Updated Timms Trap and Recent Phase of Testing Summary

The current phase of testing can be summarised as follows:

Sunday 24th October - Saturday 30th October - Sound lure operating in conjunction with a range of sounds from the traditional profile (stoat, rats, distressed rabbit).   Significant activity in the area including repeated interaction with the trap station with lure operating.  Up to five visits a night with significant time spent at the location almost exclusively with brush tailed possums.

Sunday 31st October- Thursday 4th November - Sound lure operating making a range (five) of brush tailed possum sounds playing at a one minute interval.   Significant activity in the area including repeated interaction/return visits to the site and trap station area with lure operating.   Some evidence of animals leaving the area at speed but based on the time stamps and basic animal identification these animals returned shortly afterwards.  Animals present included a mother and baby and several adult males all of whom remained on site for extended periods of time.

Friday 5th November - Wednesday 10th November - pest removal phase during a five night period four brush tail possums were removed at the location.   There was a fifth activation where there was clear evidence of a possum having sprung the trap but managed to avoid being caught.   Due to technical errors with the trail camera last recordings took place on Thursday 4th November (moisture) however still photos taken the following morning.    The morning of the 10th the lure was operating but there was no evidence of interaction and the bait was not removed.

Thursday 11th November - Saturday 13th November - We left the Timms trap at the site but removed the sound lure due to the weather conditions and to see what would be happening.   The trap was baited with apple (as it had been since Friday 5th).   During this period there were no activations at the trap location or evidence of the bait being taken, and the site remained static.

Sunday 14th November - Overnight we replaced the sound lure for the first time in three nights (which had the same apple bait since the 10th).   When we observed the site the following morning the trap had been sprung, the apple had been pulled from the trap and had been significantly eaten.   As there was no camera monitoring the site (as there hasn't been since the 4th) there was no direct evidence of what had occurred but it seemed clear that a possum had been in the area.   

The stoat box, with salted rabbit meat has been static the entire time.   We now have in our possession cameras in which we will be able to use to monitor the site and record footage of what is occurring and we indeed intend to at the first available opportunity (ie weather permitting).

I feel compelled at this time to again issue a disclaimer about this testing.   This phase of testing is being conducted at a single site a short distance from a location where I live.  It is not intended to be scientific with comprehension proof of what is happening it is merely a record of what is occurring at the moment and I am well aware the variables that are being used are very basic (and there is no alternative).  It is very much conducted by a non scientific teacher in spare time.   If you would like to conduct testing using the equipment an the sound lure we have units available for use, please get in contact with myself via the blog.