Sunday 19th February 2023

a juvenile erect crested penguin

​Hello friends and family
What a challenging week this has been for the country and our family. Paul, Olivia, and Jen are once again cut off at Hahei, and they had power cuts and internet outages as well. The storm was very intense and widespread. Robbie brought in an Erect Crested penguin from the Waianakarua river mouth.

wild water for the penguins to fledge into

​Down here we got big seas on Wednesday, but that was the limit of our discomfort. The 5mm of rain was not enough to stop the drought. The chicks in the colonies are fledging. The areas have a different feel to them once the chicks go. By Thursday we had 7 chicks left here and 8 at the Moeraki colony. 

The Akaroa chick and a friend are the only ones left in care

​We saw another moulting juvenile that we brought in, and 5 adults. We took 4 more chicks to soft release which leaves only the 2 youngest here to go out next week.

down here we don't mess with ducks, here are our seals in a row.

​On Friday we made the front page of the 2 local newspapers with the story of the first incubator hatched chick which came here to learn penguin. It had fledged when Hiltrun checked down the hill yesterday.

a curious Tawaki

This is a quiet season. With 8 penguins in rehab, it is a pleasure to feed them. At this time in previous seasons, we have had up to 70 penguins to feed. The feeding out there must be good at the moment.
Have a great week!
Rosalie