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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
It is never guaranteed that sponsored boxes will be used and although we choose boxes that are used at the time, they can then stand empty for a year or three. This box was occupied by a single male when it was sponsored, but he moved away into a different one and bred with Ciara. They moved back into his old bachelor pad and now they have two eggs again. That's the good news. The bad news is the sponsorship has faded from this box - but it remains the "Wild Shack" for the season - it's no. 13.
This nest box was used last season but unfortunately the female disappeared some time through the summer. The male has been busy and stole his neighbour's wife and has set up house with her. They have two beautiful eggs.
This all-time favourite lady is also back with her old mate and two beautiful eggs. She has chosen her old nest box from two years ago and we are super happy to see her again. She has had some challenges earlier in her life with a severe injury that was fixed by our wonderful vet Tony and she is now 7 years old and in her prime. She was probably one of the fab four that we featured through the winter as this nest is close to where that trail camera was parked for a while. Fingers crossed all goes well this summer.
This box was sponsored in the past when it had a pair breeding in it, and this year it is occupied again, but alas, the name on the box is faded under the layer of green. None the less, this is your box, Andy - thank you for your support! The pair is incubating two eggs.
This young yellow-eyed penguin female has also made it through and is now sharing incubation of her beautiful two eggs with her mate from last season. They did change box and moved next door into the neighbour's house who had moved out last season and moved again this season. She has a great view over the ocean and can watch the sunrise every morning. For now though, she is hunkering down to the serious business of incubating eggs.
We are delighted that Thor is back - yes the female named after the Norse god who swings a hammer! Apparently Thor is Odin's son or in this case daughter. She was named when she was a chick and we did not know her sex then. She did very well and did not need a helping hand through the moult. Now she is back and has eggs.
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