End of Season Breeding Results 2025

Eden's Little Penguins have had the best season on record since their recent return to Eden.

Severe Swell Impact at Wheel Cove

In April 2025, Eden experienced extremely large swells in Twofold Bay, with waves reaching up to 6.3 metres. These waves took their toll on Wheel Cove. The artificial nests that had been installed were completely smashed, and much of the smaller beach substrate was washed away.

Fortunately, the newer breeding site at Snug Cove experienced minimal impact, despite the severe weather.

Before the breeding season began at Wheel Cove, five new nesting boxes were carefully placed into the sea gutter, positioned away from direct wave action.

Encouragingly, the two original natural nesting sites at Wheel Cove remained fully functional and suitable for breeding attempts throughout the season.

Breeding Activity at Wheel Cove

Wheel Cove and Snug Cove were visited monthly by our penguin biologists.

At Wheel Cove, there was a single breeding event this season. A new breeding pair successfully carried out nesting duties and produced at least one fledgling.

Breeding Activity at Snug Cove

At Snug Cove, external signs and occasional glimpses of birds suggest there were between five and six active nesting sites. Over the course of the season, some of these sites definitely produced chicks.

However, without the ability to regularly check within the rocky area using specialised equipment such as a burrow-cam, it is not possible to accurately estimate the number of adults and chicks present.

Monitoring and Volunteer Efforts

The breeding season ran from approximately late July 2025 to mid-January 2026.

Since the season has ended, we can report that 20 volunteers have been involved in weekly after-dark monitoring at Snug Cove. Volunteers record birds seen and heard, care for planted vegetation to support habitat health, and report any fox sightings via the Feral Scan app.

Monitoring Results and Challenges

Across 14 weeks of monitoring, an average of five birds per evening were detected.

Given this was the first year of monitoring at Snug Cove — and that careful methods were developed to minimise disturbance — this is a very positive result. It is particularly encouraging considering that two adult penguins and later one fledgling were lost to fox predation during the season.

The Need for Ongoing Protection

This fledgling colony will not expand unless it receives adequate protection.

Local Land Services are currently monitoring the site for fox and dog activity using high-tech cameras. Meanwhile, the dedicated volunteers in the HELP group are actively fundraising to install protective fencing at Snug Cove.

With continued support, this precious colony can become a permanent and thriving feature of the Eden foreshore for years to come.