Blue penguin numbers rise

Published date20 January 2023
Publication titleOamaru Mail
Blue penguin colony science and environmental manager Dr Phillipa Agnew said 780 eggs were laid at the colony this breeding season, up from the previous record of 760 set in the 2020 season

Little blue penguins can start laying eggs from as early as May or as late as September, depending on food supply, Dr Agnew said.

This year, eggs were laid in May, so there was an early start.

‘‘We’ve had that for four seasons now, and it sets the birds up for a successful season because it allows them to double brood.’’

Double brooding is where the penguins lay eggs, raise the chicks and then lay and raise a second set of chicks, because there is an abundance of food.

It has also been a record season for the number of birds coming ashore each night for evening viewing at the colony, with 520 appearing for several nights. The previous season’s high was 432.

‘‘So the colony is growing slowly and the number of breeding pairs is up.’’

However, Dr Agnew said the marine heatwave affecting New Zealand’s coastal waters is now also having an effect on the little blue penguins, forcing them further out into the ocean.

Dr Agnew said the little blues rely on fish that like colder water, which means the fish are forced go down deeper in the water column or travel further out from the coast to find their food, and so in turn, the little blue penguins have to...

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