Sunday 17th January 2021

a penguin creche

​Hello friends and family
This week we have continued monitoring penguins and traps. On Monday while at the point, I saw a pod of about 8 Hector’s dolphins. I have now downloaded the app and reported it. Daniel saw them again on Tuesday in Keepers bay. We found an injured adult penguin on Tuesday who we brought into care. That brought our patients up to 10. 5 chicks, 2 juveniles and 3 adults.

after the morning shower

​A swarm of bees arrived and moved into the box beside the aviary – great. Then they started robbing the honey out of the boxes in the garage – not so great – then they decided to move into the garage! Fortunately, I heard them coming and was able to shut the garage doors in time. They settled in a Hebe and I was able to cut the swam out and put them back into the hives by the aviary. We will see who wins in the long run.

Young swallows

​On Wednesday Dom found an injured adult penguin. It has slashes to one foot and is now on antibiotics and progressing well. Our weighing went well on Thursday and all chicks are doing fine. On Friday I picked up 4 Little owls from Oamaru Bird Rescue to give them flying time in the aviary before release. They flew very well, so well that they found a hole in the aviary and all escaped. On Saturday morning I had a porch full of moths to feed them and no owls.

The family is growing fast

Dan arrived back from his trip to Milford sound and Hiltrun, Trii and Elaine came out yesterday to do the rounds. We are all enjoying seeing the chicks look so well. Long may it continue.
Have a great week
Rosalie
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