Many of you will have seen the friendly South Island robin when out walking in forests. While common, this birds is also at risk from introduced predators.
Robin have been killed by 1080 in the past when different types of bait such as carrot was used.
Our scientists wanted to check whether there was any risk from modern cereal baits. They also measured the effects of 1080 pest control on robin survival and breeding.
1080 treatment enhances survival and nesting
We monitored robin at Mount Stanley in the Marlborough Sounds after 1080 use. We also tracked birds in an area without pest control.
All robins survived through the pest control operation.
Nesting success was nine times higher after 1080 treatment than in the comparison area. This resulted in seven times more chicks.
A year later robins had slightly higher nesting success in the 1080 treatment area than in the comparison area.
Adult birds also faired much better over the winter after pest control than without.
84% of robins survived compared to 37% in the non-treatment area. Stoat levels remained high into the summer in this area.
Without 1080 treatment high stoat levels wipe out most nests and also kill adult birds.