August 2012 Issue - Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ

Sam McLeod laying traps in the Edwards ValleyOtira, and more recently from the WaimakaririBridge upstream, through into the White and upto Campbell Pass. Whio sighting cards are placedin the key huts, with the DOC biodiversity teamat Rangiora monitoring numbers from reportedsightings.This extensive Coast to Coast predatorcontrol network also provides protection forother bird species including kea, rock wren,falcon and particularly Great Spotted kiwi, whichcan be heard from several huts in the area.Private trapping in the Crow Valleycommenced in 2008, with whio returningand successfully breeding the next year afteran absence of several decades. They providecompany for a male kiwi that journeyed over thetops from McGrath Creek several years ago.To contain the potential movement ofmustelids up the true right of the WaimakaririRiver, and improve predator control at andon Bealey Spur, the local community has alsoimproved their trap placement and monitoringover the past year, with encouraging results.Together, all these trapping regimes,combined with DOC’s extensive work in theHawdon and Poulter Valleys, give an impressivecoverage of the national park and will hopefullyhalt the decline of native bird species.Trampers and climbers will no doubt bethe best judges of the success of these recoveryprogrammes, and can assist by recordingsightings in hut logbooks or reporting them toDOC. For a comprehensive record of the Trust’swork visit the website www.apwt.org.nz and seetheir display at the Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre.Gerald Bruce-Smith is the secretary and trustee of the Arthur’sPass Wildlife Trust and a NZAC member.Editor’s note: During a five-day trip to the Hawdon and Edwardsvalleys this February, I was impressed by the birdlife. We sawnumerous kea, heard kiwi every night, and observed twogroups of rock wren.FMCWeasels: small but deadly38FMC Bulletin • August 2012