With nesting over and moulting probably over, we can now get some feeling for how the 22/23 season has gone.

It must have been a horrible one for the poor little kororā as they’ve battled floods through their nests and high seas blocking access to

their shore sites. Half of our LPP penguin boxes were smashed in the cyclone.

They were in positions that have never been near storm surges in the past, so if the meteorologists’ prediction that this is the new normal is correct, we need to

review where we put them! For all the Kororā who chose natural sites rather than boxes, it has been tough. Storm after storm, their nest tunnels have been

blocked by debris, opened again, only to be blocked once more.

We have an important request to make. Please, if you see a Kororā anywhere, do not touch it. Lifting them can easily cause harm to the bird. While they might

look distressed, they probably aren’t. They might be disheveled because they are moulting! (Rod Stewart’s hair can look ragged but he’s just fine!) However, if

there are obvious injuries, or if you feel they are vulnerable to dog disturbance, please ring us and let us know. Madeleine 027 565 8817; Jenny 021 167 1524;

Tony 021 0251 9299.

My learning for this month came from a Kororā/Little Blue Penguin that was reported in Matheson Bay. When I saw it, it wasn’t blue. Not even a hint of blue.

It was a definite brown colour. After consulting an expert from the NZ Penguin Initiative I now know that as they approach moulting season their gorgeous

blue plumage fades to gorgeous grey brown. It almost looked like a different bird!

Neil Sutherland. For the LPP team. Reposted with permission from Leigh Rag - [email protected]