Zig-zagging up and down the Grampians Reserve slopes isn’t done solely by walkers marvelling at the majestic views of the city below.
There are unwelcome guests to the Nelson magnet too, vermin, although largely inconspicuous, they’re out for its birdlife and throngs of other biodiversity.
Set by Bryce Buckland in 2009, Birdlife on Grampians’ “trapping ninjas” (volunteers) lay siege to pests from rats and mice to larger varieties like ferrets, the first one ever to be trapped in the Grampians happened last year.
Nelson City Council trapping liaison Nick Sparks provided trapping tips at a Nelson Trapper Connect event last month, which was spearheaded by Birdlife on Grampians.
He says the group covers more than 170 hectares, with 700 natural-baited contraptions along 20, and is on the hunt for up to 20 extra active volunteers.
“Most of the volunteers are older in years, but they just have endless energy and time to be able to give to this, and Nelson wouldn’t be able to do what it does [in volunteer trapping] without volunteers,” he says.
“They’re looking to sort of spread the load a wee bit, get more than one person on a trapline.
“If you could spare an hour of your time each week you could get around a trapline, and you’ll also be involved in upgrading and replacing traps as they become available.”
Nick says upgrading the traps was another target for the “very successful volunteer group”.
“A lot of the rat traps up [in the Grampians] were built by Bryce in his garage, and they’re made from corflute, and that’s starting to degrade,” he says.
“The other thing, too, is if we are blessed enough to have weka visiting this reserve, they’ll shred them fairly quickly, so replacing some of those with new wooden boxes is high on the priority list.
“It’s also about plugging the gaps and making sure those areas of high biodiversity are well trapped, and we’re targeting the right species.”
If you’re interested in volunteering with Birdlife on Grampians, contact 021 376 115.
