Sunday 26th August 2018

​Hello friends and family
Another wonderful week in paradise. The penguins are starting to stay home and prepare their nests for the arrival of new eggs in about 4 weeks’ time. On Sunday and Monday, I caught up on the mundane household tasks which were only relieved by a “Bon Voyage” lunch with Marian.

Loyal seal mums are still feeding their pups

​Jan and Robbie came out on Tuesday and we checked and re-baited all the traps and met up with Ross, the farm manager to discuss management of sheep and ponds. He is planning the work for a large digger to come in and remove most of the risky water to reduce the mosquito population and ultimately, the risk of Avian Malaria wiping out the penguins. We also planted 42 cabbage trees and found our first mosquito larvae. Fortunately, they were dead – probably because of Sunday’s frost, but a signal that management of standing water has to start now.

A new pair - a bit confused about what is happening

​ON Friday the team headed south, and we visited the Dunedin Wildlife hospital, Penguin Place and Chris and Hiltrun’s place. The Wildlife hospital is set up very well, a large open space for working in and quiet wards for the patients. Lisa has state of the art equipment and is achieving impressive results for our wildlife. Penguin Place has flourished since I was last there, the trees have matured, and the place looks fantastic – ideal penguin habitat. We met the ducks and geese at Chris and Hiltrun’s place and checked out the 100s of trees waiting in the nursery for us to plant out when they are big enough.

Spring has sprung in the garden

​My truck got the once over while we were in Dunedin and it needs serious repairs – never mind, a safe vehicle is a priority.

Beautiful in my eyes - a drained pond on the farm.

Have a great week!
Rosalie
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