Sunday 4th February 2018

growing nicely on a diet of salmon

​Hello friends and family
The week began with a hiss and a roar with penguins getting sick and a new Fiordland Crested penguin coming into care with damaged feet. The new fish was too small and the dishwasher broke down (again) Oh for a simple life!

Playing on the beach before the storm

The upside was that I saw a pod of at least 10 Hector’s dolphins in the bay. They were playing and flipping and generally lolling about so that cheered me up no end.
Dolphins
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A Shy Mollymawk cast off to die

​By Tuesday we had another chick die in the reserve and a Snares Crested penguin come in from Waikouaiti. Robbie visited on Wednesday and generously offered to help with our work. While he was here we came across a dead Mollymawk that had taken a bait. Instead of removing the hook, the fisherperson just cut the line about a meter from the bird – it died.

The Snares Crested - too exhausted to stand

​We got 60 mm of rain on Thursday which was certainly needed and has not done any damage that I have found yet. I saw every chick here on Friday morning and on my way home I saw Orcas swimming in very close. I was able to point them out to Patrick too – somehow these awesome experiences are even better shared.

spoonbills on the wing

Chris and Hiltrun arrived last night and today we will check most of the chicks for their 90-day weight. That is the last we will have to do with them before they fledge.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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