In this issue
- Robin to Pitt Head
- More kākā to be released
- Wasp control results
- Richardson Stream and its royal connection
- Education update
- Celebrating volunteers Ken & Janet George
- Problem plants
- Video vault
Robin return to the mainland
The Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust’s trapping work on Pitt Head has produced such great results robin will be returned to the mainland at the end of April.
The ATBT’s Allan Barker has been leading the trapping network over 130ha from Pitt Head to Watering Cove for the last few years, using the A24 gas powered traps. February marked a third consecutive month of low rat tracking, with tracking at 2.5%, representing one rat tracked on the edge of the trapping network.
ATBT chair Kim McGlashen says the trapping has now reduced rats to a level where it is believed a robin translocation from Motuareronui Adele Island will be successful.
“This is the culmination of two to three years hard work by Allan Barker and his team and they have produced the results and proved the A24 trapping system. It is exciting to think we can finally bring back robin to the mainland,” he says.
The ATBT re-introduced robin to predator free Motuareronui Adele Island in 2009 and the birds have done so well some have already flown the short distance to Fisherman Island to colonise it as well. Robin have not been seen for years along the Abel Tasman coast because of predation but you can still see them at higher altitudes.
The robin transfer is due to take place on Saturday 30 April and will be run by the ATBT with support from DOC and Project Janszoon. “Huge credit must go to the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust volunteers for all their work maintaining the trap lines on Pitt Head to allow this transfer to happen,” says Project Janszoon Ornithogist Pete Gaze.
