After being rained off for our first return trip to the dam, Whaea Jess and members of Patuharakeke have been checking and clearing the traps weekly.

We found that if the traps were not cleared weekly then the bait would be gone, the kills would be degraded and the predators would get to suspect of what was happening.

At the week 3 check, we caught our first mustelid in our station 6 DOC200 stoat trap. This was exciting.

Today all students returned to the dam and we walked the whole trapline to see how it has been set up and for students to revisit the original traps they placed. Thanks to Graeme, who helped us set this up!

We could smell a few traps before we got there and successfully caught 3 rats, including a not so common pure black rat.

Susan from PBL trust also helped us with a new bird count along the banks of the dam, which included telescopes and binoculars. We are still on the hunt for the elusive Weweia (NZ dabchick), but we did spot lots of Pīwakawaka and a few Kōtare (Kingfisher).

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