Now is a vulnerable time for an at-risk species: the little blue penguin. 

At this time every year, the little blue penguins come to shore for their moult, when they take two to three weeks to replace their feathers. During this period, they cannot swim because their plumage is not waterproof and they're not well insulated, they are unable to go into the ocean to source food. They are very vulnerable to dogs, cats and stoats. 

We are currently in the midst of the annual penguin moult. So please, be aware of sensitive areas, keep your distance and watch your pets.

Disturbing the penguins can force birds to flee into the ocean and to expend their valuable energy needed for moulting and defending themselves. This can be fatal, with penguins facing hypothermia and starvation.

You can help by keeping your dogs on leads in penguin areas - birds take refuge in vegetation close to shores and are easy for dogs to find. Please also ensure you give penguins plenty of space.

The little blue penguin species has been deemed ‘at risk’ by the Department of Conservation; their population has been declining in areas not protected from predators. Where predator control is in place, populations have been stable or increasing.

Penguins aren't at their cutest at this very vulnerable time of the year, and over 50 penguin nesting boxes offering these little guys some more substantial shelter from predators during moulting and nesting times, mostly made by members of Forest and Bird NZ, have been placed around the Ti Point, Leigh and Goat Island coast. 

This project has been dubbed the Leigh Penguin Project.