Sunday 3rd March 2024

magnificent

​Hello friends and family,
Another quiet start to the week. It is now getting very dry here and watering is on top of the list. I am harvesting courgettes, carrots, tomatoes, and beans at present. On Sunday, the chicks in soft release fledged and all the chicks in the colony have gone.

first day home together to begin the moult

​The team came out on Tuesday and the day began with a Tawaki rescue at the Moeraki Boulders. Searching for underweight and injured penguins is the top of the list at this time of the season. Often the penguins underweight have minor foot injuries which would become enough to cause big problems without help. We picked up 3 underweight moulters at Okahau. The last 3 pre-fledge chicks went to soft release and fledged on Friday afternoon.

penguins love to stand on trap boxes

​I went to town on Wednesday. The drying out scenery is almost autumnal, but I am still in summer mode. Some drizzle mid-week was a good excuse to do little!
On Thursday morning we found another 3 needy penguins and Jan stayed and cleaned out the pens.

Going walk about during the moult

The end of the week was quiet too. The weather was good and the 22 penguins in care are all making steady progress. Someone stole the wooden penguin from the gate so we will replace it with another one.
Have a great week!
Rosalie