Hastings Golf Course celebrates 1000 kills in predator-free effort, bird life thriving

A programme set up to rid the Hastings Golf Course of predators has just recorded its 1000th kill.

Established in 2019 with help from Predator-Free NZ and a local DoC conservationist, the idea was formed after the head green keeper at the time, Gordon Trenbath, noticed a stoat at the club late in 2018.

Project co-ordinator Murry McNae said the 1000th kill, seven years on, marked a significant milestone with the 53 DOC200 traps spread around the golf course.

“Our average kill rate per year has been pretty consistent at around 150.”

Murray McNae setting a trap in 2019, hoping to get the Hastings Golf Course predator-free.

He said the total kills comprised 498 rats, 307 mice, 159 hedgehogs, and 36 mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets).

A range of baits, including rabbit jerky, was used in the traps, but McNae said a recent change had proven even more successful.

“After reading about a Wellington programme using Fix and Fogg peanut butter, we switched to using that, with really good results.”

McNae was pleased to report that bird life was now thriving around the course, and they had a small team of ladies who maintained nectar feeders for them.

“The availability of water, too is also important for birds, and as there were no ponds or lakes on the course, we installed four bird-baths around the course which are automatically filled via a small cistern connected to each one.”