Sunday 13th December 2015.

Hello friends and family.
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The whole family is at home, the chicks are outside, all is well

​We have enjoyed some summer weather this week which has made being out and about a real pleasure. Paul and Jen came to stay on Tuesday and spent their visit fixing things and helping out. I felt very relieved as the list of things to do got shorter and jobs got ticked off. Thank you both!

The little penguins are on eggs. This one has only a short burrow.

​We have our first hospital patient – a non-breeding adult male had his feet slashed on Wednesday and he is now in care, being treated until he is fit to go back to sea. I contacted NZ King Salmon and they are going to sponsor our fish this season which is just fantastic. The chicks have passed the high-risk phase and are now beginning to leave their nest boxes and move about near their nests. It can be worrying to come to a nest box and find it empty, but a quick search nearby usually locates the chicks with a guarding parent.

As the Spotted Shag chicks grow, the perch gets full!

​The penguin ID machine is now set up in the colony to let us know which penguins are coming and going. It will take some time to get all of the elements working properly, but we have taken a huge step forward getting it down the hill. I now have a working iPhone 6+ and am very pleased with it. I will share some photos in this blog soon.

​Last night I went to Doug’s birthday party in the Moeraki Hall. It was fabulous with delicious food and plenty to drink. I should get out more often, and thus begins my New Year’s resolution list!

A sweet young lass attracts attention where ever she goes!

Have a great week!
Rosalie
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