West Coast Blue Penguin Trust Outputs 2005-2010

Scientific programme outputs.

Refereed Journal Articles.

Heber, S., Wilson, K-J. & Molles, L. 2008. Breeding biology and breeding success of the blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 35; 63-71.

Theses and Dissertations

Kunz, J. 2009. The spatial distribution of Blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) nests in South Westland and Buller region, New Zealand. MINC thesis, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University, New Zealand.

Braidwood, J. 2009. Breeding biology and threats to blue penguins (Eudytula minor) in South Westland, New Zealand. MINC thesis, Lincoln University, New Zealand and Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.

Heber, S. 2007. The breeding biology of the blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island – steps towards conservation of a declining population. M.Sc thesis, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.

Blyth, R.M. 2007. Seabird conservation in New Zealand: a review of the threats faced by New Zealand seabirds. B.Sc. (Hons) dissertation, Lincoln University, New Zealand. *

Conference presentations

Braidwood, J., Kunz, J. & Wilson, K-J. 2009. The effect of proximity to habitat features on the breeding success of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. 5^th Australasian Ornithological Conference, Armidale, N.S.W., 29 November - 4 December 2009. Abstract published Australasian Seabird Bulletin 51; 19.

Wilson, K-J. & Mayhew, K. 2009. Getting the message out 1, working with community groups. 5^th Australasian Ornithological Conference, Armidale, N.S.W., 29 November - 4 December 2009. Abstract published Australasian Seabird Bulletin 51; 17.

Wilson, K-J., Blyth, R., Heber, S. & Chambers, H. Conservation of the Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. Oamaru Penguin Symposium, Oamaru, 26-27 June 2008.

Reedy, J., Gibson, R. & Barber, R. The West Coast Blue Penguin Trust: a powerful example of community conservation. Oamaru Penguin Symposium, Oamaru, 26-27 June 2008.

Blyth, R., Wilson, K-J., Heber, S., Chambers, H. & Cotton, J. Conservation of the blue penguin Eudyptula minor on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Scientific Day, Kaikoura, 31 May 2008.

Blyth, R. & Wilson, K-J. 2007. The current status of New Zealand seabirds: what do we know? 4^th Australasian Ornithological Conference, Perth, 2-5 December 2007. *

Wilson, K-J. 2007. Threats to the Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. Little Penguin Workshop, 6^th International Penguin Conference, Hobart, Australia, 3-7 September 2007.

Other published articles

Wilson, K-J. & Carlile, N. 2010. ASG seabird symposium at the 2009 Australasian Ornithological Congress – Status and conservation of Australasian seabirds. Australasian Seabird Bulletin 51; 3-4.

Unpublished Reports

Blyth, R., Charteris, M. & Wilson, K-J. 2008. Distribution of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) between the Heaphy River mouth and Jackson Head, West Coast, South Island New Zealand. 79 pages. Published by The West Coast Blue Penguin Trust

Wilson, K-J. 2008. Establishment of petrel colonies and other ideas on restoration options for Long Point and Cosgrove Stream, Catlins. Report prepared for the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Dunedin.

Blyth, R., Mazzagetti, D., Sutton, P., Wilson, K-J., Molles, L., Chambers, H. & Cotton, J. 2006. Timing of the breeding season and survey of the blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) between the Taramakau and Mokihinui Rivers, West Coast, South Island New Zealand. Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report No. 36. 37 pages.

*Outputs that arose from work with the Trust but were not directly relevant to the Trusts objectives.

Written submissions

Miller, S. 2009. Submission to the West Coast Marine Protection Forum Hearing, from the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust, 28/9/09.

Educational leaflets

Dog management leaflet. Explains the threats unrestrained dogs pose to wildlife. Distributed to all owners of registered dogs on the West Coast.
Community Trapping programme.

One of the tasks of the Trust Ranger is to provide training, traps and support for community groups that wish to undertake predator control for the protection of penguins.

June 2008, trapping workshop attended by residents from Nine Mile Bay (Grey District), Pahutane and Punakaiki. All three of these community groups have now established trap lines in their local patches.

Previously established community based predator control programmes are run by Trust volunteers at Camerons and Okarito. The Trust provides materials and other support for these groups.

Blue penguin Korora and Predator Road-shows

The Trust in association with the New Zealand Landcare Trust has run two Penguin-Predator Road-shows, one in 2006, the other in 2007. During each a full day of talks and workshops on penguin biology and predator trapping have been presented and each year these were repeated at three different locations on the West Coast. The objectives of the road-shows have been to increase public awareness of penguins and predators and provide practical advice to people wanting to help protect penguins.

Educational and advocacy presentations.

July 05

• Participate in an overnight “Blue Penguin Camp” (penguin census/information) with Barrytown School

Aug 05

• Prepare and deliver a blue penguin resource to all South School and Granity School classes during Conservation Week.

