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Raft Count – Marina Team
14 November @ 7:45 pm - 9:15 pm
Join us in counting little penguins in St Kilda and learn from dedicated volunteers all about the colony! As a citizen scientist, you’ll join one of two dedicated teams – each made up of five citizen scientists and one team leader. You will help manually count the number of penguins in each raft (group of penguins in the water) as they return home. This non-intrusive study is designed to collect valuable data on penguin arrival patterns and population trends over time. Your observations will directly contribute to protecting and understanding the Little Penguin colony in St Kilda.
What’s Involved:
- Be part of a team of citizen scientists observing penguins from the St Kilda Breakwater and St Kilda Marina
- Manually count penguin rafts as the penguins return home from feeding at sea
- Help collect long-term data on penguin arrival patterns and population trends
- Contribute to the conservation of Melbourne’s unique Little Penguin colony
- Get the chance to see and learn about a unique colony of Little Penguins
Program details:
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- When: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings
- Start Time: Begins 15 minutes before sunset (exact time varies with the season)
- Where: St Kilda Breakwater & RMYS Marina
- What to bring: warm clothes, water, binoculars (optional).
Site Details:
Location: End of the last finger of the RMYS St Kilda Marina
- You’ll be stationed on a floating platform surrounded by water. The platform may move slightly due to its floating nature
- From this position, you’ll get to watch the penguins swim in from the bay and make their way to the breakwater to nest.
- You will also be able to spot penguins on the breakwater using a red light torch provided by your team leader
Requirements:
- No experience needed
- Must be 18 years or older
Contact tia@earthcarestkilda.org.au, if you have any questions.