News

Work starts on new penguin protection fence in Hokitika

The biggest killer of blue penguins on the West Coast is vehicles on coast roads and that includes a section of the highway north of Hokitika.  Six penguins have been killed on the road in recent years around the Houhou Creek bridge and sewage ponds but penguins in the area will soon be spared this risk. While Westland Milk Products (WMP) developed the plan to install a pipeline at 2 mile, they started learning about penguins, many of which were nesting between the beach and the paddocks in that area. Chris Pullen, Environmental Manager, explained. “When we first went to look at the site with the West Coast Penguin Trust, we walked out onto the dunes and there were penguin tracks everywhere.  Clearly, we had to ensure we didn’t disturb them through this major construction project and in fact we wanted to do more than that and actively protect them.  A penguin protection fence was an obvious solution, and we will also be restoring part of the site with penguins and possible nest sites in mind.” Trust Manager, Inger Perkins, added: “Blue penguins, at around 30cm tall, are vulnerable to so many threats.  Here on the coast, vehicles are the number one threat and keeping penguins off the road with our penguin protection fence north of Punakaiki has meant no more penguins killed in that area.  This new fence, entirely and generously funded by Westland Milk Products, will be preventing penguins being killed on the road.  As a result, more penguins will survive because, if a breeding adult is killed, the nest – two eggs or chicks – will fail, and subsequent potential generations lost.” Local fencer, John Steele, has been contracted by WMP to do the work, which is one of his more challenging and unusual projects.  Work began recently and will include fencing under the Houhou Creek bridges as well as some ‘escape hatches’ to ensure that if a penguin finds itself on the wrong side of the fence, it can get back towards the sea.  Gates within the fence will have gaps filled to ensure these smallest of penguins cannot sneak through or under them.

With so few trains passing through the area, the railway had not thought to be a potential cause of death for penguins but sadly a penguin was reported to have been killed by a train in the same area late last year.  The penguin protection fence will be installed on the seaward side of the railway and go around the seaward side of the sewage ponds. “This is the quietest time of year for penguins,” said Perkins.  “Breeding finished around December and they will have completed their moult in February/March.  A few penguins hang around all year, but most disappear for two to three months before returning to start preparing for the new breeding season around June.  The fence should be completed by then.” In addition, the careful restoration and planting of parts of the construction site has penguins in mind.  The site fencing will keep dogs out but allow penguins through and nest boxes will be included in suitable areas resulting in a ‘penguin sanctuary’. “Dogs are the second biggest threats to penguins on the coast with around 1 in 5 penguin deaths reported being due to dog attacks.  Nest boxes inside this fenced area, an area close to existing penguin nesting areas, would be a safe place for a new penguin family to take up residence.” Penguin protection fence sign

Following last year’s successful inauguration of World Albatross Day on 19 June, ACAP has adopted the theme “Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries” to mark the day this year. 

Join with us in acknowledging World Albatross Day this year and take action to protect these magnificent birds.

Following on from last year’s World Albatross Day theme of “Eradicating Island Pests”, ACAP’s (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels) chosen theme for 2021 is “Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries”.

It is a well known and appalling fact that many thousands of albatrosses and petrels are dying every year as a result of fishing operations. This was the main driving force for the establishment of ACAP two decades ago and addressing this continuing conservation problem remains an important part of ACAP’s ongoing work.

Solutions are available to address this conservation crisis. This year’s World Albatross Day, celebrated on 19 June, aims both to draw attention to the problem and to highlight best-practice solutions, such as the use of bird-scaring lines in both longline and trawl fisheries, line weighting and night setting or use of hook-shielding devices by longliners and management of offal discharge by trawlers. New Zealand is a party to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and we know some measures are in place to prevent any harm to these seabirds, but there's always room for improvement while any birds are dying - through injury or drowning. You can help when you choose the fish you buy - at the supermarket, at fish and chip shops and at restaurants. Find Forest & Bird's best fish guide here.

