The Little Blue Penguin -Colourful Birds (Otago) Traditional Cache

For information on Geocaching during Covid19 in New Zealand please visit www.wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/New+Zealand. Please note, not everyone logs as they go, so please approach this cache as if it has just been found, take care and keep up good social distancing and hand hygiene.

This is a Blue coloured micro cache which only contains log paper. Please remember to bring your own pen, photo logs are not accepted.

The Little Penguin (known as the Little Blue Penguins in New Zealand) is the smallest species of penguin. They usually grows to an average of 33 cm (13 in) in height and 43 cm (17 in) in length. From the cache location you can look down onto the beach where hundreds of Little Blue Penguins return to Pilot’s Beach to nest. More penguins are about over summer (September to March) as there is better feeding and chicks are young. This means that both adults come ashore, rather than one at a time. You'll have to wait till dusk to see them come to shore.

You will hear them before you see one as they are very vocal, they have a range of calls which serve many purposes. Before they come inland they bark to each other and then come ashore in groups. To recognise each other or claim or defend territory they have a braying call.

In Oamaru it is not uncommon for penguins to nest within the cellars and foundations of local shorefront properties, especially in the old historic precinct of the town. Here they have had little homes made for them.

The Colourful Birds Collection bonus cache was published, but a few of the rarer bird caches can still be found around Dunedin.

Wish to attend New Zealand’s next MEGA event? GCA7ZHD Geo Toroa will be held on NZ’s Labour Day long weekend 26-27th October 2024 right here in Dunedin. Details in the link below (click ticket picture);