Little Penguin Burrows in Burnie — Online Webcam
Little Penguin Colony in Burnie
On the northwest coast of Tasmania, in the town of Burnie with a population of around 20,000, lies one of the most accessible little penguin colonies in Australia for observation. These birds inhabit the coastline around Parsonage Point, in close proximity to the town center. The colony numbers over 600 individuals on West Beach alone, making it one of the few urban populations where penguins nest right among human infrastructure.
Characteristics of Little Penguins
Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) are the smallest penguin species in the world. They stand about 35 cm tall and weigh approximately 1 kilogram. Unlike their Antarctic relatives, these birds spend most of their lives in the water, coming ashore only for nesting and moulting. Their plumage has a distinctive slate-blue hue, which is why they are often called "fairy penguins."
Penguin Burrow Structure
Little penguins typically nest in burrows that they dig themselves in sandy dunes. When competing for suitable sites, they also use rock crevices, caves, and nests under dense vegetation. Inside the burrow, penguins create a bedding of dry grass and straw. In Burnie, penguins can even nest under human structures — for example, under boardwalks when soil conditions don't allow for burrowing. Artificial burrows are successfully used by little penguins with a high occupancy rate shortly after installation.
Observation Centre and Volunteers
For tourists and researchers, the Penguin Observation Centre operates in Burnie, located along the shoreline within a short walk from the town center. Volunteers from Friends of Burnie Penguins conduct free interpretive tours for colony visitors, offering an intimate look at the seasonal lives of penguin families. The penguins come ashore after sunset and return to their burrows to feed their chicks.
2023 Ecological Initiatives
In 2023, 9 specially constructed tunnels were opened under the Coastal Pathway in Burnie, giving the colony access to expanded habitat in West Park. These tunnels allow penguins to move safely between feeding and nesting areas, avoiding roads and urban infrastructure. The project marked an important step in conserving the urban penguin population.
Penguin Monitoring Technology
Cameras have been installed in burrows near the Burnie Penguin Centre, allowing real-time observation of the penguins. Live streaming from the cameras is available on the Burnie Penguin Centre YouTube channel, including cameras showing penguins outside their burrows. The online webcam lets you see colony life from anywhere in the world — simply open the stream and watch as little penguins spend time in their nests.
What You Can See on the Camera
The camera is installed inside a penguin burrow and operates in infrared mode, allowing observation of the birds even in complete darkness. The image is black and white, characteristic of night vision. Inside the burrow, you can see bedding made of dry grass and straw — this is how penguins arrange their nests. The camera lens may be partially fogged or dirty, creating blurred spots at the edges of the frame, but this doesn't prevent observing the burrow's inhabitants. The real-time webcam shows little penguins resting, preening their feathers, or feeding their chicks in their natural habitat.
