Sunday 20th September 2020

Incubation has begun

​Hello friends and family
Coming home from a holiday always means some catch up is required, and for me this time, there was the added bonus of activity in the colonies. I must force myself to stay out and let the penguins get on with it in peace. I manage this with varying levels of success.

The Spotted Shags are still waiting

​By Thursday we had positively identified all but 1 breeding female and found 3 new ones. With the 2 that died during the season last year, we are on track to have an increase in nest numbers this season. This time last year, we were still waiting for the first egg. It is enough to give us speed wobbles.

With the adults preoccupied, the juveniles get the run of the reserves

​The lambs have arrived next door and so we are careful about our movement in the paddocks to prevent miss-mothering. They grow so quickly – after a week they have filled out their saggy skin and are frolicking in the paddocks. One has already decided that playing on the road is fun, and care is required.

The Kowhais of all sizes are in full bloom

For a penguin nest to count, new eggs must be laid in it. A male will make several nest bowls, but only the one with eggs counts! By yesterday we had 24 nests and had identified the 36 surviving breeding females. This is very exciting. The colonies are veery noisy with penguins running around. On Saturday we will put out the dummy eggs.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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