Penguins having a good nesting season

After a poor breeding season last year, our little penguins are doing much better this season. We have eleven nesting pairs and each has raised two chicks. At six weeks old the chicks are fitted with a passive transponder tag (just like the ones used for domestic pets). If the chick survives, finds a partner and chooses to nest in one of our nest boxes, the tag allows us to keep checking that it has survived and how many chicks it raises. This will help to determine the long-term future of penguins on the Island.

Karin Gouldstone holding a downy chick which has just been tagged.