Sunday 18th April 2021

nest site selection has begun

​Hello friends and family
Hiltrun came up on Sunday which was a much nicer day than Saturday and we found that most penguins were out fishing. Later in the day, we got a Cape Petrel that was found on Shag Point road. It probably got disoriented by car headlights, so we kept it until Tuesday morning when we released it in the bay. I have seen several Flocks of Titi as they head north to Siberia. They will have been very pleased with the sou’wester that came up on Tuesday and delivered 25 mm of rain – the drought is broken!

​The team came out on Tuesday and began the task of tidying up some of the branches blown over in the wind last week.  We need to get dying Ngaio out of reach of the sheep as it is poisonous. On Wednesday I made cheese and preserved fruit.

an unidentified visitor

​Lindsey and Margie came out on Thursday morning and we did the rounds, released two juvenile penguins and carted some tree circles. In the afternoon, I went to Hampden to see the unloading of my house. After it was safely placed on the foundations, I got to go inside, and I am very pleased with it. It looks good on the site and the view is magical.

maneuvering the truck from under the house

On Friday, Lindsey, Margie, and I went to Penguin Place and then Boulder beach. Penguin Place was looking wonderful, and the trees had grown since I was last there. They had 25 penguins in care so are still quite busy. Boulder Beach involves a very long walk, and we were blessed with some decent rain while we were there! I had my coat but got wet feet – should have worn my gumboots!
Yesterday was sunny again and we worked at the north end of the reserve.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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