Predators targeted before bringing birds in
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Predators of birds must be first tackled before building a Canterbury nature sanctuary, a Methven Lions spokesperson says.
Mac McElwain is leading the Lions' Methven birdsong initiative, which aims to bring back birdsong to the area by turning some vacant council reserve land into a native sanctuary.
“If you plan to establish a habitat you have to protect it.
“The second you start a bird-friendly habitat, the predators will be equally aware of it and be sitting there waiting for lunch to arrive.”
The plan is to first start removing the predators from the equation while they work towards a plan and permission for the reserve in Methven.
“It’s two separate things that have a huge amount of overlap.”
Establishing a trap library will be the project’s first step to help locals trap pests and predators in their backyards.
That plan got a $10,000 boost from the Methven Community Board last week.
The trapping library is estimated to cost $46,850 to purchase or build a range of traps that are then borrowed by locals to begin eradicating pests - including rats, possums, hedgehogs, stoats, weasels, ferrets and feral cats.
Trapping technology has developed considerably in recent years, McElwain said.
Some traps were now able to detect if a micro-chipped domestic cat was inside, and not go off, with feral cats being the target, he said.
Microchipping cats is not mandatory in the Ashburton District, and the council has yet to consider this option.
With the pest control plan underway, the Methven birdsong initiative is seeking the go-ahead for the other aspect of the plan to establish the sanctuary at its preferred location.
Chairperson Kelvin Holmes said the Methven Community Board is supportive of the birdsong initiative and their plans for the reserve but it’s a process.
“We have started the process with the council to go through things like the land use and occupancy,” Holmes said.
The unused council reserve they have their sights set on is a grass paddock with only the historic RDR pipe shed in the middle.
It backs onto the Garden of Harmony which is an area of council reserve already planted as a community space.
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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0% Yes - we like to be prepared
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0% Nah
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0% This is on my to-do list!
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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