Haemish Reid, a resident of Millington Road in Maunu, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in his backyard over the past few years. What once seemed like a quiet patch of land has now become a thriving haven for native birds, including the majestic tūī and the elusive kākā.
It all started nine years ago when Haemish hardly ever spotted a tūī in his area. Everything changed when he decided to take action against the pest animals lurking around his property. “I noticed possums walking along my pool fence while watching TV at night,” Haemish recalls. “It got me thinking that I needed to do my bit.”
With a strong sense of duty and a desire to make a difference, Haemish began his journey into trapping. Starting with just a few possum traps around his property, he soon realised the impact he could make. Encouraged by the results, he rallied his neighbours and expanded the trap line into the bush behind his house.
Collaborating with the community, Haemish and his neighbours embarked on a mission to protect their surroundings. With support from organisations like Tiakina Whangārei and the Northland Regional Council, they received new traps and guidance to bolster their efforts.
Over the past three years, Haemish has caught approximately 1,600 pests, ranging from possums to ferrets. His dedication to trapping goes beyond mere pest control; it’s about nurturing a connection with nature and safeguarding New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.
“Trapping has opened my eyes to our unique forests and what we have in NZ,” Haemish reflects. “My goal is to see kiwi on our back lawn so that we can show our out-of-town visitors what happens in our backyard.”
Haemish’s story is a testament to the power of community action and individual commitment. As he puts it, “We all have a duty of care to try and do something for nature in this country.” With each trap set and every pest caught, Haemish and his fellow conservationists are paving the way for a brighter, predator-free future.
