THE LEIGH PENGUIN PROJECT - Mr. Lonely and Mrs. Dopey

Last season a volunteer found penguin poo at the entrance of a nesting box where no signs of penguins were seen before. It was exciting that penguins had explored the box and began nesting. But onshore

easterly storms caused many boxes to wash away, including this one. Later, a local found the box washed up on a beach and returned it.

Tony and I placed it back in the same location but a little further up the hill where it would be safer from stormy weather.

In early August a volunteer saw penguin poo at the box entrance. A motion camera confirmed the presence of one penguin. Over the next five weeks the camera recorded Mr. Lonely Penguin carrying nesting material into the box. I wondered how long before he found a mate? Then on September 15th two penguins arrived at the nesting box! Lonely had finally found his girl. However, she seemed to have a lot of trouble finding her way into the box, (so I called her Mrs. Dopey). She would go right past the doorway to the back of the box, jump on top and look around. When Mr. Lonely poked his head out to see where she was, she would follow him inside. The camera recorded a huge amount of noise as they greeted each other. After a few days Mrs. Dopey got the hang of getting inside without his help.

The pair were frequently recorded moving in and out of the box at night. Then on September 24th one penguin emerged while the other stayed inside. I guessed that an egg was laid and hoped a second egg would come soon. Unfortunately, a downpour mud-splattered the camera, requiring a day’s maintenance. That night a large dog pushed the box downhill in an attempt to get the penguins. The dog succeeded in killing at least one.

Some remains were found nearby and dog footprints around the box. Hopefully the story doesn’t end here and the other penguin escaped!

DOG OWNERS! KEEP YOUR DOG LEASHED ON COASTLINE TRAILS.

Many thanks to those who already do this!

Author: Jenny Enderby [email protected] 0275-658-817

Reposted with permission.