Predator Free West Melton

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Predator Free West Melton Predator Free West Melton is actively engaged in removal of Predators & Pests from our township.

September trapping results for Predator Free West Melton:Rats = 48Hedgehog’s = 10Possums = 18Stoats = 1Ferrets = 0Weasel...
05/10/2026

September trapping results for Predator Free West Melton:
Rats = 48
Hedgehog’s = 10
Possums = 18
Stoats = 1
Ferrets = 0
Weasels = 0

Rabbits = 21
Hares = 0

Trapping results since the start of PFWM January 2024:
Rats = 1,411
Hedgehog’s = 778
Possums = 249
Stoats = 3
Ferrets = 55
Weasels = 1

Rabbits/Hares since October 2025
Rabbits = 905
Hares = 93

A decent result for September may be a little lower than expected.

We managed to catch another Stoat 😃

Still no more ferrets they seem to be a little thinner on the ground now not surprising we’ve had some great results on them over the past two years.
I did have a report of something killing chickens a few weeks ago but we didn’t manage to catch it, although it may have been the Stoat we caught it wasn’t that far away from the chicken killing scene 🤔
I also had a report of 3 rats killed in the same trap at the same time 😲 that’s a new one we’ve had a few cases of 2 rats before.
I spike in the possums is due to one property having a possum shoot & managing to shoot 12 👍
Hedgehog numbers are picking up slowly 👍

I’m due back from a long trip away, things will pick considerably I hope especially the rabbits, I’ve had quite a few calls from desperate lifestyle properties this past few weeks

Thanks for everyone’s efforts

John PFWM 👍😃

Forty five years ago the Black Robin of New Zealand stood on the edge of disappearing forever. Only five of these small ...
05/10/2026

Forty five years ago the Black Robin of New Zealand stood on the edge of disappearing forever. Only five of these small dark birds remained in the world. They lived on remote islands far from the mainland. Habitat loss and introduced animals had brought them to this critical point. Experts feared the species would soon be gone for good.

A determined team of conservation workers stepped in. They moved the last birds to safer islands and carefully managed every nesting attempt. One special female known as Old Blue became the key. Her eggs were placed with foster parents from a related bird species so she could lay more. This bold approach worked. Slowly the numbers began to rise.

Over the decades the population grew through ongoing care and protection of predator free habitats. All living Black Robins today come from that tiny group of survivors. This year the count reached around three hundred and fifty birds. They thrive on two protected islands in the Chatham group.

This recovery fills me with quiet hope. It shows what focused human effort and respect for nature can achieve when a species is nearly lost. Watching such a turnaround reminds me how precious every living creature is and how much good can come from never giving up.

The Black Robin story stands as a bright example of successful wildlife recovery in New Zealand and beyond.

Could everyone involved with Predator Free West Melton please send in their trapping results for September.This is a ver...
28/09/2026

Could everyone involved with Predator Free West Melton please send in their trapping results for September.
This is a very important time of year, refresh all baits in traps etc the more we get this time of year will have an impact later on with how quickly (rats especially) can breed.
Gestation period 21 to 23 days
Can be pregnant again within 24 to 48 hours after giving birth
Sexual maturity: @ 5 weeks old
One female can produce up to 84 offspring in a single year 😮

Thanks

John PFWM 👍

I thought I would share this post always a good sign spring is well & truly on its way, these little guy make a long dis...
07/09/2026

I thought I would share this post always a good sign spring is well & truly on its way, these little guy make a long distance flight from the Solomon island/New Guinea & PNG to NZ after spending the winter there, they fly to NZ to breed, for more information just Google: Shining Cuckoo 👍

Trapping results for August:Rats = 56Hedgehogs = 6Possums = 3Stoats = 0Ferrets = 0Weasels = 0 Rabbits = 13Hares = 1 Trap...
04/09/2026

Trapping results for August:
Rats = 56
Hedgehogs = 6
Possums = 3
Stoats = 0
Ferrets = 0
Weasels = 0

Rabbits = 13
Hares = 1

Trapping since the start of PFWM January 2024:
Rats = 1,363
Hedgehog’s = 768
Possums = 231
Stoats = 2
Ferrets = 55
Weasels = 1

Rabbits since the start October 2025:
Rabbits = 884
Hares = 93

Another decent catch of rats in August it shows there are plenty around, everyone we catch is a huge bonus this time of year leading into spring 👍
Again no ferrets 🤔 & the possum catch is very disappointing.
I’m very surprised we caught as many hedgehogs as we did, 2 were from one property 👍

Thanks again for everyone’s efforts in reducing predators from the West Melton area

John PFWM 👍😃

Hi everyone could everyone involved with Predator Free West Melton please send in their trapping results for August 👍😃Jo...
28/08/2026

Hi everyone could everyone involved with Predator Free West Melton please send in their trapping results for August 👍😃

John PFWM

The Chatham Islands bellbird (Anthornis melanocephala) was found only on the Chatham Islands, approximately 800 kilomete...
13/08/2026

The Chatham Islands bellbird (Anthornis melanocephala) was found only on the Chatham Islands, approximately 800 kilometers east of mainland New Zealand. It was closely related to the mainland bellbird but had developed distinct characteristics through thousands of years of island isolation. Early European visitors left accounts describing its song as notable among the birds of the islands.

European settlement of the Chatham Islands in the 19th century brought introduced cats and rats. The Chatham Islands bellbird had evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and was exposed to novel threats it had not encountered before. Its population declined steadily through the late 19th century as introduced animals spread through the island’s vegetation.

The last confirmed individual was heard calling from forest on Mangere Island in 1906. No confirmed sighting or sound recording was made after that date. The Chatham Islands bellbird disappeared before audio recording technology was widely available to document it. The mainland bellbird still fills New Zealand forests with its call. Its Chatham Islands relative left no recording.

A species known for its voice left no sound behind.

Predator Free West Melton, July 2026 trapping results:Rats = 72Hedgehog’s = 7Possums = 7Stoats = 0Ferrets = 0Weasels = 0...
03/08/2026

Predator Free West Melton, July 2026 trapping results:
Rats = 72
Hedgehog’s = 7
Possums = 7
Stoats = 0
Ferrets = 0
Weasels = 0

Rabbits = 7
Hares = 0

Totals since the start of PFWM January 2024:

Rats = 1,307
Hedgehog’s = 762
Possums = 228
Stoats = 2
Ferrets = 55
Weasels = 1

Rabbits & Hares since Oct 2025:
Rabbits = 871
Hares = 92

Thanks again to everyone involved & helping out to reduce predators & pests from around West Melton 👍😃

Very happy with the rat numbers this month (72) I’ve looked at the numbers for last July & we only caught 18 👍 I’m also surprised we caught so many hedgehogs (7) they are usually tucked away for the winter, last July we only caught 1 hedgehog, unusually no ferrets this month 🤔

Thanks again

John PFWM 👍

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