As summer winds down and the seasons shift, our dedicated trappers have been hard at work maintaining traplines and installing new devices in the field. With autumn approaching, we expect more movement from rats and possums, making this a crucial time to refresh our efforts for the best results. While catch numbers remain low, we anticipate an increase, as this is the time of year we typically see a seasonal spike.

Great news—no rats or possums were caught in Tapeka during February (although we may have found something to report on for the March update)! While it’s encouraging to see numbers staying low, we do anticipate predator movement in the coming months. However, that will give us the opportunity to remove any of the lingering pests and maintain a rat- and possum-free zone.

In February, we caught 33 ship rats in the Russell township area—a slight decrease from the previous month, which is a promising sign! Hopefully, we can continue this trend and drive numbers down to zero as autumn settles in. The reduced catch rate also allows us to pinpoint rat hotspots, helping us focus our efforts where they’re needed most.

February saw two rats caught in Okiato, both within 200 meters of the car ferry landing. This suggests they either hitched a ride on the ferry or swam across from Opua—no small feat, but possible given the short (enough) 330-meter distance. These occasional incursions are expected, and we’re confident that our trap and bait station network is effectively intercepting them before they can establish themselves.

Our amazing volunteers have been hard at work, tackling a variety of tasks, including:

✔ Preparing the nursery site, clearing weeds, and removing old structures
✔ Biodiversity monitoring
✔ Servicing traplines
✔ Assisting with ongoing depot maintenance projects

Without the contributions of our volunteers, these projects would take so much longer. We truly appreciate your dedication and shared vision for a thriving, pest-free community!

On February 18th, Russell Landcare Trust hosted a community presentation at the Russell Town Hall to share our progress and future goals. It was fantastic to see such a great turnout and celebrate our collective successes. As our project grows, we’re committed to keeping the community informed and involved—events like these are essential for fostering engagement and teamwork!

On February 4th, we participated in the annual Pāteke (Brown Teal) count around the Russell Peninsula. The team went out spotting these elusive cuties and the results were very encouraging, with 40 Pāteke spotted in the immediate Russell area! As an endangered species, it’s fantastic to see their numbers holding strong, thanks to past and ongoing pest control efforts.

We say goodbye to Fletcher Sunde with lasting gratitude for his dedication and impact on our team. His warmth, passion, and commitment have left a huge impression on all of us, and will be sorely missed. However, we support Fletcher’s embarking on a new journey, sharing his wisdom and guiding others through meditation and mindfulness. We have no doubt he will inspire many, just as he has inspired us. Wishing you all the best, Fletcher!

To our wonderful Russell community and our funders, we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing generosity and support. Your donations and funding make a real difference, allowing us to continue our work and drive positive change for all of the native wildlife and fauna on the Peninsula. Thank you for believing in our mission and being part of this journey.

Together, we’re making a real impact!

Warm regards,
All of us at the Predator Free Russell Team