Marlborough’s vineyards are increasingly becoming home to a sharp new vineyard tool – and it has wings.

A drive through the region still yields the odd view of a hay-stuffed scarecrow, but it is the flitting and diving of hawks, feasting on vermin and smaller fruit eating birds, that has become an increasingly common sight.

The Department of Conservation has now teamed up with some local grape growers to go one step further, and reintroduce the endangered Karearea (New Zealand falcon), which was once native to the area.

The once prolific bird of prey has been susceptible to introduced animals such as feral cats and goats, and is now estimated to number just 4000.

As birds of prey, the Falcons are seen as a natural deterrent to the many grape-eating small birds, such as wax eyes and starlings, and can save vineyard owners up to $200 a week in lost produce.

Seresin Estates, owned by filmmaker Michael Seresin, is the latest winery to join the recently launched Marlborough Falcon Conservation Trust, donating $1000.

On top of that it will also donate $2 for every bottle of its Momo wine sold via its website.

General Manager MJ Loza says the conservation of such a special bird is an extremely important project.

“It is not every day you can help save an endangered species and we hope our relationship with the Marlborough Falcon Conservation Trust will increase numbers of the birds on Marlborough’s Wairau Plains. When you consider the falcon’s practical application in the vineyard too, it seems like a great opportunity for the region.”