Wind farm could harm native falcons

Wind turbine blades in Turitea Reserve could hurt New Zealand's endangered native falcons, a board of inquiry has been told.

Biogeography specialist Professor Emeritus of Massey University John Flenley told the Turitea Wind Farm hearing yesterday the planned wind farm could lead to local extinction of the rare bird.

Karearea falcons are more endangered than kiwi, and people have been reporting many falcon sightings in the area recently.

Prof Flenley said he was in favour of wind farms except when they were in nature reserves or on important landscapes.

There was sharp division worldwide about whether wind farms were a risk to birds, he said, but drew the board of inquiry's attention to recorded cases of bird strike.

In one report, an entire cohort of eagles on a Scottish island were wiped out by just one wind turbine, he said.

Prof Flenley also said there would be a 100-year setback to vegetation because of disturbance caused by the development, and a 1000-year setback to soil quality through erosion in some areas.

This would cause increased runoff and more pollutants in the Turitea water reservoir, he said.

He also highlighted research into the importance of the natural landscape for human psychology.

"I predict that if wind farms are built all along the Tararuas from the Gorge to Levin, there will be a rise in urban crime in Palmerston North."