Date: 11th January 2024
This trapline was installed in October 2023 along the shore of Lake Wānaka by the marina and the new boardwalk. The purpose of trapping here is to remove mammalian predators near a breeding colony of Southern Crested Grebes or Pūteketeke. Grebes have been nesting near the marina since 2013, thanks to the ongoing efforts of retired zoologist, John Darby. John pioneered the use of floating platforms which are anchored to the lake bed, on which grebes can pile up nesting material and lay their eggs. Each spring, up to 40 grebes turn up to claim a platform and set up their nests. Incubation lasts for 24-26 days, during which time the sitting parents and eggs are vulnerable to predation by black-backed gulls, stoats and rats.
Markus and Petrina are both part of the Grebe Project team, as well as being on the Wānaka Backyard Trapping committee. A line of eight DOC 150 boxed traps are installed, along with a ninth trap(DOC 200) temporarily lent by Eco Wanaka Adventures. In the first month, a large male stoat was caught in a trap next to the marina, showing that these predators are indeed marauding in the area. We hope our efforts will give grebes and other water birds more protection during the critical breeding season.
Trapline Coordinators: Markus Hermanns, Petrina Duncan
Posted in: Trapping Groups