New Zealand Falcon ( Falco novaeseelandiae ) in Pine Plantations in the Hawke ’ s Bay *

The New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is a rare, endemic species. Its range has been substantially reduced due to destruction of its historical habitat. In recent years, however, the bush form of the New Zealand falcon has been found nesting in clear-cuts in pine plantations in the Central North Island. This study investigated whether or not New Zealand falcons utilise pine plantations in the Hawke’s Bay in a similar way. In addition, experts familiar with the breeding and distribution of New Zealand falcons were surveyed to gain a better understanding of the behavioural attributes of the species. From the results, it is evident that New Zealand falcons are utilising clear-cut areas in Hawke’s Bay forests and it appears the behaviour of breeding pairs is similar throughout New Zealand. The findings of this study will allow forestry companies to make informed decisions on the management of New Zealand falcon in their forests given the increased understanding of the relationship between breeding New Zealand falcon and pine forests. New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) in Pine Plantations in the Hawke’s Bay* Nicola Addison1 , John Holland, Ed Minot 1 Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, P.O. Box 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand Introduction The bush form of the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) has historically nested in tall lowland podocarp forests in the North Island. Habitat loss through logging, coupled with the effects of introduced predators, has severely reduced population numbers (Stewart & Hyde, 2004). This form of the species has been listed as “nationally vulnerable”, indicating that existing threats could further the decrease in population numbers (Hitchmough 2002; Department of Conservation 2006). The species is under threat without some form of intervention (Barea et al., 1997). The first report of falcons targeting pine plantations for nesting purposes was a tentative one in 1948 by a forestry worker in Kaingaroa Forest (Ryder, 1948). More recently this has been confirmed through research undertaken by the Massey University Falcon Research Programme notably the work of Richard Seaton (pers. comm., 2005), and Stewart & Hyde (2004). The largest known population of New Zealand falcons is currently in Kaingaroa forest (R. Seaton pers. comm. 2005). There is a strong association between falcon sightings and clear-cut areas in plantation forests (Stewart & Hyde, 2004). Unconfirmed sightings from around New Zealand suggest that falcons can be found in other plantation forests (Maunder et al. 2005). The purpose of this study is to examine the density and behaviour of New Zealand falcons in Hawke’s Bay forests and to provide information to forest managers that may be of value to the conservation of the species. Research in the Hawke’s Bay forests provides an opportunity to compare the behaviour of New Zealand falcons there with their counterparts in the Kaingaroa Forest, and to determine whether Hawke’s Bay falcons also occupy and breed within the clear-fell areas of pine plantations. If New Zealand falcons are found to occupy and breed in the Hawke’s Bay pine plantations in the same manner as they do in Kaingaroa Forest, they may use other New Zealand plantation forests in a similar way. Study Area The pine plantations used in this study are located in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand and are owned by Pan Pac Forest Products Limited. This is a Japanese owned, fully integrated forestry company that manages five forests in the Hawke’s Bay. Because of logistical constraints only four forests, Gwavas, Kaweka, Esk and Mohaka, were included in the study (Figure 1). Pan Pac’s forests are characterised by rolling to steep hill country and are mostly surrounded by Department of Conservation land to the west and farmland for the remainder. In these forests, compartment size is dictated by the landscape and thus tends to be variable but typically small to moderate. The total area of all of Pan Pac’s forests is 32,500 Ha. Figure 1: Pan Pac Forestry Products Limited study site location map. * This is a refereed paper.