Regional Quarterly Trap Catch Update : July, August and September 2021

Like most landscape scale conservation achievements this cannot be achieved by just one organisation, but instead must be the result of community groups and individuals working together. This trap catch data report is not about what we as TFBT have achieved, but about what has been achieved overall by the many and varied stakeholders engaged in predator control within the Northern Rodney area.

The third quarter catch total was down quite a lot when compared to the second quarter. There will be many reasons for this including seasonal variation and the effects of lockdown – not being able to get out and check the traps was not only frustrating for all the trappers out there but it also meant that the traps weren’t as interesting as they are when regularly rebaited.

One of the most pronounced decreases in catch numbers was that of hedgehogs. 116 were caught in the second quarter and only 35 in the third. Again there are a lot of possible reasons for this though one reason is that hedgehogs are naturally programmed to feast in autumn so are more likely to be out and about. This to increase their fat reserves to make it through winter. Rats and mice were also out and about in autumn looking for nice dry, warm places to spend the winter and so were more likely to encounter the traps out there.