Sunday 17th November 2024

our first chick home is growing fast

​Hello friends and family
It had to happen, on Monday we had our first chick death. A pipping egg was predated at the nest of the new parents down the hill here. We put out a trap straight away. Then on Tuesday, a chick was dead in nest K4. This is a pattern that we have seen before – everything is great until it’s not. 

still hungry

​Wednesday was my day for round 4 of surgery to my face. Elaine came down to Dunedin and went shopping while I waited and eventually, at about 3pm, I was ready to come home. No chicks to pick up again on Thursday, so Robbie and I did the rounds while the rest of the team had a day off.

very protective parent

​On Friday, Tobi and I went down to the Wildlife hospital to take down 2 chicks and while we were on the road, the team found one of the previously returned chicks was gasping. I met Jan halfway and returned it to the Wildlife hospital. 

midnight snack

​By this time, both us and the penguins sitting on dummy eggs were getting stressed by the low number of chicks returning from the hospital. This was put to rights a little, when 9 came back on Saturday. Eight of these chicks will need daily ointment for a while, but it is a relief all round to have them back.

2 fluffy bums

Today there is one chick to pick up from the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital and it will go to the Bluffs. We have 2 new volunteers joining the team so it will be a busy day.
Have a great week!
Rosalie