I just received a report of a beachwashed Rockhopper Penguin at Discovery
Bay in Western Victoria. As far as I know, this is the first for a year
or more. There are a small number of beachwached records as well as
fewer live ones. Lawrie, Gil or Phil H may be able to give more accurate
info. The bird was found last Sunday (July 16).
Of even greater interest is the report of LARGE flipper tracks in the
same area. Brett Jarrett measured the flipper-flipper span as 62cm!!
(The dead rockhopper span was 46cm). The tracks go up and down the beach
for about 50 meters, and appear too mobile to have been made by a turtle
(they go up a bank). Brett suggests the possibility of Royal Penguin
(that would be the 2nd for this year!) or even King.
He has also found 831 dead Little (Fairy) Penguins in the last 2 weeks,
but only a few showed any oiling. Most were very thin and probably had
starved.
Reminder: plenty o fplaces left for the Pelagic Trip on Sunday August 6th.
Ring Brett on 055 231414.
Cheers
Russell Woodford
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