Little Penguin Meeting Summary July 2025
The Little Penguins of Eden are off to a promising start this breeding season, and we’re excited to share some key updates from our recent meetings. Our ongoing conservation efforts are seeing positive signs of Little Penguin activity, and we’re hopeful for a successful season ahead.
Nesting and Breeding Progress
As the breeding season unfolds, the Little Penguins are actively building nests, mating, laying eggs, and in some cases, sitting on eggs. This is an encouraging start, with multiple nests already established and penguins busy preparing for the next generation.
We were pleased to receive an update from Nicholas Carlile about the Little Penguins at Snapper Island. Nicholas reported a very successful nesting season so far, with 21 nests, 6 of which have Little Penguins sitting on eggs. Many other nest sites are also showing signs of activity, with nesting material present. This level of activity surpasses what we saw on the same day in 2022, marking this year as one of the best so far after 6 years of monitoring.
Eden Sites Update
At Site 1, the activity has been a bit quieter. While we did spot a Little Penguin under a rock, indicating some level of activity, there were no eggs or nests discovered at this site. This area has been impacted by rough seas recently, which may have disrupted normal Little Penguin behaviour and nesting patterns. However, we’re hopeful that conditions will improve, and the Little Penguins will return in the coming weeks.
At Site 2, there has been significant activity, our monitoring efforts have uncovered signs of active nesting. This is an incredibly positive sign, as it indicates that the Little Penguins are not only returning to their familiar nesting grounds but are also actively preparing for the breeding season.
Monitoring and Updates
We’ve made significant strides in our monitoring efforts, with cameras set up at various locations to track Little Penguin activity. At one of our monitored sites, we saw a record number of photos taken by the cameras:
Camera 1: 71 photos
Camera 2: 8,238 photos (a new record!)
Camera 3: 14 photos (requires re-alignment)
Camera 4: No photos (needs to be repositioned)
Among the highlights were several photos showing multiple penguins in a single shot, with one set capturing 4 penguins in the same frame—a rare and exciting moment! We’re continuing to monitor these areas closely and are planning to make adjustments to the camera placements to improve the quality of our data.
New Nesting Sites
To further support the penguin population, we’ve prepared new nesting sites in various areas. These artificial nests are designed to provide safe, sheltered spaces for penguins to lay their eggs and raise their young. We are also working on installing additional nests in areas that have been less impacted by the heavy seas, ensuring that penguins have multiple options for nesting.
Volunteers will continue monitoring these new nests and will be making regular visits to track the penguins' progress throughout the breeding season.
Community Engagement and Upcoming Events
Our work to engage the local community continues to grow. We’ve been asked to speak at a local event in early September, which will provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the conservation efforts for Little Penguins and the importance of protecting their habitats.
Whale Festival and Cruise Ship Engagement
We are also preparing for the Whale Festival on Saturday, October 4, where we will have a stand to promote awareness about the Little Penguin conservation project. The NPWS has generously offered us space for the event, and several volunteers will be on hand to assist.
Additionally, we’re planning for the arrival of a cruise ship on October 16, and we’re discussing the best ways to engage with passengers to spread awareness about the Little Penguins and the ongoing conservation efforts. We are exploring options for a stall in the main street, which could be a more accessible and cost-effective solution.
Signs and Grant Opportunities
We are thrilled to announce that the site sign has received approval, and we’re now looking into applying for additional grants to fund this project and other initiatives in the coming year. We’re also exploring the Port Authority’s sponsorship opportunities, which could provide additional support for our conservation programs.
Conclusion
The Little Penguin breeding season is off to a strong start, with exciting signs of activity and progress across our monitoring sites. As penguins continue to build nests, lay eggs, and prepare for the challenges of raising chicks, we are committed to supporting their efforts and ensuring their protection.
We’ll continue to engage the community, raise awareness, and monitor the penguins closely throughout the breeding season.
