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Hello friends and family Dan and I had an epic ornithological odyssey to the USA. The sun shone every day, and I even got a suntan in New York.  We took a 12-hour flight to LA and then an Uber to Anaheim where we stayed on the 8th floor of a flash hotel, overlooking the swimming pool, (we did have a swim,) and palm trees.  We went to Disneyland for 2 days. My goal was to ride on a roller coaster and the one at Disneyland is the 6th biggest in the world – no point in starting off small! We had a great time there, went back on the second night to watch the fireworks – probably not a good plan as I got quite crook.  The roller coaster we went on The next day we were on the train to San Diego. Dan was a bit sceptical but that dissipated on arrival. By this time, he would get up in the morning, go out for a run and bring me back a coffee. How kind! (a survival strategy!) I found drugs for my cold and was fine very quickly.  A happy African penguin at San Diego Zoo. On the first day, we went to the famous San Diego Zoo. There we were looked after by Grace, a true penguin person, who showed us around, including her current work, which is bird propagation. What skill, incubating and raising birds from all families.  6 species of penguins live in this freezer, Emperors, Adelies, Chin strapped, Gentoos, Macaronis and Kings For the next 2 days we went to SeaWorld where we got to hang out with 8 different species of penguins and enjoy the marine mammal shows. Dan is now a convert to the wonders of San Diego, not including the Festival of the Dead which is happening now.  Orca center stage Our flight to New York was cancelled. We were transferred to a flight the next morning and got to fly over about 12 states of the USA and get an appreciation of the geography of the country. I have now seen the Mississippi river!  The Statue of Liberty By the time we arrived in New York, we were up for the subway and did not use Uber at all. On the first morning we went up the World Trade Centre, the 9th tallest building in the world, and took in the panoramic views. We spent the afternoon discovering Manhattan and, in the evening, went to Times Square because we could!  The Polish community parade. There were parades both days we were in Manhattan The next day we walked the Skyline, then explored Central Park (including having a hotdog from a street vendor.). By now we were taking the subway to save our feet. We walked over 100km on this holiday. In the evening, we went to a Broadway show – The Book of Mormon.  We went to the top of the World Trade Centre - the one with the tower on top. Next morning, we caught the bus to Ithaca. Ithaca is the home of Cornell University, ranked 20th in the world, it is a centre of excellence for bird knowledge. It is also home to Jill, who looked after us with great empathy. We met with professors and vets, seeking ideas about how we can best manage bird ‘flu.  There were Squirrels throughout New York state After a few days there, we caught an early morning flight to JFK airport in New York. That gave us a day to explore the neighbourhood and dip our toes into the Atlantic Ocean. At 10pm we departed JFK for Auckland, a 17-hour flight. It was easier than I expected so was very comfortable flying on to Dunedin and then driving home.  Upstate New York was cloaked in autumn I learned a lot about modern travel. Practically everything can be managed with a smart phone, which Dan did for us, so I had a cruisy time. PayWave in the USA is a thing, everywhere. I decided to be cheap and not get an eSim card for my phone. I will not do that again.  We saw Chipmunks in Ithaca In the meantime, the team withstood a one in 100-year storm event and cared for our penguins with great skill. The penguins are now incubating eggs. Have a great week! Rosalie   The new season is underway Hello friends and family Last Sunday was a lucky day! I got a visit from Melissa, my granddaughter with her partner and a friend, I won a voucher at the local Tavern and located a new pair of penguins at a nest. We also recorded over 50mm of rain – 3 months’ worth and very welcome.  the bunnies are back I went to Oamaru on Monday morning and worked in the aviary in the afternoon – out of the cool breeze.  no shortage of fish out there! By Tuesday, the cool breeze had turned bitterly cold and so we split the rounds. We had 3 new eggs here and 2 at Okahau. There is a lot of penguin activity that is for sure!  North Otago glory The good fortune continued on Wednesday when Mt Cook alpine salmon reached out with a new harvest of smolt. They will arrive here next week. It was my turn at the Toptip and despite the cold, it was a busy morning.  