 the new season is underway Hello friends and family Jan came out on Sunday, and we did the rounds. We found new eggs and after a week of egg laying, the colonies are about halfway through the lay. Jan plans to join me on the rounds in the weekends, which is great.  A Tui adds to the hum of the bees I got up early on Monday morning and saw the solar eclipse. Unfortunately, I could not get a photo as even 2 pairs of sunglasses were not enough of a filter! We did the rounds on Tuesday morning, beating the rain and were very pleased to get 8mm as the place is drying out fast.  The gulls are back Wednesday was my day at the Toptip, and I got a chance to thank Rachel from the Hampden Community Energy committee for their support of Penguin Rescue by funding 3 new smart traps. It was busy all morning and the time flew by.  interesting family dynamic Murray and I did the rounds on Thursday morning and found another 2 nests. This took the total to 25, which I reported to the Pre-season meeting at DOC in Dunedin, in the afternoon. It was good to catch up with the Hoiho people and be updated on new initiatives. It was also great to receive 3 new trail cameras to monitor nests with.  A juvenile heading out to go fishing We now have 29 nests. This should be a time of celebration but in usual form, we do focus on the gap. At both the Bluffs and Okahau, the colonies have held their own. Here we still have 2 missing pairs and one more yet to lay. Last season we had 36 nests – a drop of 10% from the year before – our goal is 33 this year to be at least holding on.  A brand new family Have a great week! Rosalie   A beach in the Abel Tasman national park Hello friends and family I have enjoyed an amazing holiday with the family and am ready for the new season. My trip began in the Abel Tasman national park. We did a 3-day tramp, (really a glamp!) returning to a palace each night and going to the pub for tea. We managed our interactions with the rain, the last day was sunny, and we saw lots more people on the track. A beautiful experience.  beautiful bush scenes Then I went to the Mount. Activities there included a hot spa every morning and yummy food. I caught up with all my siblings and did several beach walks. Our efforts at the pub quiz were average – this resulted in winning a pizza.  The Weka's added humour to our 3 day tramp Next, I went to Hahei and enjoyed the beach there. My last destination was Thames where we visited Raewyn, who is as cheerful as ever.  A heron nesting in a tree in Thames Pauline picked me up from the plane and cooked me breakfast. I was on the road home by 9:30am on Tuesday. I was on the trip home when I got a call from Robbie – the freezer had broken down. All the contents, about a cubic meter had gone rotten and the smell was disgusting.  The Spotted shag chicks are growing fast By the time I got home, a plan was in place and, Robbie and I loaded the rotten fish and meat onto a truck, from where it was taken away and buried. I hosed out the freezer and called the repair man. He came the next day to begin the repairs. Now we wait.  Pair bonding is full time work for these penguins The first penguin eggs of the season were found last Sunday, and now we have 20. The penguins have made changes to partners, or nest boxes, and are settling in for the long incubation. The first chicks are due at the end of October.  Spring had sprung when I got home Yesterday was our Penguin Rescue AGM at the Moeraki Hall. The committee has agreed to continue for another year. The guest speaker was Jo Willet, who spoke about an exciting eco-sanctuary being developed behind Hampden. Their block includes mature native trees and she generously offered seedlings, of which they have many. Have a great week! Rosalie |
Archives
January 2026
|
RSS Feed
Te whaka oraka o te takaraka
Penguin Rescue is a member of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand
Thank you to our sponsors;
HAMPDEN COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUSTIN COMPANY
