Andrew Thomas with Atareta.

Feathered spitfires
By Josie Dale My first acquaintance with New Zealand falcons (karearea) occurred more than 50 years ago. I lived on a Mackenzie Country sheep station in the foothills of the Southern Alps where the birds with the sharp kek, kek, kek call were known locally as sparrowhawks. Id rein in my pony to watch their wonderful aerobatic skills. Like miniature fighter planes, theyd zoom down in slanting dives to capture an unlucky little bird in flight. Or theyd play, cat-like, with large dragonflies, catching them in the air and temporarily releasing them. These feisty little birds ferociously attacked much larger harrier hawks that entered their territory, until the intruder invariably flapped lazily away as if to say, I wasnt interested in visiting anyway. Today, falcon sightings in the Mackenzie are rare, though the Australasian harrier hawk (kahu) is a common sight. Unlike falcons, theyre not fussy about capturing live food and are frequently seen eating roadside carrion. An endangered species, the New Zealand falcon has been protected since 1970. Numbers are declining, partly due to its ground nesting habit making eggs and chicks vulnerable to stoats, rats, possums, cats and dogs, and its susceptibility to the residual effects of pesticides. Sadly, man is also to blame injured birds rescued for rehabilitation are usually victims of deliberate shooting.

Atareta uses her sharp talons to grasp or strike her prey.

On a recent visit to Rotorua my husband Alistair and I visited the Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust, located in Paradise Valley. Wingspan was established for the research, rehabilitation and captive management of threatened falcons, hawks and owls, and is approved by the Department of Conservation to care for sick and injured birds of prey. An important part of its work is raising public awareness of the birds plight. The centre consists of a small, but interesting falconry museum and a large aviary housing falcons, moreporks, barn owls and harrier hawks. A group of visiting children were especially intrigued by the museum and a display featuring wingspans of raptors. They compared outstretched arms, and delighted giggles ensued when they were outdone by the nearly three-metre wingspan of the extinct Haast eagle, the worlds largest eagle ever. Wed come principally to see falcons, but the heartThe heart-stealer in the aviary stealer in the aviary was was Whisper the morepork. wide-eyed Whisper t
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PHOTO: WINGSPAN

the morepork (ruru). Perched beside her two fluffy foster chicks, her compelling huge eyes stared, as if to say, Youre the ones on display here. Each afternoon the falcons are given flight training. The ancient art of falconry hones their fitness and natural hunting skills in preparation for eventual rehabilitation to the wild. Few people in New Zealand keep falcons and practice falconry because a permit from the Department of Conservation is required to hold a raptor in captivity. Wingspan bird handler Andrew Thomas brought Atareta outside on his thick falconers glove and released her. Its dinner time so shell return when I whistle to signal food, said Andrew. Shell never form a bond with me and its important she doesnt because her eventual release would be compromised. Atareta dived from a pole to snatch meat from Andrews glove. She disappeared into the pine trees behind the aviary, but returned when Andrew whistled. Her astonishing speed and versatility was demonstrated when he whirled a piece of meat attached to a string. It looks like a game but its teaching the hunting skills needed if theyre to survive in the wild, he said. Atareta eventually captured the prize in her talons. The male birds, usually about two-thirds the size of Atareta, are quicker, fiercer and more silent when hunting, Andrew informed us. Falcons can fly up to 230kmh and their eyesight is eight times more powerful than ours. Though they catch mainly small birds and animals, theyre t

capable of catching and killing prey up to six times their own bodyweight. Now, any children out there whod like to hold her? Several hands went up, including those of some great big children. It was a privilege to experience one of these beautiful birds up close. Ineke Smets, another Wingspan falcon handler, brought out Millennium. Millie is imprinted, she said. She was hand-raised and will never be released into the wild because she has no fear of people. We hope shell foster orphan falcon chicks here at the centre. Immediately she was released, Millie flew into the pines. Shes unpredictable and one never knows what shell do, said Ineke, laughing. Millie will decide when she returns handling her is sometimes a little stressful. Eventually hunger prevailed and Millie flew back. Much to the horror of the visitors, she once caught and killed an unfortunate grey duck flying above the paddock, Ineke said. Millie entered and won the meat-on-a-string game, allowing Ineke to secure her on the glove. These little feathered spitfires are truly remarkable birds. It would be a tragedy if, like the Haast eagle, they too became extinct in the wild. The unreserved enthusiasm of the Wingspan staff and volunteers is infectious and for us it was an unforgettable experience. Visitors to Rotorua should not miss it. To learn more, visit www.wingspan.co.nz

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