It is kārearea/NZ Falcon nesting season again, and a local group is asking for sightings of the birds to be reported.

The Kārearea Project, led by Cardrona-Treble Cone, is now in its seventh year of research to understand and protect kārearea in Central Otago. 

Kārearea are about halfway through their nesting season, and the project is following multiple nesting pairs - but it is seeking more to help understand the local population better.

Despite being an endemic species, with a high threat classification and low population density, kārearea are poorly studied, project member Tom Reeves said.

“Our aim is to estimate the breeding population size and territory size, quantify nest survival rates and causes of nest failures, estimate adult survival rates, and identify management actions that benefit the conservation of this endemic raptor,” he said.

“To do this effectively we need to monitor as many pairs and nests as possible.”

Tom said the group is interested in any kārearea sightings, especially of pairs, nests or nesting behavior (territorial swooping, pairs returning to a similar spot again and again, fledglings).

“We are also interested in any information on threats or fatalities of kārearea (predation, window strike, persecution, vehicle strike, electrocution).” 

Tom said the group is interested in reports from across the district.

If people observe any of these behaviours they should make a note of location (GPS/map screenshot/detailed description) and what the birds are doing and report the sighting here, email [email protected], or call on 0220203647. 

“Any photos are a great help too,” he said.

People are advised not to approach any suspected falcon nest as this could cause nest failure or injury to themselves or the birds.