Protecting Our Native Birds from Predators
Welcome to Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson
Traps
Easy to use traps that help you target rats, possums and mustelids. We guide you through setup so you can start protecting native wildlife with confidence
Community
Join a local network of people working together to protect native birds. Every household that takes part strengthens the health of our forests and wildlife.
Equipment
We supply proven field tested gear that is built to last. From bait stations to trap boxes, everything is selected for reliability, safety and ease of use.
Support
You are never on your own. Our team offers setup help, trapping tips and ongoing advice to make sure your efforts are successful and sustainable
About Predator Free Waitakere/Swanson
Protecting Our Native Birds from Predators
Predator Free Waitakere Swanson is a grassroots conservation group working to restore native birdlife by removing invasive predators. Since 2020 we have helped locals trap thousands of rats, possums and mustelids. These species threaten our forests, birds and ecosystems.
We provide subsidised traps, expert advice and a community platform where every catch counts. Whether you are a seasoned trapper or just starting out, we help you make a real difference. Together we are building a safer future for tui, kereru and all the native species that call this place home.
It’s up to our locals to make a difference and adopt a large-scale predator free initiative, starting in their own backyards. We hope to encourage and bring our community together with the common goal of protecting, restoring and safeguarding Waitākere’s unique species for our families and future.
Our Groups main focus is increased awareness and to encourage trapping on private land. We place a high importance on our locals to get involved and put in the mahi and begin trapping themselves. More active trappers provided with the right tools to protect the native wildlife in such a massive area.
Whatever the reason to get involved it is with Community and Collaborative effort we can reduce the introduced and invasive species and help make Predator Free by 2050, a very reachable goal with many hands
Predator Free Waitākere/Swanson is managed completely by locals volunteering within the community giving their personal time, knowledge, sweat and tears into this project, all brought together by a range of motivations to achieve a common goal.
whether it be to:
Bring more natives to their backyard and enjoy a personal bird sanctuary
Reducing personal garden and home destruction, veges dug out and eaten, cables and walls damaged by pests moving in to your home (saving on repair costs)
Give back to the community or put yourself out there as a way to meet new people in the area
Keeping your family safe from diseases and contaminated food spread by rodents
Looking out for your pets, putting a stop to egg and feed stealers in your chook pen, flea infestations
Learn together and bond with your children and family
Ronald Richards
Founder CEO
How To Support Us
Donate Traps to us Via Forest and Birds - Give a Trap
Use this platform to support Predator Free Waitakere/ Swanson. Give a trap to our group and they organize the supply and delivery of the trap directly to us. Once we have received your gift, we will put it to work helping our birds. Find out more on the Forest and Bird website.
Buy Our Traps and Join Our Projects
Buy traps from us to help our group grow, not only are our traps subsidized to our local trappers but all funds go into furthering our goals and giving back to the community. Dont want to purchase a trap but still help out,You can also donate directly to us via the shop.
Show your support to everyone while you're out and about and Buy Our Merch
Locally designed just for us by our talented drawmedave these logos represent our group with a proud westie humor that's sure to catch eyes and be a conservation starter for the predator free movement.
Want to volunteer your time or get involved in other ways?
Share your ideas, feedback or express interest in wanting to be more involved with us.
Contact us,
We would love to hear from you!
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Possum Control Helps Protect Bush And Wildlife
Historic Blog Post - January 23, 2023
Possum Control Helps Protect Bush And Wildlife
One of the biggest threats to our native forest is the possum as they are the key species in the death of canopy trees. Possums are also a problem in the garden, eating fruit, vegetables and many trees and shrubs. Native wildlife and bird numbers decline due to possums competing for food and they can also predate on birds eggs and chicks in the nest.
If you have possums living on your property and damaging your bush and gardens, one of the most effective, simple and safe methods of catching them is the Timms trap. A Timms trap is a tough, lightweight plastic box that humanely kills a possum upon capture. It can be set on the ground or attached to a tree, fence or roof. It also can be secured by pegging into the ground or by threading a cord through a drilled hole in the back or side of the trap before tying to a branch. If the trap is not secured, a scavenging dog could run off with the dead possum and the trap.
A Timms trap should be set overnight with a piece of fresh fruit such as apple, orange or kiwifruit as bait. A mix of cinnamon, icing sugar and flour sprinkled around the trap and coating the fruit acts as additional lure.
Other control options or strategies for reducing possum numbers include. Possum bait such as Talon, Pindone, Pestoff or Campaign in a suitable bait station. Possum bait will also control rats. Cage traps are ideal for sites where poison baits are unable to be used. Protection systems such as protective barriers around trees and shrubs or possum proof fences can be useful. Repellents or chemical preparations can be applied to individual trees or shrubs to provide temporary protection against possums. Commercial pest control companies or controllers and night shooting are other options.
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