Harrier predation of NZ grebe chicks

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Tim Barnard
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Location: Okere Falls

Harrier predation of NZ grebe chicks

Postby Tim Barnard » Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:12 am

There are a pair of harrier in the Okere Arm of Lake Rotoiti that have become quite adept at taking chicks off the water. This morning I watched the male pursue an NZ grebe chick for almost 15 minutes. It had obviously developed a strategy forcing the chick to dive repeatedly until it tired. It plunged almost osprey like in the end to claim it. Very sad and almost unbearable to watch but ...
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Mike Vincent
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Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:57 pm
Location: Rotorua
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Re: Harrier predation of NZ grebe chicks

Postby Mike Vincent » Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:44 pm

I have had people tell me of similar attacks at Lake Okareka. I tell them this is why we have got to get rid of introduced predators. They have evolved with avian ones

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