Predator trapping helps protect threatened tarapuka at Waitarakao Lagoon

The days of predators roaming free around a special lagoon in South Canterbury are numbered as the community fights back with an ever-increasing network of traps and volunteer trappers. 

This mahi is part of the Our Waitarakao Strategy, which sets out a shared vision to restore the mauri of Waitarakao Lagoon at Washdyke, on the northern edge of Timaru. Predator control is one of the practical actions helping protect native wildlife, including tarāpuka (black-billed gulls), by reducing rats, hedgehogs, stoats and weasels around the lagoon.

Residents and businesses in the area are hosting and maintaining traps, and once a month, a group of volunteers clears three traplines around the lagoon. 

We joined the team for a morning to find out what is being caught, how the programme works and what motivates the volunteers to give their time. 

The people helping protect Waitarakao Lagoon 

Bruce Borrell, Andy Williams and Basil Ensor have been clearing the lagoon traplines for more than three years. Each has been checking one line a month, finding rats, hedgehogs and mustelids such as stoats and weasels in the traps. 

Our Waitarakao project lead Chris Fauth said the three volunteers had put a huge amount of time and effort into the programme. 

“We can’t thank them enough for their ongoing effort and commitment.” 

Andy, a regular Our Waitarakao volunteer and Chair of Forest & Bird South Canterbury, says checking a line takes him around three hours. 

Fulton Hogan has made life easier by mowing grass for access recently. 

"We can do it without crampons and lines now," Bruce joked. 

They say the work gives them a good reason to get outdoors, even when the traps are empty. 

Three more trappers have now joined the team, Kerry Priest, Alan Gillespie and Grant Davidson, meaning the traps will be cleared fortnightly from now on. 

For Kerry, volunteering is a way of giving something back. 

"It makes you feel good. It's got that feel-good factor." 

Extra predator control supports returning tarāpuka 

Experienced trapper Tim Exton is helping improve trap numbers and their placement around the lagoon. He's also set up extra traps to help protect some special visitors. 

Tarāpuka (black-billed gulls), one of New Zealand's most threatened gull species, were found nesting at Waitarakao last breeding season and have recently returned for another season. 

With eggs and chicks particularly vulnerable to introduced predators, extra traps will be placed around the area to give the colony the best chance possible through the breeding season. 

Expanding trapping beyond the lagoon 

According to Chris, when predators are removed from the lagoon they leave a space that will continue to be filled by new predators migrating in from nearby areas.  

"To truly protect the area, we need to expand trapping to the lagoon surrounds and eventually throughout the full catchment." 

DB Breweries, whose property borders the lagoon, is the latest local business to host traps. 

“We’re excited to have DB Breweries involved. Its traps will help close off some of the potential pathways predators use to reach the lagoon.” 

This is the kind of expansion envisaged in the strategy: community-led predator control extending out from the lagoon and supporting wider work to restore the catchment. 

"By adding a few extra traps and getting the right advice there is an opportunity for everyone to work together to significantly improve protection of our wildlife. 

"If you live or work near the lagoon and would like to support our trapping efforts, please get in contact - we would love to talk to you." 

Our Waitarakao is a partnership project between Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, the Department of Conservation, Timaru District Council and us, working in close collaboration with the community.