The West Coast Blue Penguin Trust was created in 2006 by West Coasters concerned at the level of seemingly unfettered coastal development. Now, there is more understanding of the coastal environment and seabird habitat by local authorities, developers and the general public. However, concern is being expressed by environmentalists as the West Coast Regional Council is proposing more use […]
Category: News
Report from the Sub-Antarctic
Kerry-Jayne Wilson has just sent her report on Leg 1 of the Spirit of Mawson expedition. She has been flat out doing bird counts with no time for blogging but you can read her report here: First Leg – A return to the Sub Antarctics. […]
National Radio – Insight Programme
During the Conservation Inc community conservation conference in Dunedin last month, Trust Chair, Kerry-Jayne Wilson was one of those interviewed for yesterday’s Radio New Zealand Insight programme, presented by Philippa Tolley. The subject was “Changes at DOC” and you can listen here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight […]
Blue Penguin Trust and DOC to Partner Tawaki Conservation
We have always wanted to expand our work to include other West Coast seabirds in particular Tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin), and that looks likely to happen next year. We are currently working with DOC to develop a multi-party partnership focused on Tawaki conservation. […]
Census Results Suggest Blue Penguin Numbers are Declining
Blue penguin numbers seem to be declining on the West Coast according to the results of the eighth annual survey. Where the same stretches of beach have been surveyed in both 2012 and 2013, penguin tracks counted were down from 397 to 338 this year. Weeks of stormy weather led to a worse than average […]
Conservation Inc. Conference
WCBPT Trustees attended the “Conservation Inc.” Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust Conference in Dunedin on 17-18 October. This 25th anniversary conference asked the question “What’s ahead for community-based conservation in New Zealand? […]
Satellite Tracking for West Coast Penguins
In a first for the West Coast, the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust has undertaken a pilot programme to see where little blue penguins go to find food. The study will use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking technology to monitor the penguins as they head out into the Tasman Sea to find food for their […]
Nest Checking at Charleston
Update on breeding season by Blue Penguin Trust Media Liaison Anna Hollings Friday the thirteenth seemed like a very auspicious day to go out with Reuben on his nest checking rounds at Charleston, and we were certainly lucky with the weather. It was a beautiful sunny day and I even managed to get some good […]
Blue Penguin highway death toll rising
A heart breaking sight greeted Blue Penguin Trust supporter and Fox River resident, Fiona McDonald last Sunday, yet another blue penguin road death. To make matters worse, this penguin was one of just six counted in the area as part of the 2013 Blue Penguin census. Fiona picked up no less than three penguins killed […]
Planting working bee, Cobden Island 10th May
As part of the Cobden Wetland restoration (Northern Breakwater) project, DOC has been working to restore wetland habitat. You are invited to join local DOC staff at 10am on Friday 10th May to help planting and join in a BBQ afterwards. […]
