Sunday 31st July 2016

Bringing gifts

​Hello friends and family
The big bad-weather event last weekend gave us 17 mm of rain which is close to the year’s biggest rainfall in a day! What it means is that the ground is slippery and great care is needed when negotiating the sheep tracks around the cliff tops.

curious seal pup

​Fortunately, my accident of the week was not a fall, but getting hammered while holding a stake in place to secure a penguin house from moving. I coped with 2 black thumbs for a few days!

penguins colonizing new places

​On Wednesday Chris and I visited Janice who was in fine form and as supportive as ever. She has her sister visiting from Australia so it is nice to know that she has company. Karsten, our volunteer from Germany has been working hard all week, making houses and clearing blocked paths.

NZ falcon

​The highlight of the week was seeing a pod of whales passing by. We counted at least 5 and they appeared to be Hump-backed Whales. It is unusual to see them this far south at this time of the year. They are on their way to the tropics for the winter. We were also treated to a visit by the NZ Falcon while working in the bush at Okahau point.

waiting for his partner to come home

We are down to 3 juvenile Yellow-eyed penguins in care as the 2 that we took to the soft release pens escaped and we got one more in.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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