Pair of penguin chicks spotted at Manly
EVAN and Freya are the latest additions to Manly’s famous little penguin colony. They are two lovely fat and healthy penguin chicks but are not the product of an expensive, sexy penguin “love machine”.
Manly
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MANLY’S famous penguins are celebrating the pitter patter of tiny happy feet.
A pair of chicks born to the pair of little penguins which live under the wharf are among new arrivals.
The new babies have been named Evan and Freya, and were born to special couple, Lucky and Bella.
However, National Parks and Wildlife Service bosses say a $3000 ‘love machine’ machine aimed at luring penguins back to Collins beach has so far not resulted in any babies.
As reported in the Manly Daily, the special mating call noises aimed to persuade the birds to return to the spot, which was decimated by a fox a couple of years ago.
There were 26 birds killed before a fox was shot after an operation with snipers and sniffer dogs.
And while there are also chicks elsewhere at North Head, penguins haven’t been too keen to return to that spot.
NPWS Ranger Mel Tyas, said: “There are two lovely fat and healthy penguin chicks at Manly Wharf, while in other area across North Head, new birds are still arriving on shore in the area for the breeding season.
“There are small number of other chicks in other known breeding sites in the Manly area, but none just yet in the area with the sound machines.”
As reported in the Manly Daily, a dedicated team of wardens takes care of the colony.
Warden co-ordinators Sally and Tony Garman are among 50 volunteers.
Their tasks include closing gates to the wharf to keep people away, clearing up rubbish and telling residents and tourists about the treasured colony — the only one in mainland NSW.
They patrol more isolated areas towards North Head between June and February.
As reported in the Manly Daily in July, cameras are also in place at Store Beach, Quarantine Beach and on the Australian Institute of Police Management land.
Lucky is a male who has been returning for about six years to Manly where he was born.
He got his name after a photographer saw he had fishing line tangled around his leg, which experts removed.
He’s been with Bella for around four years, and they live in a burrow under the wharf.
Penguins lay two lots of two eggs a season.
Experts have warned animal lovers not to get too close to any of the penguins, as it could cause the parents to abandon their chicks.
Dogs are banned from the area of critical habitat. Fines of up to $300 can be issued.
LITTLE PENGUINS
Manly is the only colony in mainland NSW.
There are two areas of critical habitat, around Manly Point near Addison Rd and from Store Beach to the Quarantine Station
PENGUINS GETTING HOT AT HEAVY AT MANLY
Help by staying away from habitat and disposing of waste responsibly
Details: Contact National Parks and Wildlife Service on 9960 6266 for info on becoming a warden or call 9457 9577 to report other issues.
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