Nesting falcons attacking people on Rotorua cycle track

Steve Millar has an encounter with a swooping falcon on the Hemo Trail. Photo / Steve Birch

Mountain bikers attempting to use a local cycle track have come under attack by two falcons nesting nearby.

The attacks have prompted a local mountain biker to suggest the path be closed for the public's safety and to "give the falcons a bit of space".

According to the Rotorua Trails Trust Facebook page, the nesting falcon pair, Sery and Ford, are protecting their chicks at the southern end of the Hemo Gorge trail, which starts at the top of the Te Puia carpark.

The trust recommends that people take the detour, a temporary off-road single track or the cycle path both running alongside State Highway 5 to Waipa State Mill Rd.

Local mountain biker Steve Birch said it appeared the falcons were "defending" a particular part of the track, where the track split and mountain bikers had to go over a slight rise.

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The bigger female falcon tended to be the one swooping down and attacking, he said.

Birch, who snapped a photo of the falcon swooping, mid-attack, on his friend Steve Millar, said he too had been hit by the birds.

"They tend to be swooping and their talons are just hitting the biker's helmet to let them know they shouldn't be there."

He said it happened fast and was quite an aggressive swoop with a bit of a bang.

Birch said he had been using the trail in the last 10 days but had now decided to avoid the trail and take the road around.

He said hundreds of people used the trail and thought it should be closed for the public's safety and to give the falcons some space.

"A lot of mountain bikers I've spoken to think it's a bit of a laugh, but we also think they should close the trail, and people should go along State Highway 5 and detour."

Birch said there were signs up saying not to walk dogs through the area, "because the falcons would really have a go at dogs".