Keep an eye on the skies for kārearea this spring

Spring marks the start of breeding season for kārearea, New Zealand's only native falcon, and across the Upper Clutha Basin they're busy defending territories, raising chicks and reminding anyone who wanders a little too close to a nest exactly whose patch of sky they're flying through.

For some residents, that introduction comes in the form of an unexpected dive-bomb.

Six nests and counting

Researchers with the Kārearea Project have already identified six nests this season, the latest chapter in an eight-year effort to better understand one of New Zealand's most remarkable birds.

And despite years of monitoring, many of the big questions remain unanswered.

Kārearea are found throughout the Upper Clutha, from townships and lifestyle blocks to remote valleys and high-country tops. Yet they occur at surprisingly low densities, with researchers estimating there may be only one breeding pair for every 25 square kilometres.

They're clearly here. The challenge is understanding how well they're doing.

A bird that's still keeping its secrets

What researchers are seeing is both encouraging and concerning.

Kārearea appear to be widespread across the landscape, but early findings suggest female survival rates and nest success may be lower than expected.

Researchers are also exploring the pressures birds face as they increasingly share space with people. Towns may provide attractive habitat, but they can also expose birds to hazards such as vehicle strikes and window collisions.

Meanwhile, life isn't much easier in the backcountry.

Unlike many birds of prey, kārearea nest on the ground, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable to introduced predators. Ferrets are thought to be responsible for a significant number of nest failures, while stoats, cats, possums and hedgehogs can all pose a threat.

The result is a species that is easy to admire but still surprisingly difficult to fully understand.

That's where the community comes in

Researchers can only watch so much of the sky.

Many nest discoveries have come directly from public sightings, helping build a clearer picture of where kārearea are breeding and how they're using the landscape.

In particular, researchers are keen to hear about:

• pairs of kārearea

• dive-bombing or defensive behaviour

• birds regularly seen in the same location

Even older observations can be useful. Kārearea often return to the same nesting areas year after year, meaning a sighting from several seasons ago may still help point researchers in the right direction.

Seen a kārearea?

If you've spotted one, email hello@whakatipuwildlifetrust.org.nz with:

• where you saw it

• when you saw it

• what it was doing

Every sighting helps add another piece to the puzzle. Eight years into the project, researchers are still uncovering new insights about how kārearea use the Upper Clutha landscape and what they need to thrive.

If you've ever been dive-bombed by a kārearea...

Don't take it personally.

When kārearea are nesting, they're fiercely protective. In fact, they're considered among the most aggressive falcons in the world when it comes to defending their young.

What feels like a personal vendetta is usually just a dedicated parent making sure you keep moving.

The birds also become easier to spot at this time of year. Nesting season runs from August to January, when adults are selecting nest sites, incubating eggs and hunting to feed growing chicks. Later in the season, newly fledged birds often announce their presence noisily as they begin exploring the world beyond the nest.

Give them space

If you encounter a nesting bird, the best response is a simple one: back off and give it room.

Researchers say nests fail every year because of human disturbance. Moving away when a bird starts swooping helps conserve the energy it needs to hunt, raise chicks and defend against genuine threats.

After all, if a kārearea decides you're too close for comfort, it's usually a sign that one of New Zealand's most extraordinary native birds is doing exactly what nature intended: protecting the next generation.

Photo credit: Mitchell Green