The future
Mustelid trapping will remain the foundation of our activity for the foreseeable future. And, we will continue:
- Using tracking tunnels to monitor pest numbers and alpine reptiles and wētā
- Using acoustic monitoring to understand roroa and other night-calling birds distribution and relative abundance
- Using stream surveys to follow whio breeding success,
- 5-minute bird counts
- Forest butterfly caterpillar surveys
But we also have plans:
- To further expand the trapping network in the Grecian Valley. Whio and roroa have already expanded into this area and will benefit from this added protection, as will kaka and other native birds and invertebrates
- To develop our alpine programme to monitor flowering of tussock and other key vegetation. We hope To relate this to changes in pest and lizard numbers
- To conduct intensive roroa acoustic surveys in a halo around our reintroduced population to learn if it is spreading
- To perform surveys and camera surveillance of wetlands and other threatened habitats within the project area to better understand the threats they face.
We are always looking for opportunities that will further our goals and welcome any ideas for projects. In particular we'd love to develop a more effective community engagement programme, but currently lack the capacity. Let us know if you can help.
