Unusual bird species welcomed at CapeNature’s Bird Island this summer
CapeNature’s Bird Island Nature Reserve in Lambert’s Bay, known for its stunning seafront vistas and diverse birdlife, recently hosted unexpected visitors that sent bird enthusiasts into a frenzy. In a rare sighting, four Australasian Gannets and two Brown Boobies made a surprise visit to the island.
Situated on the West Coast, the island is almost three hectares in size and is connected to the mainland via a breakwater. It is an important breeding and roosting site for seabirds, particularly Cape Gannets and Cormorants.
The differences between the two Gannet species are subtle, particularly to the untrained eye. The yellow crown in the Australasian Gannet is darker, the blue eye ring is darker, the gular stipe is shorter, and the outer tail feathers are white compared to the Cape Gannet's black tail feathers.
One of the Gannets was first spotted three years ago on Malgas Island near Saldanha Bay and has been ringed with a plastic ring with an ‘AU’ marking on it for identification purposes. AU is a female Australasian Gannet and has been present on Bird Island since November 2023 and is currently the only Australasian Gannet still spotted in the area.
While the Australasian Gannets garnered much of the attention, the rarer Brown Boobies were a treat to have on the island. The species are found in the tropical regions of all three major oceans on Earth.
Brown Boobies are susceptible to tropical storms, which can offset their internal navigation, causing them to show up in destinations far from where they would normally make land.
While the island is no stranger to welcoming enthusiastic twitchers, both local and international, the Australasian Gannets and Brown Boobies caused quite a stir when they arrived. News of their visit spread rapidly on social media and bird enthusiast groups, with one twitcher immediately travelling to the island from Johannesburg after hearing the news.
Visitor numbers nearly doubled during January, compared to the same period last year, as a direct result of the visit to the island.
Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature says: “Having both these species on the reserve gave Bird Island the recognition it deserves as a top bird spotting destination. The island is firmly on the map, with many spotters over the moon with these sightings, highlighting the importance of what these sightings mean to birding enthusiasts.”
Related News
CapeNature visitors invited to support communities through new donation scheme
A visit to a CapeNature nature reserve can help a neighbour in need. From 5 October 2026, guests at three participating nature reserves can bring gently used clothing, blankets and other essential items for local non-profit organisations. The first phase of the donation scheme will run at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve near Heidelberg, Kogelberg Nature Reserve near Kleinmond, and Cederberg Wilderness Nature Reserve near Clanwilliam.
Radio network upgrade to strengthen emergency communication in Hangklip area
CapeNature and Overstrand Municipality will install a small radio repeater station near Hangklip Peak as part of an upgrade to the region’s radio communication network. The repeater will strengthen the communication networks used by both parties and improve coverage across the Overstrand municipal area, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area and parts of the City of Cape Town. Reliable radio communication is essential for the daily operations of
State of Conservation Report 2026 tracks progress and pressures facing Western Cape biodiversity
The Western Cape’s biodiversity is facing mounting pressure, with a sharp increase in the area affected by fires and more ecosystems and species classified as threatened, according to the Western Cape State of Conservation Report 2026. The report records 107 fires that burned 215 936 hectares during the 2025/26 reporting period – almost three times the 75 174 hectares burned by 97 fires in the previous reporting period.
El Niño raises fire risk as Western Cape prepares for a challenging fire season
The Western Cape is preparing for a potentially challenging wildfire season, with the developing El Niño weather pattern expected to contribute to hotter and drier conditions and an increased risk of wildfires across the province. The South African Weather Service has warned of below-normal rainfall associated with the expected strong El Niño during the coming summer season. While El Niño does not automatically mean that every part of the province will experience drought
Cape fur seal safety remains important this World Rabies Day
On World Rabies Day (28 September), CapeNature is reminding residents and visitors to keep a safe distance from Cape fur seals and to act immediately if they or their pets are bitten, scratched or exposed to a seal’s saliva. Rabies has been detected in Cape fur seals along the South African coastline and by the end of 2025, at least 176 people had been bitten by seals. While most seals do not pose a threat to people, they are wild animals and should never be approached, touched, fed or encouraged to interact with humans.
How Waste Affects Biodiversity and What We Can Do About It
Waste is more than an eyesore. Littered streets, polluted rivers and overflowing landfills are visible signs of a much wider environmental problem. Every year, people generate large volumes of waste, yet much of it is not managed effectively. In South Africa, more than 60% of waste has been reported as ending up in landfills. With service-delivery challenges and many major landfill sites approaching capacity, the pressure on communities and natural ecosystems continues to grow. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity carry much of the impact.