Kārearea to join fighting squadron in battle against pests

ILLYA MCLELLAN/STUFF

Three karearea chicks were set up in their new home in Martinborough to help with pest control on vineyards, but also as part of a conservation effort to restore numbers.

In flight the kārearea resembles a stealth bomber.

And with rapid wing beats and a top speed of about 389kmh they are wreaking havoc on birds that blight vineyards in the premier wine producing region of Martinborough.

Three more of the native falcons have been re-homed at Palliser Estate as part of the area's fighting squadron.

At 28 days old the chicks have reached adult weight and will will grow adult feathers in the coming weeks.

At just 29-days-old the kārearea were settled into their new home at Clouston Vineyard on December 11 as part of a programme that combines pest control with conservation.

Palliser Estate employees have noticed a significant reduction in thrush, blackbird and finch numbers since the falcon programme began in 2014. They also scare seasonal birds like starlings.

Behind the initiative which has seen 10 birds released over four years are Martinborough resident and former Palliser Estate employee Jane Lenting, Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre and Palliser Vineyards.

Just two were lost, one to predation and one to electrocution.

Lenting had heard of a similar effort in Marlborough while she was employed at Palliser and suggested they do the same.

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Rare Bird Shot in Paraparaumu

Monday, 24 April 2017, 4:38 pm
Press Release: Department of Conservation



Rare Bird Shot in Paraparaumu

A New Zealand Falcon/ kārearea has been found shot dead in Nikau Valley, Paraparaumu.

The birds are fully protected by law, and Department of Conservation (DOC) are investigating the killing. Whoever shot the bird may face up to 2 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Simon and Katie Ford were devastated to discover the bird – still warm – in their back paddock in Eucalyptus Way last Thursday.

“We are planting native trees and want to encourage the birds back. We were shocked someone would shoot such a beautiful animal,” said Katie.

“We did hear from neighbours that some teenage boys at our end of the valley have been seen target shooting in the last week. A few people have responded on our valley Facebook page about seeing the bird in the few days prior and are horrified that it has been killed.”

DOC biodiversity ranger David Moss says shooting the falcon is unacceptable, no matter what the circumstances.

“It was a direct hit from a low calibre weapon, such as a .22 and appears to be intentional. For someone to shoot this bird is appalling. Not only is the kārearea a threatened species, it is a symbol of New Zealand and graces our 20-dollar note.” 

 

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Karearea wins 2012 bird of the year

A bird known for its romantic yet blood-thirsty nature has won the title of 2012 Bird of the Year in a Forest & Bird poll.

The karearea, or New Zealand falcon, won 1261 votes in the conservation organisation’s eighth annual poll, followed by the kokako in second place with 965 votes and the ruru with 663 votes.

Forest & Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell says the karearea is a great romantic, with birds going to great lengths to woo each other.

“During courtship, couples will perform an aerial ballet, swapping food mid-flight, performing mock attack dives or spiralling gracefully landward.”

But the bird also is a skilled hunter, able to kill prey larger than itself with a lethal bite to the neck.

Read more: 

http://www.3news.co.nz/Karearea-wins-2012-bird-of-the-year/tabid/1160/articleID/272243/Default.aspx#ixzz28tSetBAZ