Trapping Report: 01 Feb-10 April 2019

We all interpret data in different ways. The latest Ashley Rakahuri trapping report from Grant Davey is an exemplar of how community-led trapping data can be presented and understood using a variety of infographics. These allow anyone to readily interpret what’s being trapped, when, where, and how the numbers and types of predators change over the seasons.

The importance of understanding the ‘who, what, when, where, how, and why’ of predators is crucial if we are to get on top of them, especially given the megamast. On face value, it may not seem that this would have a direct impact on braided rivers in the 2019 breeding season to come (ie, the ‘why’ part of the story) . In fact, once the expected plague of rodents (and in turn mustelids) begin to compete with one another for food, they will quickly turn to the nearest takeaway-meals: ground nesting birds, their eggs and chicks, including those on braided rivers. Grant’s report is available here: