SOUTH WAIRARAPA PROBUS CLUB

FALCONS IN MARTINBOROUGH

Our speaker this month was Jane Lenting speaking on her work with Falcons in Martinborough. Falcons are mostly found in more remote parts of New Zealand but are ideally suited to life in a wine-growing regions as they prey on pest birds (blackbirds, starlings etc). The Karearea reintroduction which Jane is leading here in Martinborough has its basis in an older Marlborough vineyard project.

Jane is Cellar Master at Palliser Estate Vineyard which is a big vineyard plagued with small pest birds leading up to the harvest. Falcons differ from hawks in that in general hawks like road kill while falcons like to catch their prey on the wing. The Karearea or small bush falcon is more common in the Wairarapa area.

Three chicks hatched at Wingspan Rotorua were offered to the South Wairarapa programme. Falconry is an ancient activity and the Rotorua people are very experienced in handling the falcons.

Jane gave us a talk on the process they went through from meeting the chicks to raising them for use in Martinborough. Her talk was illustrated by amazing photos by Pete Monk which gave us a great insight into the falcons and the problems with preparing them for the work. DOC consent was required for the programme to ensure there would be no negative effects that had not been anticipated.
The prospects for obtaining that consent are good as there are a few falcons in the wild in the South Wairarapa. It is hoped that the falcons which have been released will mate with local birds eventually. Falcons are not taught by their parents how to hunt and kill. It just seems to be an instinctive thing. The New Zealand falcon is only found in New Zealand.

Those raising the birds are very careful not to allow the young birds to associate humans with feeding. They are only fed by their mothers or failing that it is done anonymously. The person feeding them stays out of sight and does not talk to prevent the birds “imprinting” with humans, especially when the birds are tiny.

We had all heard quite a bit about the falcon programme but came away with much more of an insight into the life of a falcon and the development from the chick through to the adult bird.

Anyone who would like more information on our Probus Club and our various interest groups are very welcome to contact Margaret Griffiths on 306-8102.