi, Anonymous, I don't know.
I have always tried to consider every animal has a place. But the rat. I dont know where its place is. Such a pestilence. All three of the species we have. Kiore, Ship rat and Norweign rat. I hate them all. Although in my experience the ship rat is most common, i have distain for them all.
I look forward to the day that science finds an end to the little blighters in NZ. Trapping in isolation works but my experience trapping in open country suggests it is a never ending task.
Every rat mother must love her chillen', I'm guessing. Ben loved rats. I find them very unlovely also, but have learned that loathed things often have value and a role to play.
Gareth Morgan's plan to rid Stewart Island of cats must interest you, Anonymous. Those big, wild-cats of the island are voracious hunters.
I'm after some info on trapping, I am keen to get rid of rats and stoats on a project I am working on with the local council.
I've decided that if there isn't a budget for it I'm going to do it anyway, but I've never trapped anything accept domestic cats (which are then 'educated' and released).
Anyone got any advice where to start? Which traps are best?
Interested at this stage but you will know by now, I hold my judgement until I know the facts.
Many people view Stewart island as small. Considering the scale of irradication required, it is a big job. If it is viable then I will be the first to put my weight behind it. But it has to be well thought out. Give it a go is not good enough. I suspect $35M is just the beginning.
Credit where credit is due. A man with a vision. I believe we should welcome him to put his ideas forward.
I have been told that cats are hard to irradicate humanely. How do you do it? I am yet to hear of a way that would please many towns folk.
Killing rats without killing cats makes me feel nervous.
"Killing rats without killing cats makes me feel nervous."
- Indeed!
Those people who think Stewart Island is small, can't ever have been there!
Ridding it of wild-cats would be mammoth task and possibly not do-able. I knew Don Merton who was instrumental in ridding islands of pests back in the day, heard his stories and admired the application needed to complete those unlovely tasks and much has been learned since then. Some of the larger sub-Antarctic islands seemed an impossible ask, but were successfully cleared.
I'll be following Gareth's proposal with much interest.
Same page... Wow.
Although I wont say not do-able. Anything can be achieved with enough money and enthusiasm.
I think any pest free program needs to consider maintaining status. Imagine the checks that are required to keep all the boats and planes visiting the island clean.
Still I have a wait and see attitude and will try to encourage enthusiasm as long as it appears practical and realistic.
On Stewart Island and checks needed to keep pest organisms out, did you know that the drilling company that are working there presently towed their un-cleaned, un-cleared barge into the bay, before they were consented to do anything. This sort of 'cowboy' behaviour threatens the integrity of islands like Rakiura. How the whole coastline could be protected when this example occurred right in the heart of the island, I don't know.
Sorry I didnt mean to ignore your comment Shunda.
Rat trap. Standard wooden type bought from any mitre 10 store (or most hardware stores). I believe we used victor traps? Coreflute folded into a tunnel with end folded down so you only have one entrance. 3 nails (short with large heads). 2 to hinge the tunnel at the back and 1 as catch.
The entrance to the tunnel needs netting. What I would call large chicken netting. Not too big to let birds in. Not too small to keep rats out. Dont know the exact size.
I am sure doc will provide you with some plans if that is too ambiguous. Indeed building doc endorsed traps is important to minimise the risk of accidents. The best bait is peanut butter.
It is fair to say you need to be very careful catching rats. They carry disease (leptospirosis incl). Wear gloves and carry disinfectant. Keep yourself clean.
Possums hassle the traps so consider placement to avoid that. A small file and pliers is handy to adjust release sensitivity.
Many of the Doc huts have a trap set around them. For some reason most people fail to set them. But if you are ever stomping up to any poke your nose around and you might find one as a design.
Doc do have some web trap designs for traps. They include stoat traps which need more robust than rat traps.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/405/Doc150-Predator-Trap.pdf
This link contains a picture of the type of traps I have described.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/volunteer-join-or-start-a-project/control-animal-pests-and-weeds/control-animal-pests/rat-traps/
Hope that helps
What are the kereru eating at your place at the moment Robert?
Hi, Wildcrafty - they're eating kilos of kowhai tips. I don't think they've begun on the plum tips and buds yet, but they will soon. I used to fume that they were getting all my crop, until I realised they're only getting the high ones that I'd not be able to reach otherwise.
At your place?
Rare to see kereru here, not enough trees. Not sure what they are eating when they are here though, it's a bit of a mystery. There are a few kowhai around but not many. Maybe willow tips? Don't think the plums are growing yet but will have a look.
They do adore willow-tips.
I've a dozen 'wilding' cherry plums I grew last season, sitting waiting for me to plant them into the orchard. I'll do that very soon. Today I checked-on and cleared around the young sweet chestnuts I planted out last year. It's getting exciting down here! Made a long cold-frame too. I'll grow lettuces under it. There are bellbirds around too. I'm not sure what they're eating - perhaps coprosma berries that clung on over winter.
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