Falcon project ruffles feathers

SCOTT HAMMOND / The Marlborough Express

PIGEON PREDATOR: Dave Monahan says in the 16 years he has owned pigeons, he has never lost so many since falcons started to fly into town.

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A Blenheim couple are warning others in Marlborough that the native falcon is becoming a predator closer to town than most people think.

Falcon numbers in the district have been on the rise since 2005, when the Falcons for Grapes Project was set up to boost the native falcon population to help prevent grape damage in vineyards caused by other birds.

In the initiative, falcon chicks are relocated into nest boxes in vineyards in the Wairau Valley. They are then released as pairs in an attempt to raise the breeding population.

But Dave and Sue Monahan say the falcons are preying on their pet pigeons.

At Christmas, the Monahan's had 15 white fantailed dovecoat pigeons. This week, they had just four left. Mr Monahan said falcons had eaten the other nine, leaving only piles of feathers.

He said it was not uncommon to see falcons flying near their property or close to town.

The Monahans support the conservation efforts, but believe the breeding programmes should be restricted to more remote areas where they would not impact on other native birds and people's pets.

"Where is the balance in all this?" Mrs Monahan asked.

"We know the falcons are being reared for the main purpose of eliminating the birds that damage the grapes. However, we feel the complete picture has not been portrayed and the impact of the falcons on all bird life, native and introduced, is not taken into consideration, as well as the impact on people and our environment."

Mr Monahan said he knew the project could not be stopped but wanted to warn people to be aware that pets, such as pigeons and kittens, could be in the falcons' firing line.

Marlborough Conservation Trust field manager Colin Wynn said for the past couple of years falcons had been spotted in the Hammerichs Rd area, where the Monahans live.

He said there was a pair that frequented the area, but the male was electrocuted on a power pole about a month ago.

Normally, the male would hunt smaller birds. With him gone, the female may have started to prey on birds which were easier to catch, such as pigeons, he said.

Mr Wynn said even if falcons were bred in more remote areas, they could still fly for several kilometres.

"The falcons have more rights to be in that airspace than the pigeons. Our endangered native birds have a right to be there."

Mr Wynn said it was impossible to train a falcon to distinguish between a pet bird and a wild bird.

Department of Conservation South Marlborough area manager Dave Hayes said DOC supported the Marlborough Falcon Trust's efforts and hoped to work with the trust and the community to minimise conflict.

However, people needed to be aware that falcons were a protected species and any action to harm these birds could be subject to a fine of up to $100,000 or six months' imprisonment.

- The Marlborough Express