New Zealand’s Only Endemic Raptor
The Kārearea, A predator of the skies, a master of ariel displays and a lethal feathered hunter, known for divebombing prey and reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. Lake Hāwea Station is home to a healthy growing population of breeding pairs. Nationally there are just 3,000 pairs remaining. Like all falcons, our Kārearea do not build nests. They make a scrape on the ground, under the shelter of a rocky outcrop or in an emergent forest tree into which it lays its eggs. The schist rock bluffs of LHS and remnant Beech forest are an ideal nesting habitat and provide excellent shelter from predation and cover to ambush prey from above.
LHS is proud to undergo extensive pest control efforts to minimise predation on our native species and help our bird life to grow and thrive. Kārearea and other birds (of which make up the bulk of their diet) are threatened by numerous introduced species. Rats, stoats, ferrets, possums and Feral cats make the top of the list and are known to predate on Kārearea, young offspring and eggs. Predator trapping networks and night shooting are effective humane solutions that LHS undertake to lower the risk of predation for the beloved species and allow a growing food base for our Kārearea. We love seeing the falcon out and about on the property and we are continuing to improve the perfect environment for the Kārearea to thrive.
Mitchell Green, Lake Hāwea Station Guide & Pest Control
New Zealand’s Only Endemic Raptor
The Kārearea, A predator of the skies, a master of ariel displays and a lethal feathered hunter, known for divebombing prey and reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. Lake Hāwea Station is home to a healthy growing population of breeding pairs. Nationally there are just 3,000 pairs remaining. Like all falcons, our Kārearea do not build nests. They make a scrape on the ground, under the shelter of a rocky outcrop or in an emergent forest tree into which it lays its eggs. The schist rock bluffs of LHS and remnant Beech forest are an ideal nesting habitat and provide excellent shelter from predation and cover to ambush prey from above.
New Zealand’s Only Endemic Raptor
The Kārearea, A predator of the skies, a master of ariel displays and a lethal feathered hunter, known for divebombing prey and reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. Lake Hāwea Station is home to a healthy growing population of breeding pairs. Nationally there are just 3,000 pairs remaining. Like all falcons, our Kārearea do not build nests. They make a scrape on the ground, under the shelter of a rocky outcrop or in an emergent forest tree into which it lays its eggs. The schist rock bluffs of LHS and remnant Beech forest are an ideal nesting habitat and provide excellent shelter from predation and cover to ambush prey from above.
New Zealand’s Only Endemic Raptor
The Kārearea, A predator of the skies, a master of ariel displays and a lethal feathered hunter, known for divebombing prey and reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. Lake Hāwea Station is home to a healthy growing population of breeding pairs. Nationally there are just 3,000 pairs remaining. Like all falcons, our Kārearea do not build nests. They make a scrape on the ground, under the shelter of a rocky outcrop or in an emergent forest tree into which it lays its eggs. The schist rock bluffs of LHS and remnant Beech forest are an ideal nesting habitat and provide excellent shelter from predation and cover to ambush prey from above.
New Zealand’s Only Endemic Raptor
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