Date: 17th October 2023
Predator trapping in Luggate began when some community members participated in a Wānaka Backyard Trapping initiative in the Wānaka / Upper Clutha area. Their enthusiasm was communicated to the Luggate Community Association for development of a trapline in the Luggate area. With advice from WBT, areas that would benefit from predator control were identified. The local walking tracks offered easier access to the rocky landscape and regenerating kanuka offered an ideal environment for our native wildlife – lizards, invertebrates and birds.
The first 14 traps and volunteer training was provided by WBT members. Judy Thompson undertook the role of trapline co-ordinator. Traps were placed in position from Luggate to the Devil’s Nook in 2019. A second line of 20 traps from the Red Bridge to Luggate Creek was installed in 2022 with the assistance of Southern Lakes Sanctuary who provided the traps and staff time.
We now have 34 traps which regularly catch rats, ferrets, stoats, hedgehogs and mice. These are checked and rebaited regularly by 12 volunteers. Monitoring of the bird activity is carried out quarterly using ‘5 minute bird counts’ which have been completed since August 2020. There are no specific trends to date, but it is hoped improvement in the number and diversity of bird activity in the Luggate Creek and Clutha Mata-au River area will be evident.
An additional advantage for the community has been increasing interest in and knowledge of backyard trapping and how they can contribute to New Zealand’s goal of predator free 2050.
Trapline Coordinator: Judy Thompson
Posted in: Trapping Groups