A lean summer of feeding for Mauao's little blue penguin population has wildlife officials on high alert as the birds continue to wash up on the beach having starved to death.

In recent weeks a number of the small penguins have been found on the shore between Maketu and Papamoa, either dead or barely alive.

About 40 Little Blue Penguins have washed up on shore from starvation so far this summer. Photo: File.

Mauao Area Wildlife Trust director Julia Graham says the number of birds taken into care with hunger symptoms this summer has already doubled compared to the last three years.

'It's a concern,” says Julia, 'especially with so many. The last three years we have had about 15 birds taken into care and this year we have hit the 40-plus mark.

'At one point [this summer] there were 30 birds washed up. No autopsies have been done but it is suspected they died of starvation as there were no signs of injury or disease.”

A three-year monitoring project is coming to an end soon, and Julia thinks there may be a problem with the species' feeding source of small fish including anchovies, squid, and crustacean.

There is an estimated 800 nesting on Mauao, 200 on Leisure Isalnd (Moturiki) and 400 on Rabbit Island (Motuotau).

Julia says because of low energy levels and food stocks, the penguins are reverting from their nocturnal state to venture up on to the beach during the day – putting themselves in danger with pets on the beach.

She advises dog owners to keep a close eye on their pet or on the leash as there have been cases of dogs finding the penguin before its owner and attacking the vulnerable animals.

'If it's during the day definitely bring them in,” she says. 'If it's at night, unless it's obviously injured, its best to leave them because they are nocturnal and will come up on the beach and rocks at night.

'However, it's not natural for them to come up in the middle of the day and rock up in front of a pile of people.”

These incidents come after TV 3 reported about 30 Little Blue Penguins washed up around Taranaki and Waikato in recent weeks.

DOC marine supervisor Bryan Williams said at first they thought a toxic algal bloom was responsible, but autopsies showed otherwise.

'What they found was that their stomachs were empty and their stomachs contained a brown vilely solution which shows all the signs of starvation,” says Bryan.

He added El Nino weather conditions may have something to do with the deaths.

Anyone who comes across one of the penguins is advised to take it home and contact Julia at Mauao Area Wildlife Trust on: 021 077 6851.