Penguins

   Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae) are known as Fairy Penguins locally. Their rookeries are common along the North West coast, even under coastal buildings such as the Adult Education Centre in Burnie. The birds can be seen by a quiet and patient watcher as they return to their burrows just after dark to feed the young chicks. A torch covered with red cellophane may be useful as it will not alarm the birds.

    .When the birds first return in spring they can be very noisy as they squabble over nest sites. Eggs are laid in spring and hatch after an incubation period of about 38 days. At first the parents take it in turns to fish and bring home food for the chicks, but as they grow, both parents return to the sea each day.

   In late summer all the penguins stay ashore during their moult. They seek shelter in burrows and rocky cavities but are especially vulnerable during this period. Many coastal rookeries are threatened by human disturbance, and by dogs and cats from nearby houses.

   Occasionally other penguin species are washed up on beaches, dead or alive.

 At the Penguin viewing platform at Lillico's Beach near Devonport, visitors can learn more about the penguin's life and habits. At Camdale man- made structures are being incorporated as the area is redeveloped to encourage growth of the existing rookery.

Another major project is underway at West Beach, Burnie, designed to create a tourist attraction and conservation area for penguins, with the construction of an Interpretation Centre and walkway, 50 igloo burrows and 15 rock burrows.

Past-President of Burnie Field Naturalists, Lexie Paul, has been the prime mover behind all three projects, and received a very well-earned Community Award in the Tasmanian Environments Awards of June 2001.

photo by L Rubock