Bringing back birds: Methven’s new habitat plans take shape

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Plans, plants, and pests.

That’s all the go for the Methven and Foothills Birdsong Initiative Trust's project.

Spokesperson Mac McElwain says they could start working on the new habitat area early next year.

The trust was recently granted $9200 by the Methven Community Board for the development of a landscape plan to extend the existing Garden of Harmony at the southern end of the town.

That plan will be completed by next month to then consult with the community and the Ashburton District Council, McElwain said.

"Hopefully by around April, we will be in a position to dig the first sod.”

The plan will map out where those plants will go in an extension of the Garden of Harmony on the vacant council-owned land around the Methven Resort.

It aims to increase the native birdsong in Methven, with the enlarged Garden of Harmony the focal point of a bird-friendly, native plant sanctuary for community enjoyment and biodiversity education.

But before that can happen, they need to make the area predator-free.

McElwain said they have started placing traps next to the Methven Walkway, which borders most of the town, and all with the council’s approval.

"The object is to make all of Methven have more birdsong, not just the Garden of Harmony area.”

A trap library will also be established for residents to do their bit in their backyards for "a good coverage of the whole town”.

The need for trapping was highlighted following a recent trial that showed large populations of predators in the Methven area, including possums, rats, mice, hedgehogs and stoats.

The high predator numbers explain why recent counts revealed few native birds in the area.

"We intend to turn that around.”

The traps on public land will be clearly marked and locked with security fastenings that are contained in tunnels or boxes and built to DOC-approved specifications.

"Designed to keep prying paws and fingers away from the trapping mechanisms”.

But there is some concern for furry friends, with dogs needing to be kept on a leash on the walkway, while cats were a little trickier.

McElwain said there was a danger that any domestic cats not micro-chipped could be trapped if stoat traps were put out

But for cats that were micro-chipped, the danger was minimal because the traps were designed and baited for stoats. A microchip would turn off the trap if the cat came near, he said.

Understanding the low number of the town’s microchipped pet cats was now part of the project and would likely lead to a more serious conversation with the council, McElwain said.

That’s partly because microchipping cats was not mandatory in the Ashburton District.

The Selwyn District became the first council in the South Island, and the fourth nationally, to introduce mandatory microchipping in 2022.