Monitoring backs predator concerns

A mohua. Photo supplied.
A mohua. Photo supplied.
Pest monitoring in the Catlins is bearing out Department of Conservation concerns that massive beech masting and high rodent numbers will require a 1080 application this spring.

Department of Conservation partnership ranger at Owaka Cheryl Pullar said this year's predicted ''double whammy'' was likely to require an aerial 1080 application to protect habitat for the nationally vulnerable yellowhead, or mohua.

Rodent numbers, which typically decreased over winter, had remained stable in the forest, she said.

A 10,000ha area in the central Catlins, targeted as mohua habitat, would probably have 6g baits dropped at the rate of a kilogram per hectare, to control mice and rats.

The national Battle for our Birds predator control programme has been implemented due to a once-in-seven-years seed production event from beech trees.

The silver beech seeds that are sustaining rodent populations will run out and rodents will then begin to prey on birds.

The Department of Conservation estimates that with no pest control response, New Zealand could lose about 75% of the remaining mohua population, or about 3500 birds.

- Hamish Maclean

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