Sunday 2nd October 2016.

Down to the serious business of incubating eggs.

​Hello friends and family.
Well this has been a grey old week. We have not had a lot of rain, but we have had drizzle and a cold wind. All I did on Sunday and Monday was the monitoring rounds. Two more of our breeding females here laid an egg and so there was only a few of the regulars left to go.

Welcome home to the Titi

​Chris and Hiltrun came up on Tuesday night and on Wednesday we did the monitoring rounds. We found 3 more nests here which brings us to a total of 26. This is 1 up on last season and a miracle. At Okahau point we have 21 nests and all adult penguins have been recorded this month – another miracle. There are still 2 young females here that we have not yet recorded so we are still on the lookout.

Two Pied Shags roosting at Hampden with a duck!

​We also welcomed home the Titi which arrived and started clearing out their old burrows – a few bunnies will be getting a hurry up. The Spotted Shags are also checking out nest sites in their full breeding finery.

Dressed in his breeding best

​Thursday and Friday were a bit warmer and so I planted some Zucchini and Broccoli seeds for the garden. I have started bringing potting mix home ready for the tomatoes at Labour weekend.

8 unemployed penguins hanging at Harry's Bay

​Chris and Hiltrun came up on Friday night and we spent yesterday doing nest rounds and checking out what other birds have started breeding. It was great to see that the Spoonbills are back!

Fine nests but no Spotted Shag eggs yet.

Have a great week!
Rosalie
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