Did you know that there exist 22 albatross species in the World? And that they can fly 16,000 kms without returning to land? These spectacular birds are being recognised globally for one day. In support of World Albatross Day ACAP intends to highlight one or more of the 22 albatross species each year with posters and other artworks.  The featured species chosen for 2021 are the two most threatened albatrosses, both categorized by IUCN as Critically Endangered (defined as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild).  The two Critically Endangered albatrosses, the Tristan of Gough Island and the Waved from the Galapagos, have been chosen to serve as ‘feature species’ to draw attention to the continuing threats all the world’s species of albatrosses face at sea from fisheries.

It is hoped that as many organizations, schools, Trusts, members of the public will be able to use the resources created by ACAP to support their own celebrations of World Albatross Day as 19 June approaches – and on the day itself.  They may all be found in the World Albatross Day section on the ACAP website (www.acap.aq), accessible from the home page.  Please contact ACAP’s Information Officer if you have any difficulty finding or downloading any of the items mentioned.

ACAP has produced a series of posters depicting the two species which can be freely downloaded from its website.  Two infographics have also been produced which aim to highlight the threats the two species face in an informative and readily understandable way.  Also available are two-page attractively illustrated species summaries for all the albatrosses that are aimed for school learners and teachers, and the general public, being written in non-technical language.  And a quiz and word scramble.

Did you know that the oldest known wild bird in the world is a 69-year old Laysan Albatross? Find out some more facts about this fascinating bird by taking ACAP's quiz.

Join with us to celebrate World Albatross Day June 19th!

The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust and the West Coast Penguin Trust have teamed up to bring you a stunning behind the scenes fundraising tour for our supporters this spring.

The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust and the West Coast Penguin Trust have teamed up to bring you a stunning behind the scenes fundraising tour, led by the hugely experienced Nature Quest, for our supporters. There's just one opportunity to join a trip, departing from Nelson on 3rd September and running to 10th with an optional extension through the Catlins and to Stewart Island. If you're fortunate enough to join this tour, you’ll gain unforgettable insights in the lives and challenges of our beloved penguin species, state of the art Tawaki, Kororā, and Hoiho research, and unrivalled access to the dedicated staff that make everything happen.  And, of course you’ll see each species in its natural habitat, and all the while travelling through the spectacular South and Stewart Islands. Read the brochure here.  (Please note, the brochure indicates a second tour, but there is just the one opportunity so get in quick.) This is a fabulous opportunity for penguin lovers and a fabulous opportunity for the West Coast Penguin Trust to be involved. You can contact Nature Quest via nature@naturequest.co.nz or on 021 680 524.

Hokitika's Regent Theatre 3.30 - 5.30pm Saturday 27 March

The book launch will be more than a simple traditional celebration of a new book. It will be an opportunity for folk to learn more about the birds' ecology and how to protect them while having them live nearby.

Hokitika's Regent Theatre 3.30 - 5.30pm Saturday 27 March WEKA, OPPORTUNIST AND BATTLER The book launch will be more than a simple traditional celebration of a new book. It will be an opportunity for folk to learn more about the birds' ecology and how to protect them while having them live nearby. Trust Scientist and renowned bird ecologist, Kerry-Jayne Wilson will MC the event, sharing the stage with her friend and the author, Ralph Powesland. Event Components:

• MC: The Trust's own Kerry-Jayne Wilson - renowned bird ecologist and long time friend of Ralph.
• Ralph Powesland with an illustrated talk on his book and weka ecology, accompanied by Agnes Takacs, photographer in attendance.
• 1949 recording of A P Harper talking about Charlie Douglas and weka on the Coast in the 1890s. (And Canterbury in the 1870s!)
• Video of children's author Joy Cowley reciting her poem Weka, weka, nosey pecker.
• A reading of some of Charlie Douglas's views on weka - should be our national bird etc.
• Weka photography competition results. (Judged by Greymouth Photography Club). Winners on the main screen, all entries looping on smaller screen in foyer.
• Display of how to trap predators but not catch wekas - with DOC staffer in attendance at display to explain.
• Display and promo on dog aversion training, register of interest for next training.
• DOC Operations Manager, Nic Kunzmann on stage to refer folk to display trapping and aversion displays.
• Raffle (book prize) to be sold and drawn during the event.
• Q&A session.
• Formal launch ribbon cutting.
• Post formalities: Ralph and Agnes on hand to sign books (Take Note selling at the event).
• Also social time with refreshments for about an hour after the formalities. Includes time to look at trapping display.

