​Hello friends and family
I have spent the week writing reports and avoiding the icy wind when possible. On Tuesday we welcomed Mel who was visiting from Dunedin to collect more penguin poo samples. She had been held up to contribute to the TV interview around beach closures to protect penguins.

​The wind kept blowing on Thursday, so Elaine and Patrick trimmed some trees in the reserve and Jan and I did the trap round. In the afternoon, Jan and I secured some more trees that had been damaged by the sheep. Let us hope they are now safe!

Hiltrun and Elaine continued with the habitat upgrade at the Moeraki colony yesterday and I watered the trees on the hill. The penguins came home in groups and we counted 35 on the main landing!
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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​Hello friends and family
Tuesday was one of those great winter days when the sun shone, and the grass was crispy. In the morning we did a nest box check and have a list of improvements to be done before September. In the afternoon we went to the Moeraki colony and planted more trees. We must re-think our management as the sheep have done serious damage to the trees this time.
At around 3 pm the penguins returned, and we watched them play in the water for about ½ hour and then we went home. I happened to glance out over the bay at 4 pm and saw a pod of dolphins also playing in the waves. It is heart-warming to see wildlife well enough fed that they can have time out to play.

​We picked up the Juvenile that did not want to leave and brought it in. On Thursday when we did the bloods, we found a bacterial infection and Malaria again. In the afternoon, I picked up an adult that was in for Malaria last time and may well have it again. 

​On Thursday morning we cleared the landing at Harry’s Bay and 3 of the obstructed nest boxes here. In the afternoon we rabbit proofed the new trees. Yesterday Hiltrun and Elaine created a new nest site at the Moeraki colony, and we watched the penguins come home.

Have a great week!
Rosalie
​

​Hello friends and family
Our focus this week was on a different project as the tree planting site is exposed and there has been a cold wind and the paddock is too soft to drive on. We have tried to relocate some Koura (freshwater crayfish) from hidden forest streams to a new pond that has been recently planted out with native trees. Patrick led the project and showed us how to make traps and what the issues are with catching Koura. So far, we have not caught any!

​The penguins are enjoying their winter holiday and the last one was released from care yesterday. After a course of Malarone, he tested clear for Malaria and was well pleased to be free again. I can unset my morning alarm for 7:30 and sleep in until the sun comes up!

​Yesterday the government announced a rescue fund for rehabbers and zoos. We will put in an application as funding at the gate has declined sharply and one of our sponsors has withdrawn because of Covid 19. DOC records the numbers of visitors so I will ask them for the information over the last 3 months. I don’t know if we exactly fit the criteria – it is hard to fit into boxes when you are working with endangered species.

Hiltrun and Elaine cleared yet another corner at the Moeraki colony yesterday, in glorious sunshine. A pleasant change from the cold wet week that we have had.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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​Hello friends and family
A new season begins. Thank you so much for all of you that supported our work during the last season. Each of the last 5 seasons has been an uphill struggle for the penguins and we hope that this will be the year when the numbers begin to recover, and we can start to re-build the population.

​A special mention to my big brother Richard who has been our honorary accountant all these years and is now finally retiring. We need a new accountant please – not that onerous, we use Cashbook, so it is straight forward. Thank you, Richard for all the support over the years.

​The week began with a dire weather forecast which turned out to be not as bad as predicted. The rehab penguins were released, the pens and enclosures cleaned out and now the lawn can recover. Robbie and Patrick came on Tuesday and we did the rounds and planted a few plants. I was on the Top-tip on Wednesday morning and it was very cold – sleet but no snow.

On Thursday, Elaine, Robbie and I helped Patrick clean up some of the rubbish down the hill. The reward was seeing juvenile penguins socialising with the adults, but we did pick up one skinny one that later tested positive for Malaria.
Elaine joined me on my trip to town on Friday. It was glorious after a hard frost. The mountains were covered in snow and the air was fresh. Yesterday was better and the Saturday team worked in the forest, out of the wind.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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