The chicks certainly are on the move. This dad has taken his two chicks from the Hartfiel Family nest box - which gets quite a bit of sun and could be getting a bit warm at times - to the forest where they hang out during the day. The chicks are at their cutest now - soon they start growing adult-like feathers and get that untidy look!

Stewie Junior and Anna have two beautiful chicks again this season and they are starting to get a bit more adventurous and explore their surroundings.

We feel blessed in New Zealand that we can spend Christmas with friends and family and realise many around the world are unable to. So we send all the penguin lovers around the world our best wishes for the festive season and hope you have a cheerful Christmas wherever you are. A huge thank you to all you who have sponsored a precious penguin and/or house. We so appreciate your interest and support. You make a huge difference.
P.S. this is Bruce and Chicky with Iris and her sibling who live in Casa Lola!

She is very good at hiding her chick that is now 46 days old. It's doing very well - and the pooh on mum's face will wash off in the next trip to sea!

These two have started to look like big soft toys and they are growing fast. Dylan and his mate are doing a fab job carting food to them. Mum is out to sea fishing on this morning's round so dinner is on its way!

Boy, those chicks grow fast and they are starting to wander about a bit which means that they don't always sit nicely near the name of their box now. It's just as well because the boxes are starting to be a bit stinky.

Over the last few weeks we have encountered other penguins in our colony but it doesn't always work to get a photo and often we work out who that was only later. So far this season we have found: Little Chang (juvenile), Lola (juvenile) and Jax (adult), as well as already reported Pyne and Pompey (both adults).
our website: www.penguins.org.nz
The photo is of a random penguin - none of the above!

This pair unfortunately failed to hatch their eggs. They have been sitting faithfully but then gave up and were seen hanging about in the colony. They had a good practice run at incubating which will help them next season. For now they can relax, enjoy the summer and prepare for the moult. Without chicks to feed, they ought to do well provided they don't get injured or catch Malaria!

Like last year we have a chick in this sponsored box and they are the same parents. Just like last year they were one of the last ones to have the eggs so their chick is still quite small but it is growing every day under the watchful eyes of its parents.