Famous little penguins fledglings return to the northern beaches
VIDEO: Three years ago, Manly’s famous little penguin colony was decimated by a serial killer fox. Now, fledglings that survived the attack are returning to their birth place for the first time.
Manly
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FLEDGLINGS that ventured on from the northern beaches when a thrill-killing fox wiped out 27 little penguins three years ago are expected to come home to their birth place in coming weeks.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) ranger Mel Tyas said this year’s breeding season — officially kicking off this month — would be the first time those fledglings had returned to the shores of the northern beaches since the attack.
Ms Tyas called for people to be extra sensitive and vigilant upon the little penguins’ return as the NPWS hoped for an increase in chicks, fledglings and breeding pairs.
According the Office of Environment and Heritage, male penguins start returning to their colony from May through to June, in a bid to reconstruct a suitable burrow for nesting and attract females.
“The fledglings actually disappear for about three years once they hatch and have grown enough to look after themselves,” Ms Tyas said.
“We don’t know where they go and there is a 95 per cent mortality rate.
“So that’s why it’s extremely important we and the community are prepared for their return.
“We ask people not to take dogs anywhere near critical habitats and, if you see foxes, report them immediately.”
In the 2017-2018 breeding season, Ms Tyas said she saw a 10 per cent increase of fledglings — adolescent birds capable of sitting on eggs, taking turns at sitting on eggs and building nests.
The little penguins also had a 75 per cent breeding success rate, she said.
“Fledglings actually need a bit of practise before they’re successful at breeding and hatching and raising chicks,” she said.
“We had 94 hatchlings last breeding season — to about 40 breeding pairs — and we would really like to see this number grow.
“Little penguins are extremely important to the people of Manly.”
In the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 breeding seasons, Ms Tyas said a consistent figure of 79 hatchlings was recorded by the NPWS.
There was also a 45 per cent breeding success rate in 2015-2016 and 67 per cent for 2016-2017.
Before the fox attack in June, 2015, Ms Tyas said there were 70 breeding pairs of little penguins.
“We really need to continue rallying behind the little penguins, which the community always does, to support them,” Ms Tyas said.
“I don’t want to specify exactly which beaches they will be returning to — just in case it gets busy and the penguins get disrupted.
“But they will be returning to the beaches around North Head.”
The endangered population is the only known breeding colony on the NSW mainland, according to the Office of Environment and Heritage.
Nesting sites used by the little penguins at Manly include under rocks on the foreshore, seaside houses and structures, in wood piles and under overhanging vegetation.
In order to ensure the little penguins reach their destination safely this breeding season and to keep the “love machine” — a sound machine mimicking the mating calls of penguins — untampered with, Ms Tyas said 80 volunteering wardens would keep watch on the beaches and notify rangers at NPWS of predator sightings, partygoers, large groups and after-hours trespassing at North Head.
Ms Tyas said the entrance to Collins Flat Beach would be upgraded to push wildlife awareness in coming weeks and new “no-go zone” times would be implemented.
“What we’re trying to do is have the area and other beaches at North Head free of people before sunrise and after sunset,” she said.
“We’ve had a real problem with runners and parties being held at beaches after hours.
“It is really disruptive to the wildlife.
“We’re not looking to fine anyone but we’ll have wardens ready and willing to tell people to bugger off — nicely, of course — before and after hours.”
Ms Tyas said the upgrade to Collins Flat Beach, which would receive 50 per cent of funding from the Australian Institute of Police Management and a portion from Hugos Manly, would include the implementation of wildlife awareness signage and revitalisation of the carpark, entrance and landscaping.
“It’s going to highlight the area as a sanctuary for wildlife,” she said. “It’s home to a range of native plants and animals, such as seals, water dragons, bandicoots, echidnas, blue-tongue lizards and penguins.
“That’s why it’s so important to do as much as we can to preserve it.”
Ms Tyas said respecting wildlife and obeying the rules around the area was the best way to support penguins this breeding season.
“We will be fining people in some aspect, as in if people bring dogs to areas that dogs are not allowed to go, as signposted,” she said.
“Please stay away from the beaches at North Head before and after dark and do not go fishing during these times too.
“Another big thing we want to make sure people do is to take their rubbish with them.
“It can be very dangerous to the wildlife.”