In Search of Little Blue Penguins in Tasmania

Tasmania is renowned for its population of little blue penguins, the smallest species of penguin in the world. These endearing seabirds can be seen at various locations along the Tasmanian coastline, where designated viewing areas have been set up for penguin watching.

Unlike African penguins - which can often be observed in broad daylight (Read here) - the little blue penguins of Tasmania are much more elusive and shy. Being nocturnal by nature, they spend the day out at sea and only return to shore after sunset to nest in their burrows. At dawn, they head back into the ocean to feed. Because of this behavior, most visitors choose to watch them after dusk, when the penguins begin to emerge from the surf and waddle ashore in their charming, coordinated groups.

Little blue penguin. Photo downloaded from internet.

We didn't expect to see penguins in Bicheno until we saw a penguin signboard at the blowhole. The rocky blowhole area is in fact a popular spot for blue penguins watching.

Rocky beach front at at blowhole in Bicheno.

Soon after dinner on 30 March in Bicheno, we put on our thick winter clothing to prepare for a cold night out watching penguins at the blowhole vicinity. By the time we arrived, there were scores of people seated at various spots waiting for the penguins to appear.

Soon, twilight turned to pitch black sky. Growling noise from incoming penguins became more and more intense. When an intense growling noise was heard emanating just below the huge rock we were sitting on, I switched on the handphone torch light and zoomed onto the gap below the rock, I instantly caught sight of one penguin. But almost as soon as the handphone torch light landed onto the penguin, it ran off instantly. 

Without a torch emitting red light, it was futile to continue looking for penguins. We decided to cut short our search and headed back to our motel.

All dressed up and waiting patiently for penguins to appear!

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After recounting our story about penguins search to Lucy, she and David led us to the Little Penguin Observation Centre, literally at the heart of Burnie town. At the viewing deck, there were volunteers from "Friends of Burnie Penguins" armed with red light torches who were ever ready to answer any question about this little creature!

In the end, we didn't see any "blue" penguin. All the penguins we saw were black camouflaged in "red"!

During April/May, penguins come ashore to build nests. Egg laying will be in July/October.