The falcons of Albert Town camping ground now have a camp site to call their own.
Camp leaseholders Aggie Hofsteenge and Rudi Sanders, along with Forest and Bird volunteers, have fenced off a chunk of the camping ground so a falcon chick and its parents are not disturbed.
The nest, containing one chick and one egg, is on the ground, beneath a log, and people approaching it have been dive-bombed by the adult birds.
Ms Hofsteenge said yesterday the birds were obviously unaware the camping ground was fully booked for Christmas.
However, she was happy to put the birds' welfare ahead of the lost revenue.
"It is what it is. The birds come before the turnover, I guess.''
It was hoped the newly-fenced area was big enough for the birds to go about their chick-raising without feeling stressed.
Ms Hofsteenge said people would be able to camp outside the fenced area, but they would be taking their chances with the birds.
"If people want to camp there they can, but they will get dive-bombed. It won't be a pleasant spot to camp.''
There was still the issue of getting to a toilet near the birds, she said.
"We are hoping the toilets will be safe.''
If not, portaloos may have to be put in another area.
Falcon advocate Mary Chaffey said yesterday the two parent birds had been joined by a third, juvenile male, which was unusual.
Normally, a pair of birds would not stand for another adult bird in their territory unless they were family.
Ms Chaffey said all the people she had talked to about protecting the birds had been "totally understanding''.
The problem had been with people who unintentionally disturbed the birds.
"But now it's all fenced off, that will calm everybody down.''
The fence, however, would not keep dogs out.
Dogs in the camping ground are required to be on a lead.
