Some sad news from a New Zealand falcon monitoring programme on the East Coast of the North Island
The New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is a rare endemic (only found in New Zealand) bird. It is one of our few native predators remaining. It’s conservation status is Nationally Vulnerable; there are 650 pairs of Bush Falcon remaining.
These photos of a Bush Falcon family are part of a study that Ecoworks NZ are carrying out with Hikurangi Forest Farms to look at NZ falcon distribution and chick productivity rates in HFF Forests on the East Coast. Cameras were set up during late Dec 2013 at Huanui Forest.
Cats are one of the major threats to NZ Falcons which are highly vulnerable to predation during their nesting period. By mid January this cat had discovered the nest site and it is suspected the chicks were probably eaten ,as they would not have had time to fledge.
Not a pretty picture at the end … however a common story that Kiwis should know about.
Thanks to Steve Sawyer and Paul Martinson for sending these photos through.
- Falcon Nest 1
- Falcon Nest 2
- Falcon Nest 3
- Cat Invasion
