The Eastern Bays Songbird Project is continuing to work towards its target of distributing 500 free rat traps throughout the local community.
At the end of September, 51 lucky locals walked away with their own trap, bringing the total number of rat traps distributed by the Songbird project to 440.
The summer series of free rat trap giveaways begins on October 27. Check the Songbird Project website for all dates and locations: songbird.org.nz
Ōrākei Local Board member Toni Millar says the project is very important for local birdlife.
“We’re very proud to support this group, and every free rat trap they give away will help increase the number and diversity of native birds in our gardens and local reserves,” she says.
The project targets Auckland’s Eastern Bays, covering 1380ha of urban Auckland directly facing the pest-free islands of the Hauraki Gulf. It includes the suburbs of Glendowie, St Heliers, Kohimarama, Mission Bay and Ōrākei.
“The group is eager to see the Eastern Bays full of tūī, pīwakawaka (fantail) and kereru, along with visiting kākāriki, korimako (bellbird) and kākā. They are working to significantly reduce mammal pests to enable this to happen,” says Ms Millar.
Visit the Songbird Project website for more information on their work and the free rat trap giveaway.