Penguin Update

Growing up fast

​Hello friends and family
We had 7mm of rain overnight and then an improvement in the weather.

Chris, Nora and I in the side-by-side

​On Monday, we went to Oamaru to stock up on vegan food so Nora and Chris could do the cooking. In the afternoon, we went to the Bluffs, visited Kawariki Bay and had afternoon tea with Murray. The penguins were at home which was wonderful – otherwise it would be hard to believe that they lived there.

Kawariki Bay

​The team came out on Tuesday, and we weighed the chicks down the hill. Their weight is now fluctuating as they reach full size but if they stay over 5Kg, they are fine. The oldest chicks are now reaching 90 days old, so next week, we will measure their heads to identify their gender. It is not a sure method but is better than doing nothing.

ready to run!

​On Wednesday, we headed to the Toptip to get a ladle for soup. I seldom have soup, so there was a gap in my kitchen. Nora and Chris were very impressed by the Toptip and I had to prise them out of the shop. The next stop was Jan’s place for coffee and then we went to Trotter’s gorge for a bush walk and to see the cave Wetas. In the afternoon, we cut the last hedge.

Nora feeding Mrs O7

​It was raining on Thursday morning when Robbie came out to help with weighing the Okahau chicks. We slipped and sledded but got the job done. All chicks were over 5kg so okay to stay in the wild for another week.

The Terns on Katiki Beach

​Friday was the last full day for Nora and Chris, so we went on beach searches to check for stranded penguins. We didn’t find any but made the most of a glorious day. In the afternoon they planted a tree each at Okahau.

A Sealion enjoying the sand

​Saturday was a tough day. It began with a dead chick in hospital the Kawariki chick was suddenly dead. I went back and re-looked at the slides – I now think it died of Malaria. It was the day to farewell Nora and Chris who were great volunteers, they did the cooking and gave me a holiday!

Nora likes to record things visually

Have a great week
Rosalie