Over 80 West Coasters took to the beaches between the 13th and 16th of August as part of the annual West Coast Blue Penguin Trust census.
Hardy Coaster’s braved the early morning chill to count blue penguin prints on beaches from Karamea to Haast. Final results are still a month away but many volunteers did mention that they saw a lot of dog prints around the penguin prints which is worrying.
While not scientific the census provides valuable information about trends in penguin numbers. At last years census the Scouts found evidence of penguins north of Hokitika which has resulted in a habitat restoration project.
West Coast Blue Penguin Trust chairwoman Kerry-Jayne Wilson says it is great to see so many Coaster’s getting involved.
“It is a great turn out this year with over double the number of volunteers compared to last year. Thanks to all those who helped,” she says.
This year census volunteers also recorded the number of banded dotterels, variable (black) oystercatchers and dead prions they saw. It is thought between 350 and 500 thousand prions may have died in storms last month and researchers have asked for help from the Trust in estimating the numbers.
“We think dotterels are declining in numbers and oystercatchers are increasing and want information on these changes,” says Kerry-Jayne.
