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List of little penguin colonies

This is a list of little penguin colonies notable for their size, location or public profile. It is not exhaustive. Some little penguin (Eudyptula minor) colonies are particularly large, well-known, or are tourist attractions; even small colonies in urban areas may attract tours. Little penguins, also known as little blue or fairy penguins, exhibit site fidelity to their breeding colonies and nesting sites over successive years. They live year-round in large or small colonies, with each individual breeding pair forming a burrow, or using caves or crevices between rocks, in which to raise their chicks (of which two are born at a time, usually about two days apart).

Although many breed in large, well-defined colonies, the penguins also occur in scattered locations along long stretches of coastline. In New Zealand numerous beaches, bays and coves are host to penguin colonies. Colony sizes may range from thousands to just a few nests, with some penguins ranging into urban areas. The total population is estimated to lie between 350,000 and 600,000 individuals. Most of these breed on offshore islands where they are not subject to predation by introduced mammals, nor to regular disturbance by people, and are relatively secure. Many colonies on the Australian mainland, as well as on the coasts of Tasmania and New Zealand's North and South Islands, are in decline.

Tourism

Little penguins typically return to their colonies to feed their chicks after sunset, which is when they are most visible to people and where tourist attention is focussed. Little penguins attract large numbers of tourists in Australia, and are important in several local economies. However, penguin tourism can also affect penguin breeding success through causing adults to desert nests and chicks to receive fewer meals.

Predation

Little penguins were once common along the southern coastline of mainland Australia but are now primarily confined to various small islands and isolated coastal locations due to predation by introduced feral and domestic cats, foxes or, in New Zealand, stoats and ferrets, and stray dogs on the mainland. The birds and their nests are also preyed on by native animals such as goannas and, in the vicinity of the colonies at sea, by fur seals. Where roads pass close to colonies, they may be killed by cars.

Due to their diminutive size, the introduction of predators and the spread of human settlement, some colonies have been reduced in size by as much as 98% in just a few years. An example is the small colony on Middle Island, near Warrnambool, Victoria, which was reduced from 5,000 penguins to 100; a subsequent conservation management program using Maremma sheepdogs to guard the colony and deter foxes allowed numbers to start to recover.

Australia

Jervis Bay Territory

Colonies in the Jervis Bay Territory include:

New South Wales

Colonies in New South Wales include from the north:

South Australia

Colonies in South Australia include:

  1. Kingscote - about 700 individuals in 2010, guided tours were given each evening, but stopped in 2013
  2. Penneshaw - small, declining colony threatened by fur seal predation, evening guided tours
  3. Flinders Chase National Park - "thousands" inhabiting the park's shores, reported in 1972. Current status unknown.
  4. Ravine de Casoars - population described as "innumerable" in 1972. Current status unknown.
  5. Sandy Creek - "dozens" inhabiting limestone caves, reported in 1972. Current status unknown.

Tasmania

Colonies in Tasmania include:

Victoria

Colonies in Victoria, Australia include:

Western Australia

Colonies in Western Australia include:

  • 6-mile Island, Israelite Bay
  • Bald Island
  • Carnac Island, near Perth and north of Garden Island. Status unknown.
  • Coffin Island northeast of King George Sound
  • Daw Island, 150 km east of Condingup
  • Doubtful Islands
  • Eclipse Island (south of Albany)
  • Flinders Bay - Seal Island and St Alouarn Island
  • Garden Island, 6.5 km north of Penguin Island. Estimated 500-600 birds in monitored areas in 2011.
  • King George Sound - islands including Michelmas Island, Mistaken Island, Seal Island and Breaksea Island. Breaksea Island mentioned in an historical account from 1827, current status unknown.
  • Pasley Island
  • Penguin Island, near Perth, has the state's largest population. Population estimated at 1,000 birds in 2011. It is part of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.
  • Quagering Island
  • Newdegate Island, at the mouth of Deep River. Historical account, current status unknown.
  • Recherche Archipelago - numerous islands including Cull Island, Figure of 8 Island, Hood Island, Mackenzie Island, Mondrain Island, Observatory Island, Ram Island, Remark Island, Sandy Hook Island, South East Isles, Wilson Island (present in 2001) and Woody Island (which supports a colony of unknown size at the island's Eastern end).
  • Shelter Island, near Torbay. Historic account, current status unknown. Skin of a specimen also collected there in 1988.

New Zealand

Colonies in New Zealand include:

See also

References