Falcon researcher Dr Donna Falconer (photographed by a motion-
activated camera) uses a walking pole to protect herself from
attacking falcons, at Ferintosh Station, near Mt Cook. Photo
supplied. There is no room for complacency over the future of
the endangered New Zealand falcon, researcher and falcon
advocate Dr Donna Falconer says. Dr Falconer, who recently
gained a University of Otago PhD in geology, and has had her
distinctive name since birth, swiftly found herself inspired by
a series of close encounters with New Zealand falcons after
moving to Twizel six years ago. Her subsequent research and
close-up photography involving falcons will feature in a talk
she will give at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary at 1pm tomorrow. Dr
Falconer said she was seriously considering going back to Otago
University to study for another PhD, on these birds. It was a
good time to be raising awareness about the karearea or New
Zealand falcon, as the latest season's fledglings were
''starting to make themselves known''. Chicks from