Responses of spotless crake and fernbirds to trapping in Whangamarino & Awarua Wetlands
Principal Science Advisor for DOC in Christchurch, Colin O’Donnell reported at a recent national wetlands symposium on the results of wide-scale predator control in wetlands at Awarua (coastal Southland) and Whangamarino (Waikato).
Both spotless crake and fernbirds appear to be increasing in numbers in the treatment areas after 5+ years of predator control, which is exciting news.
The project demonstrates the potential benefits of predator control in wetlands. However, overall, occupancy of habitats is still very low compared to the historic counts undertaken nearly 40 years ago by Ogle & Cheyne (1980).
Posted: 28 November 2018 in the News category