Nesting Penguins Found In Cave On Coast Near Forsyth

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 18

Nesting Penguins Found In Cave On Coast Near Forsyth

Five white-flippered penguins were seen in the coastal area between the outlet of Lake Forsyth and Ikirangi Bay, between September 24 and October 10. Two of the penguins had two eggs, and they were nesting In. small caves under rocks just above the high water mark. Details of a survey of wild life in the Lake Ellesmere and Forsyth areas, made by Messrs P. Morrison and J. D. Hogarth, were given in a report to the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society council which met last night. Penguins were not the only interesting birds spotted during the survey. A white heron, with breeding plumes, was seen on Lake Forsyth, with three little egrets. One of the egrets also had breeding plumes. The Whitefaced herons were the most plentiful of herons, and were seen all over the area.

It appeared there was some competition between these birds and magpies for nesting, and in several places, roosting herons were soon being mobbed by herons.

According to the report, magpies may be 5 factor in the decrease in the herons reported by the local inhabitants.

A number of varieties of shags were seen, the most common being the black and spotted varieties. White-throated shags, however, were comparatively rare, only two being seen, on Lake Forsyth.

Black swans were seen In large numbers on Lake Ellesmere, and in smaller numbers on Lake Forsyth., Only two pairs of white swans were seen, one at the northern end of the spit and the other on Lake Forsyth. The most plentiful ducks were mallards? which Were, seen in large numbers on both, lakes. | ; Very few New Zealand kingfishers were seen near the lakes, a rather surprising observation. One was seen at Lake Forsyth, and two oh the sea coast