Bring out your rooks
The season of the rook will soon be upon us and Greater Wellington needs rook sightings from around the region to ensure they don’t peck away at rural earnings this summer.
Traditionally rooks have been limited to Wairarapa, but there have been rooks in Ohariu Valley and occasionally on the Kapiti Coast in the past 20 years.
“All rook sightings are important and we’re keen to hear about them,” says Biosecurity Officer Steve Playle.
Rooks were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s to control pasture insects.
“Unfortunately, they also enjoy crop seed, crop seedlings and mature grains,” says Steve.
“They can wreak havoc in summer when they band together in large flocks and arrive in crop paddocks en masse. In these circumstances rooks can wipe out newly sown or emerging crops, with precision planted crops such as maize, peas and beans especially at risk.
“September heralds the beginning of the nesting season and we are asking rural residents to be our eyes and ears to help locate breeding populations of rooks."
Typically, breeding rookeries will be located in stands of mature pines or eucalyptus trees. Often they are in close proximity to houses and other farm buildings.
Rooks are sometimes mistakenly referred to as ‘crows’. They are extremely wary birds. The rook is slightly larger than a magpie and is black all over. It can be identified by its harsh call, “KAAH”.
Any sighting of a rook or rookery is important. Greater Wellington will destroy them free of charge.