Sign board at little penguins Paekakariki retreat

With a little penguin signage board in Ames St Reserve, Paekakariki, from left, Birnie Duthie, Glenda Robb, Val Duthie, Gay Hay, Jean Fleming, Rob Stone.

A large sign board has been installed in the Ames St Reserve, Paekakariki, to alert people to the fact a small population of little penguin, also known as korora, reside there.

The little penguin have nested in parts of the reserve, especially in the cliff face, as well as under some homes in Ames St for many years.

The sign, installed by the Kapiti Biodiversity Project, is an attempt to alert people to the species' vulnerability and the need to protect them from dogs in particular.

Kapiti Biodiversity Project programme manager Glenda Robb said some of the houses and sheds in the street had little penguins nesting under them "for 40 years".

The population was small, about a dozen birds, she said.

"They come back each year to the same sites.

"They are around for moulting in February/March and then again for nesting from about now to the end of November."

Glenda said little penguin were "very vulnerable to dog attacks".

"Dogs are attracted to the smell.

"Quite often people say 'my dog wouldn't do that' but in fact most dogs do because they are so attractive.

"The sign encourages people to have their dogs on a lead and to be aware of the penguins."

The sign features photographs of little penguins, information about the species, how they're vulnerable, and how people can help.