King Penguin, Southland

[Oscar Thomas]

Reported on the end of the sandspit opposite Fortrose this morning by a member of the public to DOC then to eBird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122440613

We happened to be in Gore so shot down for a look no luck. Then went around via Waituna Wetlands to the spit itself and found it on the beach, but it has decided to swim west down the coast. No wind so easy to see in water, might turn up in Tiwai Point or Bluff next.

[Michael Szabo]

It was this time last year that 2 different Adelie Penguins were seen ashore on NZ beaches (at Birdlings Flat and Scotts Landing) so now might be a good time to check these and other beaches for southern penguins!

[Michael Szabo]

Video footage of the King Penguin when it was ashore near Fortrose has been posted online - filmed by Givernay Forbes:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rare-roya ... 1668629174

[Oscar Thomas]

Additional photos and info here: https://www.facebook.com/oscarthomasnz/posts/pfbid02kw2kCvgBbcKW9CkfvioA1zPW7U9E1aktdiphe9FRQYsnj9P97znA5oFmJpCyrj6Ll

[Oscar Thomas]

Joe Bliss reported the bird again this morning. Sorry for delay I only just saw it. https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S122539751

[Michael Szabo]

Sean Jacques has reported via eBird seeing it again at 7.30pm this evening at much the same place:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S122544921

[sjacques]

You'd have to be pretty hard-hearted not to be at least a little moved by the sight of a solitary penguin roosting on a lonely beach.

A reminder to anyone going to see this bird that it is quite wary and easily disturbed. With a little fieldcraft can be safely viewed from just below the crest of the dunes.

Cheers,
Sean

[sav]

Hi all,

Still present this morning - Friday 18 Nov. Brent and his tour group saw it.

It is a new species for the Wrybill BIrding Tours "On tour" list, which now stands at 246

cheers

[Michael Szabo]

Bradley Shields reports seeing the King Penguin at Toetoes Bay beach today at 11.30am - check out his cool photos here on his eBird checklist:
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S122587529

[rcollen]

Still in the same location just now. As Sean said, it's quite wary but seemed comfortable with us watching from a distance in the grasses of the dune. Beautiful bird!