FINAL PROJECT RESULTS

The field work season is finished, and overall 18 birds were deployed with loggers, resulting in 22 GPS tracks over 18 days. We also acquired 5 videos over the summer.

Coupled with the weather data, our results suggest that the penguins travel greater maximum distances from their colony in greater wind velocities. It is likely that these winds drive the direction and force of sea-surface currents, carrying birds further into the bay while they travel. Over longer periods of time, we'd expect wind to have greater effects upon nutrient dispersal and turbidity, and this may drive the penguins foraging hotspots. Heatwaves and daily rainfall did not affect the birds' foraging behaviour, however; we can reaffirm that in years of drought, penguins remain close to river plume fronts, as highlighted in previous studies. Future studies could expand upon energetic costs that greater travelling distances impose during stronger winds.

We currently require more video data to perform behavioural statistical analyses. However; the footage we have obtained suggests the little penguins may forage in groups.

The penguins of St Kilda are now preparing for their breeding season over the coming southern summer. Some pairs, however, have already begun breeding, with a few young chicks already present at the breakwater.

We would like to thank all of our donors and Experiment.com for your support, and look forward to other research projects we can share in the future.

With many thanks,

Hayley, Richard and André.