September is the time to start checking out previously-used kākāriki karaka nest sites for possible re-use at the beginning of the main nesting season (September). I was watching a nest hole used in the last two seasons for signs of activity, when a pair of kārearea (NZ falcon) spiralled down from above, one landing on a branch a few metres off the ground, the other on the ground. One appeared to be holding a hefty rotten stick, I guessed it may have alighted on a branch that snapped under its weight, then for some reason refused to let go and spiralled down holding the stick.
Anyway, my focus changed from kākāriki karaka nest-watching to kārearea photography. As soon as I started clicking, the pair of them took flight and flew past me about one metre over my head. One landed on a branch about eight metres away, but the other landed on a log at about my head height two metres behind me. Kārearea are well known for dive-bombing intruders who get too close to their nest, and I initially thought that's what had happened. I subsequently worked out that there was nothing aggressive in their flyby, it was more likely curiosity. Other than the sound of their wings they were silent.
Here is one of them checking me out from two metres away.
