Wairarapa Key Native Ecosystem Management Areas - Greater ...

• Inform Greater Wellington of any incidences or interference involving
toxic bait, bait stations, traps or signage.
2. Objectives
• To maintain the possum population to a level below a 5% Residual Trap
Catch (RTC) and encourage native bush regeneration and seed dispersal to
outlying areas.
• Possum monitoring was carried out in March 2006. Three trap lines
consisting of 10 traps each over three nights resulted in no possums being
caught.
• To reduce predator numbers, resulting in a build up of native birds.
3. Operational area
Approximately 29 hectares of regenerating/remnant native bush, sited west of
Carterton on Cobden Road.
Altitude ranges from 110 metres around the Upper Belvedere entrance, rising
up to the main high point at 170 metres.
On the western boundary
of this forest remnant is a
wetland area. Mudfish
discovered several years
ago have added to its
importance. Forest and
Bird members have
carried out pest plant
control and this year have
completed a major
planting and revegetation
programme.
The wetlands project has
been a learning curve for
the Forest and Bird members. Their early plantings of mänuka, kahikatea and
some species of coprosma’s literally drowned due to high water levels. The
water course through the wetland has now been cleaned out, water levels
controlled, and carex have been planted right the way along the drain. This has
resulted in the area drying out and the plantings are now thriving.
With the exclusion of stock, and the continuing pest animal and pest plant
control, the understory is regenerating well. Fensham Reserve is a fine example
of remnant lowland forest on a flood plain which contrasts with the
regenerating and older areas.
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