 Staying home to prepare for their new family Hello friends and family The team came out on Tuesday and we did the rounds. There was 14 occupied nests here, 9 at Okahau and 2 at the Bluffs – very exciting! In the afternoon, a pair of workers came out with an Oyster Catcher that they had found going around in circles on the beach by the Moeraki Boulders.  Spring has sprung! I put it in our isolation box and called MPI. They got back to me about an hour later and it was Janelle, a vet friends from WReNNZ. The next morning, the Oyster Catcher was still alive but still showing nerological symptoms. A vet came around 11am and took it away for testing. I was impressed with MPI’s response as efficient and effective. We await the results.  getting ready! I have spent the week battling the flu. Some drugs help and some don’t. The weather hasd been fine and a strong sou’wester is blowing. This may explain why, when the neighbour’s place caught on fire and the fire brigade came out to put the fire out at 3am on Saturday morning, I slept right through the whole thing  The Clematis has outdone itself Have a great week! Rosalie   A Great conference Hello friends and family It has been a busy two weeks The good news is that Hoiho will be vaccinated. We don’t know when or how but are thrilled that it’s going to happen.  We got our first glimpse of the pelicans on our way into Phillip Island Last Friday, I drove to Christchurch and flew to New Plymouth. I got to catch up with Paul, Olivia and Jen and we all went to Pamela’s 70th birthday along with Dot who I hadn’t seen for a few years. I also caught up with Rachel which was a buzz.  Phillip Island Nuggets are called the Nobbies! Then on Tuesday morning, I flew to Auckland and had a bit of time so took a bus and two trains to Henderson had lunch with Lynn and Michele and then returned to the airport to meet Dan, and in the evening, we flew to Melbourne.  The big city was very shiny! The next morning, we picked up the rental car and went to Philip Island for the penguin conference Penguin conferences are always full on. My experience was made miserable by developing a nasty cold in transit so I saw most of the conference via a video link to the dining room so I didn’t cough in the auditorium and spoil the experience for everybody else. I was well enough to enjoy the dinner and the penguin parade.  rocks on Phillip Island which could have come straight from Sci-Fi Philip Island penguin parade is a special experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone. There is such an abundance of penguins there that it’s magical.  the pink penguin After the conference, Dan and I made our way back to Melbourne and waited for our delayed flight back to Auckland. He dropped me at the airport in the morning, and I flew south and had lunch with Pauline. By the time I arrived home, it had rained all the way and it was 5pm. Have a great week! Rosalie   Mr. 26 has got the season underway Hello friends and family Slowly spring is arriving and at last, some penguins are staying home to build their nests. We are ever mindful of the impending El Nino event, so planting out tiny trees is not useful right now. Instead, I am doing sewing and craft which I enjoy.  Nothing like a little protest action Vetpost are giving away a car. If you use the link below to enter the draw, Penguin Rescue will get a credit on our next purchase. https://vetpost.co.nz/giveaway/penguin-rescue  Noel is home to build his nest I have continued using the trail camera on the Hide landing and have gained a lot of terrible pictures – the main concern revealed is a cat walking past.  time to go fishing Paddy Gower did a feature on Hoiho on Tuesday night. It brought to light the terrible plight of the penguins and how the authorities keep them invisible by not designation the correct endangerment status to them. In this way they do not attract the resources that are needed. You can stream the entire show on demand for free via the ThreeNow Paddy Gower Has Issues Page.  A penguin in box 22 - who is it? DOC did allocate over $1m to Hoiho recovery work in the Community fund allocation - $500,000 + to the Dunedin Wildlife hospital and $500,000 to the other rehab facility at the OPERA. This is great news – our application, of course was once again rejected.  Not the first one home today! Penguin Rescue is now set up for the roll-out of the H5N1 vaccine – we have the gear to implement full biosecurity for 12 penguins at a time, daily, for as long as necessary. Now we wait. In the meantime, another case has been confirmed in New Zealand and birds in Australia are dying – terns in their thousands and Little penguins in groups. Next week I am off to the International Penguin Conference and am looking forward to catching up with friends and relations while I am on the move! Have a great week! Rosalie   The Kowhai in bloom Hello friends and family Each year, the seasons are generally predictable, but there is always variation in how they unfold for different species. So far, we have had only one week of winter, and spring is just a couple of weeks away. The kōwhai trees are flowering early, while the penguins are late to start nest building.  eager shags The Spotted shags have their nests now, but the ground is too slippery to get close for a good photo. The highlight of the week was spotting 2 juvies on the trail camera. It’s a good sign when they come back in August.  The 2 juvies are side by side August is the month when subs are due. The membership for penguin rescue remains at $20 to keep it affordable but we are all very grateful for those of you who top it up to $50 because you care about the penguins. Paying is easy. Set up Katiki Point Penguin Refuge Trust as someone to pay. Penguin Rescue does work but is not a match for the account holder. The bank account is Kiwi Bank 38-9016-0481348-01. The AGM is all set up Saturday 19th September, at the Moeraki Hall at 3 pm.  The carpark is full, even on a weekday morning in winter I did an interview with Paddy Gower as part of a Hoiho story. It is due to screen on Tuesday night at 7:30pm on TV3. Have a great week! Rosalie   the pocket warmers came out this week Hello friends and family We were plunged into winter this week. It was one of days indoors with the heater on, hot custard and fruit, and layers.  sea mist The team came out on Tuesday morning and we talked a lot about politics and bird flu’.  Wednesday was my day at the Toptip and the sun shone. The locals came out to socialize and we took over $100. I decided to continue to Oamaru and do the shopping, going to Macca’s for lunch.  