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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
He was a young penguin and lucky to have found an experienced mate. They raised Laird successfully but did not manage to meet up during the moult. His mate was well ahead of him and we were not too sure which one she was of the moulting adults in the colony. Barney on the other hand was looking his scruffy best - all done now and no doubt gloriously gorgeous!
These two actually moulted apart. Janet was a guest in our rehab for a while and was released after her moult was completed while Shaju stayed in the colony. They found each other pronto though and on this day were spending time together at their nest.
Like many pairs this season, Gustl started his moult a bit later than his mate - she had just finished. She will be heading to sea in the morning and return at night to sit with him until he has finished as well. That way their pair bond remains intact!
She was quite illusive during her moult but we spotted her in some bushes - just as she spotted us!
Whilst the moult is over, I will be reporting on our sponsored adults as they came through the moult. Everyone is done and gone during the day, and unless a bird is in rehab we are not identifying our residents. These two had such bad luck and both chicks died early. So it was the summer off and they are already done with the moult here hanging out on the beach with a fur seal for company. Charlie had joined them for a while but he was not visible on this day.
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