Great News Karioi Supporters…
This year the Karioi Maunga restoration group received funding from the Community Conservation Fund (DoC) to expand the pest treatment area to include the Bryant Scenic Reserve. The aim is to increase native biodiversity in this area including protection of the seabird, Grey Faced Petrel (Oi) populations that nest in the reserve and cliffs along the Whaingaroa coastline.
While the group is setting up trapping lines in Bryant Scenic Reserve they will continue to control rats and stoats in the Upper Wainui Reserve until April, and restart again in August (including possums). There are four pest control lines in the Upper Wainui reserve which are checked at least every two weeks. Their aim is to have as many local residents taking care of these lines on a regular basis (each line takes approximately 1-2 hours max).
At present several Upper Wainui Rd residents are already involved but a few more are needed!
Meanwhile they will be setting up trapping lines in Bryant Reserve. An approximate time line for the project was established at their last meeting and is as follows.
March
- Leaflet drop and visits to local residents on Upper Wainui, Wainui Rd and Earls Plc consulting with them about the project and getting feedback
(7th March – meet at 54 Upper Wainui Rd 1-1.30 pm)
- Set up trapping lines for cat and stoat traps to protect seabirds from predation when they come in to pair in April/May
April
- Build new rat tunnels for rat traps
- Set up rat trapping lines through reserve
May
- Set rat and possum traps
- Regular checking of lines continues through the summer.
New Schedule for rat trapping until April in Upper Wainui Reserve
| Blue line | Hairpin line | Boundary line | Stream Line | |
| Feb 28th | Andrew/Helen | Britta/Mah | Hugh | Mike/Lyndsay |
| March 14th | Andrew | Little John | Big John | Mike/Lyndsay |
| March 28th | Helen R. | Kristel | Hugh | Mike/Lyndsay |
| April 11th | Andrew | Britta/Mah | Big John | Mike/Lyndsay |