Yellow Eyed Penguin

NB some variation from year to year

LATE SEPT-NOV:   Nesting begins - 2 eggs laid (incubation 40-50 days), 1 parent remains at nest at all times

NOVEMBER:   Chicks hatch, (Chicks fledge in 110-115 days)

NOVEMBER-MID JAN:   Guard stage, chicks guarded by 1 parent at all times.

MID JAN-LATE FEB:    Chicks left alone at nest while both parents spend all day at sea returning late afternoon to feed chicks. By end of February chicks fledged and are independent of parents.       

LATE FEB-MID MARCH:   Pre-moult, adults spend all day at sea feeding to build up fat reserves before they shed all their feathers during moult.

MID MARCH-MID APRIL:   Moult - penguins can not go to sea to feed during moult. Fledged chicks spend their days at sea feeding and return late afternoon to land.

MID APRIL-LATE SEPT:   All penguins leave at dawn and go to sea to feed and return to shore in the last 2 or 3 hours of day light               

NB: All day YEP viewing October to February. From mid January to February chicks only to be seen during the middle part of day (8.00am to 4.00pm). Also all day viewing during moult (Mid March to mid April ), however adult penguins inactive and unattractive. During the rest of the year viewing only in the late afternoon or early morning.