Falcons get cashboost from forestry

One of Marlborough’s largest forestry managers is helping to feather the nest of the endangered New Zealand falcon, or ka¯rearea.

Merrill and Ring, managers of Australian-owned New Forests’ 4600-hectare Blenheim Estate, has handed over a $5000 cheque to the Marlborough Falcon Trust, based at Brancott Estate near Fairhall and offered help protect the birds’ future, in an ongoing annual initiative. The forestry manager also plans to educate contractors who may come across ka¯rearea on the job.

‘‘One thing about forestry is we create a really good environment for the birds to nest in,’’ says Siobhan Allen, technical forester at Merrill and Ring.

‘‘But because they are ground nesters, it also puts them in danger from the work that we do in the forest as well. So I went to the falcon trust and said that I really wanted to educate my contractors on what to see coming into the breeding season.

‘‘In response, New Forests are supporting them in a new partnership where they will get $5000 annually to help them continue their work.’’

The Marlborough Falcon Trust is a volunteer-based charitable trust dedicated to the conservation of the New Zealand falcon. But spotting the difference between the more typical harrier hawk which you will likely see nibbling on road kill, and the rare species of NZ falcon is just one of the hurdles to educating the public.

‘‘There are 38 species of Falcon worldwide, eight of which have what we have in New Zealand - which is these very long tails and very short broad wings,’’ says Falcon Trust aviary manager Diana Dobson.

‘‘One lives in the New Zealand, and the rest live in only Central and South America. So they are particularly rare and endemic to New Zealand. This [initiative] is going to be a huge impact for the future of the New Zealand falcon.

‘‘Also, it’s just such a good relationship with these birds being forest dwellers and having forestry on board to help us. It couldn’t be a better match.’’

There are approximately 6000 falcons left in New Zealand, and trust chair, Andy Frost, says support from the forestry industry is a crucial step in boosting falcon numbers.

‘‘We always ask: how can we get that number to 7000? And it all comes down to education.’’

Speaking from Sydney, New Forests’ operations manager for softwood, Matthew Crapp, says the work with the trust fits perfectly with New Forests’ sustainable approach to forestry investment.

‘‘The initial $5000 funding contribution to the trust is the first of what we see as an ongoing commitment to their work. It’s the reason why we enjoy working across regional New Zealand, because there are some great opportunities with work local community to improve landscape level outcomes.

‘‘There are some really motivated people [in Marlborough] dedicating their time to improving the environment.’’

DAVID JAMES/STUFF Andy Frost, chair of the Marlborough Falcon Trust, Siobhan Allen, technical forester at Merrill and Ring, Diana Dobson, Falcon Trust aviary manager, with Fern the falcon, and Lizzie Macfarlane, a handler and volunteer at Marlborough Falcon Trust.