There will be a modest cover charge of $10 for entry. The book will be available at the event for $25. The Theatre will have bookings available on its website soon. www.hokitikaregent.com

Come and join us for an update on our projects and a talk entitled 'World of Penguins' from Kerry-Jayne Wilson MNZM.

Come and join us for an update on our projects and a talk entitled 'World of Penguins' from Kerry-Jayne Wilson MNZM. Postponed by a year due to lockdown, we hope that this evening of illustrated talks will not be affected by high alert levels. The talks will be at the Tai Poutini Polytechnic lecture theatre in Greymouth at 5.30pm, Tuesday 11th May and will be followed by a cuppa. We hope you can join us to find out what we've been doing and to hear fascinating, enlightening and amusing penguins tales with wonderful photographs from Kerry-Jayne Wilson, our former Chair and still our esteemed Scientist.

Tawaki monitoring for the 2020 season found low stoat and rodent presence but some impact on breeding success due to stoat predation.

Tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) monitoring for the 2020 season found low stoat and rodent presence but some impact on breeding success due to stoat predation. Monitoring of breeding at tawaki nests occurred at the three sites with ten nests at each site being monitored by cameras and those and additional nests receiving a fortnightly visit.  Monitoring of stoats within and around the colonies was performed as scheduled with lured camera traps, tracking tunnels and the nest cameras.  Analysis of data is currently occurring. Preliminary results have shown low stoat and rodent presence at the three sites.  Impact upon breeding from predation did occur, at a low level, but even the failure of one or two from ten monitored nests indicates 10-20% failure.  Otherwise, all three sites had generally good breeding success for the 2020 season.  One theory is that there may have been enough rodents in the environment to provide easy prey and reduce the stoats’ need to predate tawaki eggs and chicks. Lead Ranger Matt Charteris and the WCPT have been greatly assisted with the data collection by Sarah Kivi, Andre de Graaf and Catherine Stewart as tawaki rangers for the season.  Support has been present from DOC in Haast and with conversations with Graeme Elliot (DOC Biodiversity Threats). We will be overlaying breeding success monitoring information for each nest with camera footage – if a nest failed then we will first look at video footage to establish if a stoat caused a failure and then determine the extent of further imagery review required to enable analysis of breeding success versus stoat presence.  Once completed, our analysis will provide a significant step forward in understanding the risk posed by stoats to the breeding success of tawaki and results will be shared through our website. We're enormously grateful to Wellington Zoo Trust, to the Birds NZ Research Fund, and to DOC for supporting this project.

The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and the West Coast Penguin Trust, in association with Nature Quest, are presenting two trips for nature enthusiasts in September focused on penguins and penguin conservation. 

South Island Penguins - Nature and Conservation Tours The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and the West Coast Penguin Trust, in association with Nature Quest, are presenting two trips for nature enthusiasts in September focused on penguins and penguin conservation. Nature Quest is a small nature tourism business, established in 1988.  Group sizes will be small, a maximum of 14, and will be led by an ornithologist with over 20 years leading nature tours.

