Mega mast has group calling for help in its fight to keep rat, stoat numbers down

Monday, 1 July 2019

Stoats are killing machines, so any effort to get them out of places like the Abel Tasman National Park is well worth the effort.

A pest population explosion has begun, with organisers of an Abel Tasman charity calling for more volunteers to assist with predator trapping.

The rat and stoat populations have hugely increased due to what the Department of Conservation is calling a 'mega mast'. Beech mast is the term used to describe a season of particularly high seed production among beech and rimu trees. This happens approximately every four years.

As the saying goes - the only good stoat is a dead stoat.

A recent release from Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says that samples have shown that New Zealand is looking at 'the biggest beech mast for more than 40 years with exceptionally heavy seed loads in South Island forests'.

New Zealand is looking at the biggest beech mast for more than 40 years with exceptionally heavy seed loads in South Island forests. (File photo)

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Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust co-ordinator Abby Butler explained that the beech mast meant extra food for predators like rodents and stoats, the populations of which increased dramatically in relation to this abundance.

Abby Butler from Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust says it's vital predator numbers are reduced before the birds begin their breeding season.(File photo)

'The problem is that when the food source dries up, they then change their food source to birds, eggs and chicks .'

She said they were already seeing a marked increase in predator numbers, with a 25% increase in tracking in the Abel Tasman's Pitt Head area.

This is the most intensively trapped part of the Birdsong Trust's predator control network.

'The tracking is really high in areas where it's usually really low.'

All the efforts are to ensure the survival of such species as the South Island Robins, which have been re-introduced into parts of the Abel Tasman.

She said that it was particularity important to bring predator numbers back down before the birds begin their breeding season as this is when they are more susceptible to predation.

The trust has recently found that a dozen or so of their traps, which are located every 100 metres between Marahau and Awaroa, have been vandalised. Butler said that the traps had either been rolled off the track or had sticks shoved into them. While it was only a small percentage of the traps overall, 'it's still enough to be really frustrating'.

There was speculation as to whether the traps were being vandalised by 1080 protesters, which Butler said would be counterintuitive.

'It's really important that we trap, because there's no 1080 along the coast. That just hinders our efforts.'

An Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust trap in the Abel Tasman National Park. They're after more helpers to lay traps and aid in the fight against introduced predators.

Butler said the Trust was hoping to increase trap checks from fortnightly to weekly, and was eager for 'able-bodied, keen' people to join their ranks.

She explained that the volunteers would join rostered teams, travelling into the park on foot or by water taxi. On-the-ground training would to be provided along the relevant section, or line, of track, after which the line leader will liaise with the volunteers to coordinate the ongoing trap inspections.

Volunteers were well-supported and would be given all the equipment they needed.

'We currently have an amazing group of passionate volunteers who love getting out into the park and making a real difference,' Butler said.

'They have seen first-hand the increase in rats caught and it is frustrating when they come across traps that have been vandalised.

'Volunteers are gaining a greater understanding of the beech forest ecosystem cycle and are very motivated to increase the frequency of trap checks to try and bring rat numbers down.'

Butler said the trust was indebted to the businesses who operated and paid Birdsong levies within the park, as well as the water taxi companies for their willingness to provide the transport for volunteers.

For further information or to register your interest, email atbirdsong1@gmail.com.