Sept 05

• Display and present blue penguin information and posters completed by students during Library Week 5-9 Sept

Oct 05

• Deliver blue penguin presentations to St. Canices School

Nov 05

• Deliver blue penguin presentation to Inangahua School
• Assist Barrytown School with construction and placement of nesting boxes and stoat tunnels.

Jan 06

• Prepare WCBPT displays for Buller A&P show

Feb 06

• Deliver talk on Cape Foulwind and blue penguin activity to South School.

March 06

• Deliver blue penguin presentation to North School

July 06

• Carry out blue penguin survey with Barrytown School students.

Aug. 06

• West Coast Conservation Awards. Barrytown School receives an award for their contribution towards blue penguin conservation. Student representatives and the principal attend the award ceremony.
• Deliver blue penguin talk to Westmount School

Sept 06

• Give blue penguin presentation to home education students
• Present penguin talk to Potokohua House group.

October 06

• Liaise with Buller District Council Animal Control Officer to raise awareness about dogs and wildlife

March 07

• Attend Buller Principals Association Meeting and give presentation on conservation Ed. opportunities focussing on coastal awareness and blue penguins
• Conservation Corps. beach clean up and coastal birds awareness
• Create Korora themed Seaweek display at Buller District Library and Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

May 07

• Coastal awareness, penguin study and pingao planting day at Tauranga Bay with St Canices School.

September 07

• Assist South School with birds of Kawatiri studies

Feb 08

• Deliver St Canices School Korora presentation

March 08

• Seaweek: Our coast - blue penguins and seals presentation delivered to St Canices School
• Penguinville: Granity School penguin day

April 08

• Deliver Korora Awareness to Karamea Area School

April 09

A meeting with Westland Milk Products in mid-April to discuss the issue, in light of the fact that heavy vehicles are partially responsible, led to an invitation for Karen to be involved in driver awareness at WMP. She gave a presentation to all 70 tanker drivers.

May 09

• Educational presentation and workshop with Ross school

June 09

• Talk on penguin biology and conservation and site visit for Masters of International Nature Conservation students from Lincoln University and Georg-August University, Germany.

• Dog impact awareness brochure developed as a collaborative effort with DoC West Coast Conservancy. The brochure was designed by Peter Morrison and the WCBPT, and was supported by the 3 Distric Councils of the West Coast. A brochure went out with every dog registration form in June, which amounted to the distribution of 7,000 copies. They were also distributed by DoC Compliance officers, and at D&S festival.

August 09

• Presentation given by Reuben and Penny on blue penguins to International student volunteers, went to Tauranga Bay in evening and saw 7 penguins around 9pm.

September 09

• Reuben and Penny (DoC Buller) met students from Gloryvale School in Charleston, talked about penguins and show them the monitored area.
• Penny and Reuben worked with Cons Corp to get stoat traps and tunnels out of the Oceana Gold predator control site near Reefton.
• Jasmine carried out 4 field trips to the 3-mile blue penguin colony to monitor breeding during the 2009 season. This was enabled through a successful funding bid by the Trust to the West Coast Rotary group, ‘Lend a Hand’.

• A Day at the Beach: Franz Josef school students, and other locals from the Glacier region, enjoyed a day of talks, walks and activities around the theme of marine conservation and blue penguins. The Penguin Trust (Karen attended and organised) teamed up with DoC and ‘Adventure West Coast’ organisers to run this day in September.

October 09

• Penguin awareness session with 80 students from Cobden primary school, went really well. Involved a mix of interactive presentation interspersed with penguin song and penguin race, blindfold game, and active quiz game
• A joint effort between the Conservation Corp, penguin Trust Ranger Reuben, DoC Westport and Mitre 10 has revamped the stoat trapping programme at Cape Foulwind. The Cons Corp is now taking responsibility for the trap line as part of their course programme.

January 10

• Driftwood and Sand environmental arts festival in Hokitika. The WCBPT joined hands with DoC and the D&S committee in organising and running marine and penguin-themed beach activities and discussion with children, as well as jointly organising a storyteller and puppeteer to hold tellings and workshops.

March 10

• Fencing feasibility study carried out by Reuben Lane, as a potential solution to the road-kill problem in the Buller region.

August 10

• Annual census carried out

December 11

• Blue penguin colony distribution document provided to DOC and local councils to be used when processing resource consent applications

West Coast Blue Penguin Mortality Database.

The Blue Penguin Mortality Database records the date, location and cause of death of all penguins found dead on the West Coast. By knowing the place and cause of death management strategies can be devised to enhance penguin conservation. The major causes of penguin deaths to date are road-kills and dogs. Of the 66 deaths recorded 51 are attributable to road-kills with 48 of these on coastal sections of the road between Westport and Greymouth.

Most road kills occur at a few localised stretches of road between Charleston and Punakaiki. Solutions being investigated include promoting driver awareness, in particular among local truckers, fences, underpasses and placement of nest boxes on the seaward side of the road. Addressing the road-kill issue is currently one of the Trust’s priorities.

Dog kills are a second serious problem in particular at popular beaches close to Greymouth and Westport and anecdotally near river mouths during the whitebait season.