This will be a perfect opportunity to become more acquainted with penguins and penguin conservation projects in the South Island.  Trips will last 10 days with the optional extra of extending to Stewart Island.  They will take in the West Coast – blue penguins in the Charleston area, and further south, plus Fiordland crested penguins with the West Coast Penguin Trust, and yellow-eyed penguins in Otago and Southland with the YEPT, including a visit to the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital. You will hear all about work behind the scenes by the Trusts and the hospital, hearing from managers and rangers and recognised experts in the world of penguin conservation. A baseline fee plus all profits from the trips will go towards the West Coast Penguin Trust and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. Trips depart in September 2021. For further details, see the trip brochure or please contact nature@naturequest.co.nz This is a fabulous opportunity for penguin enthusiasts and for the West Coast Penguin Trust and our friends at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust.

A wonderful donor has promised to match donations up to a very generous $3000. Now we need you to help us reach a potential donation total of $6000 towards maintaining and growing our penguin conservation programmes!

A wonderful supporter has promised to match donations up to a very generous $3,000. Now we need you to help us reach a potential donation total of $6,000 towards maintaining and growing our penguin conservation programmes! And we really do need your help.  Their donation relies on your donations.  They are encouraging us to seek your support, urging us on to make the most of their superb offer. All donations between February and May will count towards the $3000 target, whether the donation is already planned as part of your Supporter regular donations, whether you become a new Supporter with an annual donation or make a one off or regular donation, or put a couple of coins or a note in a donation box (e.g. New World and J's Cafe in Westport, Left Bank Gallery in Greymouth, Wilderness Gallery and Photo Corner in Hokitika and Treetop Walkway beyond), or a couple of other ways!  And all are so much appreciated!

You have the knowledge that your donation will be doubled, and our generous philanthropic champions receive assurance of our capacity to raise funds - doubling the joy of giving and doubling the work we can do for penguins here on the West Coast! Our champions have taken a significant knock through the COVID-19 pandemic but still want to support our work and to do it in a meaningful way, helping us to do more. Their challenge to us is to invite and encourage you to make a donation.  Regular donations are the lifeblood of small charitable trusts like ours and committing to a small monthly or annual donation really goes a very long way and would be ideal.  But whatever you can help us with, as a one off or a regular amount, would be marvellous - and right now will be doubled and go twice as far! Could you spare the price of a coffee once a month, or even once a fortnight or once a week?  Or perhaps once a year would suit you best.  We already have a small number of regular Supporters and we'd love you to join them. Click here to go to our donation page for one off or regular donations. Click here for the page to become a Supporter for an annual donation of $50. Thank you!

Trust Cape Foulwind Ranger, Gerald Freeman, is retiring from his role with the Trust, having kept predators at bay there for the past four years. 

Trust Cape Foulwind Ranger, Gerald Freeman, is retiring from his role with the Trust, having kept predators at bay there for the past four years. Several years ago, the Trust had a goal of bringing more blue penguins and more sooty shearwaters to the southern tip of Cape Foulwind in an effort to enable more people to see more wildlife and to spend longer in the Buller area. To encourage or entice both species to nest in the area, the Trust built a solar powered sound system that plays blue penguin calls as they prepare to nest and, later in the year, sooty shearwater calls as they prepare to nest.

For a variety of reasons it seems that blue penguins remain at very low numbers in the Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind area. Sooty shearwaters are a majestic seabird - flying vast distances and able to dive over 60m for their prey.  However they are very vulnerable to predation and generally survive on offshore islands.  With trapping at Cape Foulwind, numbers have crept up to around a dozen nests but sadly no chicks have been recorded as fledged at this site.

Trapping, managed patiently and religiously by Gerald, is giving them the best chance of survival and breeding and it will continue. The trapping programme at Cape Foulwind extends along the rugged coast there in order to keep numbers of rats and stoats down.  Just offshore is tiny Wall Island, home to the largest seabird colony between Cook and Foveaux Straits.  The numerous Fairy Prions as well as shearwaters, some penguins and shags on Wall Island have been protected by Gerald's dedication since January 2017.

The trapping programme has involved fortnightly trap maintenance between October and April and monthly for the remainder of the year.  Gerald has maintained access to the trap line and kept the Trust appraised of the situation with predators there, working closely with DOC to look at best practice and different approaches for the best conservation outcomes. We wish you well Gerald and thank you for all your hard work, fitting regular trips to the Cape around wild weather, a covid lockdown and all manner of other challenges.

