Kaingaroa Forest

It doesn't really seem like a forest. Unfortunately for me, we are working in a commercial forest growing California pines and not in native bush. What is really strange is that the falcons have taken to nesting in clear cuts. This means I'm not really in a normal forest at all, but walking around an open area fill with tree trash. The way these birds have taken to this man-made habitat is a very interesting phenomenon that is not well understood. Historically, falcons nested in epiphytes (plants that grow on trees, not in the ground) found in podocarps (trees). Even in the trees, they did not build nests, but used the epiphytes to nestle the eggs. Now, falcons still nest in the old fashion, but they have also taken to the clearcuts, which is where we are working. I'll post pictures later.