Sunday 2nd September 2018

Nest site chosen, eggs brewing, life is great

​Hello friends and family
Last Saturday I picked up our first patient for the 2018/19 season. He is a young male with an injured, bleeding flipper but under 5 Kgs so I kept him until yesterday, so he could fatten up a bit. I collected a blood sample, so we could check for Malaria.

The day after a working bee.

​Sunday was busy with 7 volunteers working for the penguins and progress was made all round! On Monday while Jan and I were doing the trapline, we saw dolphins close in to the shore, heading north quickly, but not so fast that they could not manage a couple of flips.

Some of our supervisors in action

​Tuesday was quiet and on Wednesday Jan, Robbie and I went for a walk in the Herbert forest and we visited the Waianakarua site for the first time. It is much bigger than I expected, and I see the first step as being fencing off a manageable area. There are serious issues there to challenge restoration, including a herd of goats and rampant hemlock.

Just a few small corners to go!

​I have begun monitoring standing water for mosquito larvae. At this stage I am not treating any until I find living larvae. I have found dead ones in several places.

Penguins are choosing nest sites at the moment

We have finished most of the mosquito proofing of the hospital and now will fix the last issues and turn our attention to the pens both here and for soft release. Yesterday we worked to penguin music in both reserves as the birds called to each other and because spring has sprung!
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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