My Account
The need to protect Little Blue penguins, and other birds nesting at Coal Mine Bay in Whangaparaoa is being highlighted by a local resident with the birds’ best wishes at heart.
Pest Free Hibiscus Coast volunteer Nigel Cough has lived in Coal Mine Bay for 20 years. He says he has seen Little Blues/Korora in and around the bay and it is likely they are nesting in the vicinity. He has fenced and planted a nesting area for the penguins – he has also been trapping pests there for several years and says rabbits are the biggest problem.
Last year, together with the local Forest & Bird, he arranged for Auckland Council signs to be put out to raise awareness, particularly among dog walkers, of the penguins’ presence – dotterels and oyster catchers also nest on the shore.
Nigel says one of the biggest challenges for the penguins coming ashore to nest or moult is dogs.
In March, he found two penguins dead on the beach.
“One looked as though a dog had got it,” he says. “Off leash, a dog can easily kill or injure a korora.”
This year he wants to get nesting boxes made and positioned in a place where they have some protection from dogs.
“Many dog owners are responsible, but some do let their dogs off and I have seen dotterel nests disturbed.”
The penguins will nest anywhere between now and the end of the year.
