16 September 2013

Now’s the time to look for rooks

Otago Regional Council (ORC) staff are keen to hear from anyone in the region who have seen rooks.

From now until November ORC staff will be carrying out rook control, and ask people to look out for rooks, their rookeries and nesting sites around the region. At their peak there were several thousand nesting rooks in Otago, but their numbers have been drastically reduced through local control programmes.

Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) are part of the crow and raven family. They are larger than magpies and totally black. The black feathers often show a purple or bluish-purple sheen in bright light. They were introduced to New Zealand from Europe by early settlers to control insects, but can cause significant damage to crops and pasture.

ORC director regional services Jeff Donaldson said around 100 nesting birds remained in Otago. These have been reported near Patearoa and Wedderburn in the Maniototo, around Middlemarch and Clarks Junction, near Clydevale in South Otago, and also in North Otago near Duntroon and Tokarahi.

“Our best asset is the eyes and ears of all those on the ground. Without local information, it’s just like searching for a needle in a haystack, trying to find the remaining small populations,” he said.

Mr Donaldson advised people who saw a rook on their property not to shoot at or scare the birds. There was often only one chance to deal with them, and if disturbed they could scatter to form new rookeries.

“Anyone sighting a rook or rookery just needs to give us a call and our pest eradication staff will come and deal with them as a free public service,” he said.

People who notice rooks in Otago are asked to freephone 0800 474 082. Otherwise, email info@orc.govt.nz

ENDS

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