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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
He is a young male who scored an experienced mate (Dylan's mate last season) - a good move as she will be able to teach him a think or two about raising a family. He's done pretty well building a nest, so they are off on a good start.
is mated with Pyne and they have chosen a rather weird nest where they clamber up the hill behind the nest, hop onto the roof and then clamber back down from the front to get in.....go figure. It's the first year for Pyne and Goldenglimmer did not have any chicks last season - maybe this time.
This 3-year old was practicing on a dummy egg last season with her mate - but this year they have the real thing: two beautiful real eggs. He is quite experienced but had been alone (spurned by Bequette) and has been courting Logan Bear for a while. Finally he's got eggs to worry about!
This fab wee girl is back with her Bruce and they have moved from Casa Nola last year back to Flipper Palace this year (although the writing has weathered off). Two eggs are under that protective belly.
This wee girl has changed colony and mate - and we have recorded two boys with her and so we are little confused. The most consistent male on the nest is Jackson - one of the male-male pair we had last year. His mate, Freddie is dutifully incubating a dummy egg a couple of boxes along - so we are bit bummed that they won't be available as foster parents this season. Where this other male fits in, we are not sure. We now have a camera on the nest to see if there is any fighting. So far, the nest appears to be undisturbed and Hazel and Jackson seem to be the expecting parents.
These two have shifted house - which was just as well. Their old place got a bit yucky through the breeding season. This clean (well, sorta) box is now home for the summer - interestingly Dylan and Poppy are only a few meters away! Solitary nesters? Maybe not these ones.
These two LOVE their box and go back year after year and they raised Pyne here a few years back, who has now come back and is also breeding with wee Goldenglimmer just a "down the road".
These two ladies are the last ones to lay their eggs every year and they have finally got there. They are both back with their mates from last season. Everyone else now has two eggs. We have a total of 43 pairs at Moeraki (two up from last year) and time is running out for those young ladies to do their bit. We have not quite given up hope for another couple of nests and are keeping fingers crossed.
And now they have an egg! Pyne lured Goldenglimmer away but Penguin TJ was on hand to be his new squeeze! Neither have any breeding experience, but we'll watch over them to make sure they and any chicks have the best possible chance.
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