Sunday 23rd April 2017

Home time

​Hello friends and family
On Sunday and Monday, Chris, Hiltrun, Hamish and I worked on a clump of bush at Seal point, turning it from an impenetrable matt of fallen trees to habitat for up to 5 penguin nests. We were able to do this because the sheep are off having a social life and we will not get any back for a couple of months.  This gives time for the poison Ngaio leaves to rot.

Rat and rabbit habitat

​Tuesday was time to farewell Hamish and on Wednesday morning I did my stint at the Top-tip shop. Mel arrived after lunch to retrieve some equipment for her studies and to collect some penguin poo for DNA analysis.

Penguin habitat

​Chris and Hiltrun returned on Thursday night and we completed the other areas at Seal point so feel very pleased with getting that work done.

A seal pup checking out the soft release pen

​Slowly but surely our hospital penguins are returning to the wild. The rough weather stalled a couple of them, but as the sea calms down, off they go. I now have 2 penguins here and 4 in soft release.
 

Soft release - the penguins go when they are ready!

Other than them, we now see very few penguins except on the camera as they are all out fishing during the day.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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