Falcon

New Zealand has a native falcon species. Karearea is its name in Te Reo Maori.

Image borrowed from the website in the link above

With all the vineyards in Marlborough and a plethora of introduced (mainly European) bird species that love feasting on grapes some bright spark had an idea that falcons might be the answer. 

There is a breeding programme in this region increasing the population of them in the viticultural areas so it's not uncommon to see them flying over vineyards locally and from there spilling out into their more natural environment of native forest.

Regularly seen flying over this bay, one (I assume it's one) has taken to landing in our yard and doesn't seem to mind proximity of humans. A few days ago I was weeding a confined corner, took a barrowload of weeds to the compost and was wheeling back when the Karearea took off from virtually under the front of my barrow. It had landed silently and was inspecting the newly weeded area (possibly not coincidentally underneath a bird feeder - but one not yet in use) and departed with a glorious lift-off as I returned.

Although that wasn't my first close encounter, I never expect another one.  However I wonder now whether European birds around the feeder might end up being falcon-dinner. I guess nature has to take its course in that respect.... sparrows might be more plentiful and plumper for being fed but the falcons have to live too.