Raft Count – Breakwater Team

Join us in counting Little Penguins in St Kilda and learn from our dedicated volunteers about this unique colony!

As a citizen scientist, you’ll join one of two small teams – each made up of five participants and one team leader. You’ll help manually count the number of penguins in each raft (a group of penguins in the water) as they return home at sunset. This non‑intrusive study collects valuable long‑term data on penguin arrival patterns and population trends. Your observations directly contribute to protecting and understanding the Little Penguin colony in St Kilda.

What’s Involved

• Manually count penguin rafts (groups of penguins in the water) from the St Kilda Breakwater as they arrive at sunset
• Contribute valuable data to long‑term monitoring of arrival patterns and population trends
• Support the conservation of Melbourne’s unique Little Penguin colony through hands‑on citizen science
• Experience these remarkable birds up close while learning from trained Earthcare volunteers

Program details

• Duration: Approximately 2 hours 
• When: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings 
• Start Time: Begins 15 minutes before sunset (exact time varies with season) 
• Where: St Kilda Breakwater
• What to bring: warm clothes, closed toe shoes, water, binoculars (optional). 

Site Information

Location: End of the St Kilda Breakwater 

• The St Kilda Breakwater has uneven and sometimes unstable surfaces, so sturdy, closed‑toe shoes with good grip are essential.
• The area is exposed to wind and changing weather conditions, especially around sunset
• During the return walk after the count, you will be walking through an active Little Penguin colony. This section of the breakwater is dimly lit, and you may encounter:

– Penguins crossing the path or resting beside the rocks
– Trip hazards such as unstable rocks, branches, and narrow walkways
– Occasional wet or slippery patches from waves or penguin activity

Earthcare St Kilda gratefully acknowledges the Parks Victoria for providing access to the breakwater, enabling this important citizen science program to take place.

Requirements

• No experience needed  
• Participants must be 8+ years (participants under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult) 
• Working with Children’s check required for participants aged 18+
• To join this team you will need to have/create a Park Connect account

Registrations through Earthcare St Kilda and a Park Connect account are ESSENTIAL.

If you have any questions, please contact research@earthcarestkilda.org.au

👉 REGISTER HERE

Registrations open 5pm, 27th April

Earthcare St Kilda acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters where this program takes place. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.