Sunday 19th March 2023

desperate

​Hello friends and family
Well, I was right off the mark last week. I checked the landings on Sunday and found an injured penguin on the landing by the hide. On Monday I checked the landings again and found a penguin exhibiting signs of malaria. On Tuesday we brought in 6 new penguins, some with nicks to feet and flippers and some simply underweight. This is a big concern - 27 hoiho in care. I have commissioned the aviary and have 6 penguins in there.

the apples have done well this year

​I went to town on Wednesday and it was raining from Moeraki to Oamaru all day, but we only got 2mm. In the afternoon, I cooked some apples and while standing at the kitchen sink, noticed that the beaches had turned green – a first in 21 years.

green intertidal zone

​On Thursday we decided to release the 2 fledglings from down south and to put 2 nearly moulted adults into the soft release pen. What a good idea as we picked up 5 penguins from down the hill, 2 from the Moeraki colony and 2 from the Bluffs. We now have over 30 of them needing a helping 

welcome swallows

We are all very concerned about this disaster that is happening for the penguins. It is critical that we stay on top of it because if the penguins loose too much body condition it is a long way back.
Have a great week!
Rosalie