The moon does shine as bright as day! The team came out on Thursday morning and we found another egg in each colony. The water from the weekend rain is beginning to seep out of the ground and the tracks are very slippery. Thank goodness for the new bridge Murray built.  now both eggs are laid, incubation begins By yesterday we had 11 nests down the hill and 6 at Okahau. In the afternoon we had our AGM. I had a technology fail – after trying our best, we had to do the presentations on laptops. Fortunately, Jonah, our guest speaker is adaptable and did an awesome presentation anyway.  we are blessed with spring perfume All officers were re-elected, and our constitution was updated to meet the new requirements. Have a great week Rosalie  still waiting! Hello friends and family. Sunday and Monday were good days for planting. The ground is still soft and damp and there was very little wind. We did the rounds on Tuesday while Robbie worked on the aviary. On Wednesday I went to town in the morning and planted trees in the afternoon.  The Clematis, blooming in the Kowhai tree On Thursday, the clouds were gathering so we split into 2 and did one reserve each. Still no eggs. There are penguins at home in different nest boxes so it is impossible to predict the season, but what will be, will be.  snow out the kitchen window The rain arrived on Thursday afternoon, and by Friday morning we had 25mm. This is perfect, as all the new trees will get a good soaking, much needed as I don’t cart water. It came with a cold snap – snow on the foothills!  Welcome to our world Announcement Our first egg arrived on Saturday 14th September. The other great news for Saturday is that we have now identified 3 breeding females that we did not see through the moult. They are all back, in nests, ready for action.  penguin in Camo In the evening, we went to the Moeraki Tavern to welcome Elaine home. They always put on a great spread and support the penguins with a donation box on the counter. Have a great week! Rosalie  Little Penguins on the island Hello friends and family Despite the forecasts, the weather has been great. On Sunday and Monday, I cut wire and planted trees.  The native bloom is blooming The team came out on Tuesday morning and we were treated to seeing a lot of penguins at home. Down the hill here, 26 nests had at least one occupant and at Okahau, the number was 18. Murray has seen 3 nests occupied at the Bluffs. These numbers are indicative only, but quite reassuring with the constant year on year decline that we have become used to.  Claiming his nest box On Wednesday I went down to Dunedin for the follow-up meeting with the surgeon who will do some remedial work on my face when she can. I then took the opportunity to catch up with Trudi who has done so much valuable work for Hoiho, I wanted to tell her in person that Penguin Rescue appreciated the difference she has made.  This new box was snapped up within hours of being placed The team came out on Thursday morning and we did the rounds – the numbers of penguins at home were down at both colonies, but some different penguins were home than those we had seen on Tuesday, going from their location. Murray found a penguin nesting well inland from sites we have seen used before. We checked out the island and found 6 Little penguin nests. The seals have destroyed all the vegetation and most of the little penguin nesting boxes.  Shags in breeding plumage but not active. We did get 2 mm of rain yesterday, along with a lot of wind. I spent the afternoon gaming with a clear conscience.  The gulls are arriving back on the island Have a great week! Rosalie  one of our earlier plantings Hello friends and family, I have arrived home from my family visit to spring bursting out all over the place. It was excellent spending time with the family. They are awesome and living busy lives. I enjoyed frequent hot spas, yummy food and lots of exercise. I did jigsaws and watched movies. Now I am back in the penguin world and ticking things off my long list in preparation for the nesting season.  Check inside the house - very exciting! While I was away, the team saw a returned Juvenile Hoiho at Okahau which is such great news. If one can survive until now, so can the other 50 that are unaccounted for. On Thursday we did a check of active nest sites and still have some work to do to have them all up to scratch. The rounds were followed by a picnic lunch at the Bluffs, for Tobi’s birthday.  