For the first time in a long time, the West Coast Penguin Trust will be in Westport this Friday to deliver an update on our projects and Kerry-Jayne Wilson will present a not to be missed talk for all penguin lovers “The World of Penguins”.
Talks start at 7.00pm, Friday 15th November at REAP Hall, Henley Street in Westport and you are invited to join us from 6.45pm for a cuppa.
Come along and find out what we’ve been working on and how West Coast penguins are faring and then enjoy a wonderful illustrated talk about the world of penguins – penguins from New Zealand mainland and sub antarctic islands, from Antarctica and from South America.
The evening is free but of course donations are always welcome!
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
