Sunday 30th April 2023

free at last

​Hello friends and family
Cool mornings and nice days have been the theme this week. There has been enough wind to be an excuse to stay indoors if required. On Tuesday, we rescued one penguin from down the hill that had been in care but was sick again. We saw the dolphins again! In the afternoon, Murray went to the Bluffs and found another dead penguin. It went off for an autopsy.

The lucky ones

Murray captures the evening magic

​On Wednesday we had a break in routine, and we went to the Bluffs to check for any more penguins, but they were all out fishing. After coffee at Robbie’s, we collected Kanuka seedlings from up the road. His neighbourhood is stunning with autumn colours everywhere. I will pot the seedlings up over the next few weeks.

​On Thursday we once again, checked the colonies for missing moulters and actually found one. Mrs 121 was in a nest box, weighed 6.9kg, and has yet to moult. She will get a helping hand. In the afternoon, Jan took Tuesday’s penguin down to the wildlife hospital and I potted up Kanuka.

a pause in the business of the day

​On Friday I released 3 more penguins that were ready to go and did more cleaning. I got a call to the Moeraki Boulders and picked up a little penguin – freshly moulted and needing help. Yesterday was our red-letter day. We picked up 3 pre-moult penguins. Mrs 147, 25 and Mr 209. On average, penguins come in to moult 21 days after their chicks fledge. We picked up the last of the chicks on 28th February. These ones turned up 60 days later. We are so happy to see them alive.

Mrs 147 ready to moult

Have a great week!
Rosalie