Sunday 10th April 2022

It's good to be home

​Hello friends and family
The days are drawing in and the penguins are very happy to be fed at 4:30 pm. There are very few left at home during the day in the colonies, so we are starting our winter work programme.

Lady Falcon

​On Sunday Elaine came out in the morning to do the bloods and in the afternoon I did very little. On Monday I did the trap round and put in long lasting bait to keep them useful for longer. Tuesday was cold when we set out to do the rounds, but as soon as we got out of the wind it was much better. We picked up an unmarked, un moulted female who has Malaria, so she has started her treatment. This was one of those rescues which was more like a self-admission. As we were doing the rounds, she called from within the scrub until we responded. Otherwise, we would never have found her.

Kakabeak flowering in April

​I went to Oamaru on Wednesday and while I was away, one of our penguins escaped. It remains a mystery, but I am sure he will find his way home. It is a few years since our last escapee.
By the end of the rounds on Thursday, we were down to 11 penguins in care. Now that the night temperatures are below 10 degrees more can go because the mosquitoes will be dormant.

Yes, I was ready to come home

On Friday when I went to do some work in the Moeraki colony, there was our escape artist, at his nest, with his partner, looking like he was in charge. Yesterday when Hiltrun and I did the rounds, the highlight was seeing a falcon. It has been a few years since we have seen her. I am sure that she has been back in the meantime but stayed out of view. We also caught three more ferrets, bringing the total for the week to 7. Scary stuff!
Have a great week!
Rosalie