NFOBB: New Friends of Bushy Beach.

We have stopped posting in public on this blog but if you would like to see what is happening at our penguin rehabilitation facility in Oamaru come and make friends with us at www.facebook.com/nfobb.rehab

We are sorry to announce that due to some criticism of stuff Colin has written on the blog as well as criticism of some of his actions at Bushy Beach we will no longer be doing our daily beach watch. This blog is also closing for now and news and stories regarding our work with sick and injured penguins will be available at www.facebook.com/nfobb.rehab  Thanks.

Nice to catch up with Zoe & Galaad again this morning, hope you enjoy your trip guys. It rained most of the night so we had to keep Gash indoors at first. It took a bit of juggling around, moving him into the laundry while Sue cleaned the porch floor and the tube matting covering. I fed him in the laundry then ushered him back into the porch. Then cleaned the laundry floor. Penguins are great converting machines they eat lots of nice salmon and convert it to sh*t. The day alternated from hot sunny spells and showers of hailstones (!?) but we did managed to get Gash outside with his pal Band for a couple of hours. Beach; When I walked the beach this afternoon I noticed an unbanded juvenile at the bottom of the hide path. He looked a bit skinny and dry so I did the usual YEP fitness test, I approach penguin, bird runs off = fit. However this guy, Lost, didn’t run or put up any fight so he’s a fail. I weighed him (he was a kilo under) so took him home where Sue checked him over. Nothing obvious wrong but will feed and monitor. BTW We have an authority from DoC to do this work if you see a penguin in trouble phone the 0800 DOC HOT line or for Bushy Beach ring us on 022 HELP YEP. Once Lost was settled in it was time to feed Gash and for Sue to change his bandage after flushing the wound. I am only the bird holder and today it was a painful job. Gash is very patient and tends to give a shallow soft peck to my hand or arm to show his displeasure. But if you don’t get the message he turns up the power, ouch! Beach watch; Much better weather for the watch tonight although a bit chilly at times. I counted 16 Yellow-eyed Penguin coming in spread over the 3 hour watch. Close views by the viewing platform after about 6.30pm made everyone smile, excellent. It was strange to see an unbanded juvenile briefly occupy the spot usually taken by 19558, he didn’t last long. 94 visitors turned up for the show tonight with many returnees coming back for seconds which must be good for the local economy, eh?

It was a nice calm morning that turned into a stormy afternoon. Time was again well utilised and we emptied, cleaned and refilled the pool. We also spent quite a while trying different combinations of housing for Gash. He really benefits from being outside on the grass with Band, they wander about and even have the occasional mutual preening sessions. All good for keeping the penguins calm and content, However we are back with the problem we had before, Gash mustn’t get his bandage wet. No, we are not allowed any other wrapping to protect the bandage we just have to keep him dry. So today he enjoyed being out in the compound until the stormy southerly blew through then he had to be carried inside. Not happy with that at all. Shame. Beach watch; I only saw 6 Yellow-eyed Penguins come ashore between 5pm & 7pm. Lots of people (69) came to view but many gave up before the real show began at 6.30pm when 19558 came up to his usual spot. Great for those brave souls who lasted the pace including Zoe & Galaad (French) and Jean & Sylvie (French Canadian).  I stood in the fierce cold wind for 2 hours before I gave up and came home. When I left only 5 people were still there and by the time I got home the rain had started. Good decision.

A mist murky day here with the sun only breaking through a few times. I got all the grass cut though after helping Sue & Becci change the bandage on Gash’s flipper. Walked the beach in the afternoon then enjoyed my Saturday night off. Ingrid was on watch tonight and she had problems with the fog. She couldn’t see the beach at times! She did see 13 Yellow-eyed Penguins come in and four people come off the beach. Ingrid counted 79 people who came to peer through the mist before she abandoned the watch at 7.30pm due to the conditions. Thanks Ingrid.

No breakfast for Gash this morning as he was due at Vetlife at 10.30pm, so lots of pressure on me as I fed Band. Phew! Gash has had a bit of a setback so we are back with the bandage that shouldn’t get wet. Therefore Gash is living in the cottage porch overnight and outside during the day if it’s dry. Lots of work. Hope we can get this sorted, soon. Beach watch; Good night at Bushy Beach with 13 Yellow-eyed Penguins seen coming ashore and good close views after 6.45pm with 19558 up on his usual spot. It was a nice crowd (65) tonight with interested respectful folk, generally. I did have to sprint down to the beach to chat to a couple of tourists who thought they were so special they didn’t need to respect the stay off the beach after 3pm request. They left. Result.