West Coast blue penguin, kororā, tracking project - report from the New Zealand Penguin Initiative

West Coast Blue Penguin Kororā Tracking Project - report from the New Zealand Penguin Initiative (NZPI) October saw the resumption of the blue penguin - kororā tracking project on the West Coast that began in November 2019 and follows earlier efforts by the West Coast Penguin Trust (WCPT) to track blue penguins.  The current project, a collaboration between NZPI and WCPT, will provide long-term foraging data of blue penguins -kororā from two colonies in Charleston, Buller District. This at-sea monitoring runs in parallel with the nest monitoring programme to give a more complete picture of the drivers of breeding success while building a general understanding of how the birds use the local marine environment. Two rounds of deployments were completed with GPS dive data being attained for a total of eleven breeding birds – seven individuals in the earlier chick-guard stage and four in the later post-guard stage. Birds were fitted with GPS dive loggers (55 x 25 x 12mm; 20g) at the nest and devices were retrieved in the subsequent nights following considerable surveillance, either at the nest or between the landing site and the nest.

The seven chick-guard birds showed similar foraging routes, all focusing in an area to the west-northwest of the two colonies, travelling around 20 km offshore (14.1-23.5 km), covering about 50km per foraging trip (47.7-56.9 km) and diving to around 9 m (mean dive depth for individual birds: 6.1 – 10.7 m). All birds tracked during the chick-guard stage completed single day foraging trips. Of the four post-guard birds tracked, three completed 2-day foraging trips with one staying at sea for three days before returning to the nest. These birds generally foraged in the same area as the birds tracked during chick-guard, to the west-northwest of the two colonies. The exception being one individual that travelled almost 40 km west-southwest, although this appears to be overnight drifting while resting at the surface. Analysis of the dive data is still pending. The body condition of the study birds and their chicks indicated that there was ample prey availability in this foraging area throughout October 2020 and the fledging success rate of 70.4% suggests that conditions have been good throughout this season, a change from the previous season when chicks were dying from starvation. NZPI developed an online dashboard for the WCPT to view and share the foraging information and associated summary statistics (www.penguindb.nz/WCPT/tracking).

  Kororā tracking protocols and facilitation of nation-wide tracking projects The NZPI is continuing to develop best practice guidelines for kororā tracking. Next year they will support more community groups with tracking projects as they work towards their long-term goal of conducting and facilitating tracking projects covering all regions of New Zealand. Dr Thomas Mattern, Scientific Advisor and leader of the NZPI explains: "The project with WCPT provided a useful lesson for us by further enforcing the notion that successful deployment and retrieval of loggers can require intensive effort and strategy, far beyond that required for nest monitoring. During the work on the West Coast we observed birds departing the colony and going to sea in the middle of the night, which was surprising as kororā are generally thought to depart in the lead up to dawn. We repeatedly observed breeders in the chick-guard stage return to the nest at night and for their partner, who had been guarding chicks, to depart almost immediately. Similarly, we observed breeders in the post-guard stage returning to the nest between 10pm and 3.30am and feeding chicks for 10 minutes before departing again. GPS and dive data showed that these birds would head out to sea and rest on the surface until day break before commencing foraging. "This behaviour has significant implications for the logger deployment and retrieval effort as constant surveillance of each nest is required to intercept the birds. Over the post-guard period, Trust Ranger, Matt Charteris, Richard Seed (NZPI Research & Conservation Coordinator) and Trust Scientist Kerry-Jayne Wilson covered the hours of 9.30 pm to 3.30 am at the nests in order to retrieve the loggers. "This should not deter community groups from undertaking tracking projects as the importance of at-sea monitoring is paramount for effective conservation, but its important to understand the time commitments and intensive effort that is sometimes required to deploy and retrieve loggers."