One of the two Spotted Shag nests here. There were none last year On Friday I tidied up around the section and mowed the lawns. Then I followed up a lead and contacted the fish supply company. After filling out forms, we will have our season’s fish supply sorted out – a huge relief! Yesterday I walked the coast and tidied up the Katiki Beach main site.  We are seeing pairs at home. The weather has been glorious. Have a great week! Rosalie  The penguins are hanging out on the landing from about 4:30pm. Check it out Hello friends and family I continued my tree planting mission on Sunday and Monday. The weather was very comfortable, and I planted 21 new trees. On Tuesday morning the team came out and the weather was even more glorious. The calm water was clear, and we could see the ocean floor from up the hill. Robbie brought out his trailer and we shifted gear from the back to the front, from outside to the shed and then attacked some Boxthorn bushes!  Spring is on its way 10 more trees on Wednesday and then on Thursday it was raining. Bronwyn and I checked down the hill and then tidied up the potting bags in the shed, from all the tree planting. Friday was 12 more trees planted and a pleasure to be outside – glorious sunshine, even if it was only 7 degrees!  some males are staying home to begin nest building I planted 12 more trees yesterday and will plant another bunch today. Then I will run out of stakes again! Have a great week! Rosalie  checking out their new nest box Hello friends and family, I was very pleased with myself when I completed planting the 50 Ngaios that were donated to us last season. That was my goal for Sunday and so when the rain arrived on Monday, I could excuse myself for not watering them! It rained all day Monday and Tuesday, so we had our team meeting on Tuesday morning by Zoom.  All planted! Robbie came out and stripped the inside of the aviary so we can make it suitable for isolating penguins when they come into care next season. On Wednesday I dodged the showers and went to Oamaru. The snow was on the foothills all the way to town.  out the kitchen wiindow On Thursday, Robbie and Murray freed up some posts, wires and tree protectors to recycle and Bronwyn and I did the rounds at Okahau. Saturday was the Yellow-eyed Penguin Symposium at Otago University from 9am to 3pm. Seven of us attended, and I took Robbie, Jan and Stewart down. It was very pretty with snow on the hills and frost on the ground. We left with plenty of time so there was no rush.  snow on the foothills The day was planned a little differently. The season information was presented all together by Sarah and Trudi. I spoke about our funding and Forest and Bird spoke about trapping in the southern Catlins. There was an update about the disease research and the southern population of Yellow-eyed penguins. In the afternoon, there was discussion about how we can restructure to do better. The idea of a central funding agency was raised again. Last time, I sent in all the requested information and then never got any feedback, never mind money! Today we have frost, the ground is white and the sky is clear. I will aim for another 10 trees to be planted! Have a great week Rosalie  The penguins are checking out the nest boxes Hello friends and family, On Sunday morning I did the rounds down the hill and went to Okahau in the afternoon to plant 10 trees and check the traps there. I got a call about a Hoiho on Katiki beach – sure enough, it was Bruno! At least she had not gone north and had stayed at sea for a week.  The moonlight shows that the lake in the middle view is full again She came ashore to a fisherman, who had seen another Hoiho on the beach at Kaikoura. What a lucky man to see 2 of them!  Penguins checking out the nest boxes The wind arrived on Monday so I deep-cleaned Robbie’s rehab, out of the wind. I get quite a feeling of accomplishment when I complete these annual cleans. On Tuesday morning, the team came out and we did the rounds. Bruno threw up, so I took her to the Dunedin Wildlife hospital in the afternoon.  Drain bird looking plump On Thursday morning Murray and Tobi came out to do the rounds and we upgraded box 28 and box 200. Murray brought out 14 trees with him, so I planted them on Friday morning. In the afternoon, Alec from Evident came and set up the new microscope. What an awesome tool. My 10-year-old laptop can just cope with the software so that was a stroke of luck.  The five-finger coming into bloom Yesterday Trii came up to help for the day. We have tidied up the trees too small to be planted out this winter. They are now in big bags and can grow, ready for planting out next season. Have a great week! Rosalie |
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