Stoats coming out of their dens

Trappers are now checking the stoat traps every seven days — that’s a lot of walking checking 1580 traps across the island! It’s important that the traps are always attractive to a passing stoat, given this is the start of the peak time of year to catch stoats as they come out of their dens, thus the bait needs to be refreshed regularly and the traps cleared.

The below photo is one stoat from of a family seen at a residence at Thompson's Point in January 2020, and this week 15 stoats were spotted walking across the road by a local. Spring is a really important time of year to report stoat sightings — please call 0800 BIRDSONG, email info@tekorowaiowaiheke.org, or fill in our online form if you see a stoat. Sightings of family groups of stoats are of particular interest.