Falcon flight fantastic to see

A bird that is only found in New Zealand - the spectacular yet threatened karearea, New Zealand falcon, found at Wingspan Birds of Prey Centre.

The karearea flies at speeds of 230kmh and there are only 4000 of them left in New Zealand which makes them much rarer than the kiwi of which there are 70,000.

Wingspan Birds of Prey Centre is New Zealand's leading conservation centre for birds of prey and it holds daily interactive flying displays at 2pm which are great for the family.

The outdoor flight shows are mesmerising.

The karearea hunt and are trained for survival in the wild, the flight paths are amazing to watch as the falcons and hawks swoop and chase the falconer's lure.

If you're lucky you may see a falcon chase and catch its prey. Those who are keen are also given the opportunity to hold a falcon on their arm. Visitors to the centre can also view the museum, displays and the breeding aviaries, before experiencing the age-old art of falconry in the flight show. This year marked Wingspan's 20th birthday of commitment to the karearea, supporting wild populations and rehabilitating injured wild birds including falcons, hawks and owls.

Wingspan has six of only eight falconers in all of New Zealand and they work daily with the birds. Falconry is an art recently made an ''Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'' by UNESCO.

This experience is amazing to watch and is also an important insight to a threatened native bird which not many New Zealanders know about.

Each year New Zealand Forest and Bird organises an annual Bird of the Year poll to pick New Zealand's favourite bird.

To help increase the profile of New Zealand falcons please vote for NZ falcon/karearea at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz