A sunny and blustery day saw us return to Pukekauri Dam after the holidays. Steve recorded a total of 14 rats/ mice and one possum over the holiday period – so they are definitely back out in force.

Today OTP students also collected a good haul, with 3 and a half rats (only the head remaining on one), one mouse and a possum (we couldn’t believe how soft the fur was!). The resident feral cats are remaining elusive and we have yet to see another mustelid this term.

We heard plenty of riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail) and tauhou (silver eye) during our bird count, but did not catch a glimpse of the weweia.

We have also found a lot of Kauri seeds which is great!

A great start to the term’s trapping!