Thread: Goodbye possums, rats and stoats

Originally Posted by tetawa

Have been at a block that has not had poison ever, but the odd trap has been set. The possums were numerous, running up the road in, hear them around the dwelling at night. The Tui's and Pigeons and other birds were also there in great numbers also. Confusing.

Nothing confusing about that. Years ago before numerious 1080 drops areas had heaps of possums, rats and heaps of birds. After 1080 the same areas had little to no possums, still rats and fuck all birds.
Private blocks that have refused 1080 drops or poisons still have plenty of possums, rats etc but have birds in numbers 3 times that of a 1080 block a few kms down the road. Thats real facts, ive seen it , been there done that so i have always believed 1080 is doing more harm than good in many places.
A real eye opener will be when we head back to the cobb valley after the second 1080 drop.
After going there for the first time earlier this year after its first 1080 drop the bird numbers were huge compared to the dead zones im used to hunting. Of cause what were the bird numbers like before the drop?
Nearly certainly at least as much if not more as it was to short a time frame after the drop for any reduction in pest numbers to have a effect on bird numbers. (only be deaths due to 1080) But pass experience in 1080 areas that get done more than once the bird numbers drop right off and never recover from the pre 1080 . Im betting without a doubt the bird song will be greatly reduced in the COBB from this second drop, maybe never to recover if continued drops of 1080 carry on as part of the next wave of BS that is pest free NZ