Once the sun shifted the misty morning, it was another ace day. With only 2 Yellow-eyed Penguins to look after I was quickly back up in the trees doing my I’m a lumberjack impression (badly). After a few hours of that it was time to walk Bushy Beach and then carry on ending up at the OBPC. Back home I took this photo of Gash, the real boss of the place. Beach watch; Quite an odd watch tonight with few birds coming ashore (11) but there always seemed to be at least one visible in the bushes. I didn’t seem to connect with many of the 73 visitors apart from a great couple Ellie & Glen. There was some strange behaviour on the viewing platform, odd what some folk think is appropriate. It seemed noisy and crowded at times then suddenly at 7.10pm there were only 2 others left. Once they went away it was just me, 19558 and 18193. Perfect company on a gorgeous evening.

After feeding and swimming our trio of Yellow-eyed Penguins in care (Gash, Gap & Band) we met DoC ranger Kevin who called round to put a band on Gap as he was due for release. Once banded (J18999) Sue and I took Gap off to Bushy Beach where after an initial reluctance he was off into the sea. We hope he does well as he was one of the really satisfying rehab cases we have dealt with. When I found him he seemed close to death and it was only the skill of vet Becci and the assistance of Vetlife ($450 worth of veterinary care provided FoC) that saved his life. Giant thanks to all. The story of Gap. Beach watch; Brenda was on tonight so I got to have the evening off, sitting in the spa enjoying the glorious sunny calm evening. Later it was a glass of wine on the deck before a lovely dinner by Sue. Relaxing and enjoying life after a hard days work-perfect. Brenda phoned at 7.15pm to report an injured YEP coming ashore at the north end of the beach. Sue drove (guess why) and soon we were on the job. With only a few visitors left Sue went to do the chat while I went down to the beach and crept along to the north end. I didn’t find anything at the edge of the beach so climbed the path up the hillside to check the bird wasn’t stuck anywhere. The only penguin I encountered was 18193 and he gave me a good beating, quite indignant that I had entered his domain. I emerged from my wee trek dripping blood from several cuts to hands and arms, lovely. So no injured penguin found however we will keep a close eye on arrivals over the next few days, thanks Brenda. BTW Brenda saw 12 Yellow-eyed Penguins coming in from the sea and counted 96 visitors (including nice folk Dale & Marie from Napier) on this wonderful evening. Excellent work everyone.

Another cracking day for spending a few hours in the tree tops trying to trim their limbs not mine. Great beach walk again with nothing unusual sighted. Gash, Gap & Band all fine and left in peace except for the two feeding, swimming & cleaning times. Beach watch; Lots of Yellow-eyed Penguins came in tonight, I counted 20 arrivals between 5pm & 8pm. Great close viewing around the platform after about 6.30pm when 19558 came and stood close to the visitors. Lovely night as well although a little chilly later on, hence the need to keep cosy. 73 visitors tonight, most went away happy and smiling.

The morning was wild and windy but it cleared out by the afternoon. Usual penguin chores, so much better just now with the 3 inmates living peaceably together. They are calmer having company which makes looking after them easier. Walked the usual beaches half in the wind and half in the sun. Sue and I even managed a few hours hedge cutting, lovely. Beach watch; It was again breezy but not too cold down at the hide. Overall it was a good watch with interested and respectful visitors enjoying the sight of Yellow-eyed Penguins arriving after a day fishing in the deep sea. The only problem was that with high tide at 7.30pm and a massive swell the beach was a very narrow strip indeed so the viewing wasn’t great. I worked hard tonight and went to and fro the platform for ages until I finally spotted 18193 coming along the path to the VP. I managed to run across and get all the folk in the hide back across to the platform so they could experience seeing a YEP at close quarters. So many happy folk it was a real buzz tonight. Special so many handshakes and thank yous, awesome. I saw 13 penguins coming in tonight and counted 74 visitors. Great day.