Our group keeps in contact with the New Zealand Penguin Initiative, an organisation that coordinates penguin study with penguin groups around New Zealand.

Some areas are reporting a low number of penguins seen in their nest sites this year. It has been the same in our area and could be due to a very wet July and stormy weather.

This may delay or disrupt the penguins egg laying. Monitoring of penguins around our coast has shown birds coming ashore at several places along Goat Island Beach and alongside the Ti Point coastal walkway. We have also moved a few penguin nesting boxes to places we hope will be better.

Already one box moved in May has had a visit from a pair of penguins. It was funny watching a video of them as one entered the box while the other stood on top, calling as if to say where are you? Or perhaps it was a game of penguin hide and seek. Eventually the other penguin entered, followed by a lot of noise inside the box.

Unfortunately a few dead penguins were also spotted recently on a Leigh coast beach, but it is not known how they died. If you see any dead birds we would be keen to know and see if a cause of death can be identified.

In the meantime, many thanks to all our trappers for their continued support in reducing the predators around our coast.

*Author: Jenny Enderby / [email protected] for Leigh Rag [email protected]

Reposted with permission.