Back from the brink: injured falcon given his freedom

A critically injured falcon who almost died after smashing into a window has successfully been released into the wild.

Adult male karearea Bill, needed around the clock care after his accident in May.

Kārearea Falcon Trust Manager Holly Turner got a call from the Clifford family who found Bill on Old Renwick Road and rescued him.

And as he was set free, the family, plus other Trust supporters and friends, were there to watch him as he began his next adventure.

Holly says Bill had broken the tip of his beak off and was suffering from a concussion

“He was in critical condition and housed in an ICU unit with the Trust and goy around the clock care to stabilise him.

“Due to his broken and now blunt beak, Bill needed all his food to be chopped up into small bits, he was not able to rip or tear into meat.”

Bill’s beak began to regrow slowly but some parts grew faster than others, leading to an overbite.

To remedy this, Holly and Trustee Phil Bradfield gave Bill regular beak manicures.

“Using a small handheld Dremel, we were able to carefully reshape and trim his beak into a more natural shape as it regrew.

“A hood was used during these procedures to keep him calm.”

Released from the end of Selmes Road by the Wairau River stop bank on 18 December, Bill flew into a nearby tree to get his bearings.

“He was promptly swooped by a tūī, then took off over the tops of the poplar trees,” Holly says.

“About 20 minutes later a few members of the group saw him chasing a small bird through a gap in the trees and hearing him "kekking".

Trustees, Iwi tangatu whenua, Trust sponsors and the family who rescued Bill, and "Adopt A Falcon" supporters of Bill, and DOC staff were invited to the release day.

The Blenheim Natural Learners Co-operative had adopted Bill at Silver level and their homeschool primary aged group of around 20 were also at the release.

Bill has been banded by Department of Conservation Senior Biodiversity Ranger Patrick Cowe.

Bill's unique identification bands are silver: H-36770 / and a yellow band with large text "F42".

Holly says the Trust are relaying on the public’s help to monitor Bill’s progress.

“If you spot Bill or other kārearea we love to receive sightings and photos from the community,” she says.

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The Trust relies entirely on sponsorship, grants, donations, and community support to carry out vital conservation work for this taonga manu (treasured bird).