The annual West Coast blue penguin census will take place between 22 and 26 August and we’d like you to be part of it! (Photo: Fern Collings Davis of Hokitika Scouts points out penguin tracks)
The census is an opportunity to get out to re-discover your local beach and find out whether penguins are active there, and if so, how many. For the past few years, supporters up and down the coast have been getting up early to walk the beaches and count penguin tracks in the sand.
The more knowledge the Trust has of the presence of penguins, and numbers relative to other years, the more population numbers and changes can be understood and actions taken to reduce declining numbers where possible. Most importantly, the information informs submissions on matters such as regional plans and resource consent applications.
If you can take part, please have a look at the information here, and then email info@bluepenguin.org.nz, to let us know which stretch of beach, short or long, that you intend to survey.
Fingers crossed for some stunning mornings – like this one from last year’s census, just north of Hokitika.