colorful weather I thought I would try their new burger with a Hashbrown in it – nice but not a game changer as they had also put bacon in it which smothered the flavours.  Ice on the windows On Thursday Robbie got the Web camera going again which was most appreciated. I have yet to see any penguins at home, nest building, but in the past, it has been nearer the end of August.  The NZ Shags are looking plump Have a great week! Rosalie   A puddle of penguins Hello friends and family, The week began with lovely weather, so Jan and I went down the hill to watch the penguins coming in to Hide Bay. It was well worth the effort, as there was a good number of them gathered on the landing, apparently discussing penguin politics.  Kowhai blooming On Tuesday morning, the team came out and we made a plan for vaccinating our breeding penguins. This will be no small feat, as we had 30 nests across three sites last season, and we want to get the first dose done before bird flu arrives in the South Island. The aim is to minimise disturbance and maximise cover. The team wanted to see the plan in writing, so I commissioned Dan to create an infographic, which I think is awesome. We also microchipped our juvenile in care and took a blood sample.  We are ready In the afternoon, I went to the dentist — no fun there, but I am all done for another year.  cows, gulls and geese sharing the same waterway On Thursday, we did the rounds and took the juvenile to the Bluffs. There is a spare male there who just might show an interest, which could help keep her in a safe place for her future. Her blood results were all clear, which is a real plus.  snow on the hills Then the temperature dropped for the next two days. Friday was stormy, but by Saturday I was still able to walk the coast and check on things. Have a great week! Rosalie   Flocks on the wing - now a cause for cooncern Hello friends and family The week started with reasonable weather, with cold frosty mornings giving way to pleasant afternoons. The improving conditions allowed me to continue catching up on some outdoor jobs around the sanctuary, including lawn mowing, vegetation control, and monitoring rounds.  In a hurry to get away, looking healthy On Tuesday the team gathered for our regular fieldwork and planning session. A major topic of discussion was the arrival of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) in New Zealand and the practical steps we need to take to protect both our wildlife and our team. Following our discussions, we implemented Level 1 biosecurity measures around the sanctuary. Hand sanitiser stations and foot sanitising points were put in place, and we reviewed our procedures for handling birds and accessing sensitive areas.  This seal took a wrong turn! The team then headed out to complete monitoring work across our various sites. Robbie and Murray cleared some trees blocking the solar panels that drive the webcam. More needs to be done as it has gone off air again. Throughout the week our one rehab patient ate well, which is always good. It allowed us time to focus on preventative measures, maintenance work, and ensuring we are as prepared as possible should the disease situation change. I have planted the first trees of the season There has been considerable public interest in bird flu since the announcement, so I wrote an article for the local newspaper. While there is currently no cause for alarm in our region, it is a reminder of just how connected conservation, farming, and community wellbeing can be.  Our resident heron is alone again As winter continues, we are looking ahead to the upcoming breeding season and making sure everything is in place for another busy year caring for hoiho and the many other species that call our coastline home.  Where did this beauty come from? For now, we are watching closely, preparing carefully, and continuing to do what we can for the penguins. Have a great week! Rosalie   Dan and I rescued this juvenile on Tuesday evening This week began away from home and ended back at the lighthouse at Moeraki, with the familiar rhythm of sanctuary life waiting at the end of the journey. After time in Papamoa house-sitting for family, it was time to return south, flying from Tauranga to Christchurch before making the final leg back towards North Otago, on the bus.  mischief in triplicate! Pauline kindly picked me up from Christchurch airport, and we had time for breakfast together before I joined her at the vet clinic. Later, Dan met me in Oamaru, and we went out for dinner before heading home to the lighthouse. It is always good to come back, even when the week ahead is already shaping up to be a busy one.  Another glorious sunset There was also time for our regular community routine at the Resource Recovery Centre on Wednesday morning, helping to give pre-loved items a second life. It is a lovely contrast to the sanctuary work: practical, local, and full of small reminders that conservation is not only about wildlife, but also about how we value and reuse what we already have.  The camera is down at the moment, but the penguins are keeping their routine By midweek, however, our attention shifted sharply. On Wednesday afternoon, the news came through that highly pathogenic avian influenza had been found in New Zealand. For those of us caring for vulnerable seabirds, this was the kind of announcement we had been hoping would not come but preparing for all the same. At our team meeting on Thursday morning, we discussed stepping up to Level 1 biosecurity. This means being even more vigilant about hygiene, movement around the sanctuary, and anything that could increase risk to the penguins in our care. We have been checking our supplies, including disinfectant, and thinking carefully about how best to protect the birds while continuing the essential work of rehabilitation.  The night sky is so accessible in winter, and beautiful too One of the most important messages for the public is simple: if you find dead seabirds, please do not touch or move them. Report them to MPI so the right people can respond safely. This protects people, domestic birds, and wildlife, and it gives authorities the information they need to track what is happening. For now, we are watching closely, preparing carefully, and continuing to do what we can for the penguins. Have a great week! Rosalie  |
Archives
July 2026
|
RSS Feed
Te whaka oraka o te takaraka
Penguin Rescue is a member of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand
Thank you to our sponsors;
HAMPDEN COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUSTIN COMPANY
