Over 43 000 Cape Gannets on Lambert’s Bay Bird Island this breeding season
Bird Island is alive with the sounds and spectacle of seabirds, with an estimated over 43 000 Cape Gannets currently making the island their home this breeding season. The thriving colony reinforces Bird Island, Lambert’s Bay, as one of South Africa’s most important gannet breeding sites and highlights the impact of ongoing marine conservation work.
The conservation team at Bird Island is encouraged by the sustained strong presence of gannets on the island. Work is currently underway to enhance population monitoring and improve the accuracy of long-term data. The Cape Gannet is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and Vulnerable on the SANBI Red List.
Restoring and maintaining the gannet colony has not been without challenges. In December 2005, on-land seal predation caused the entire colony to abandon the island. Through careful management by CapeNature, mitigation measures were implemented to manage predators, and bird decoys were used to lure the birds back, enabling the colony to rebuild.
Over the past year, the population has increased to well into the 40 000s, compared to consistently remaining in the 30 000s over the previous five years. This notable growth is not only the result of local breeding success but also suggests that gannets from other colonies are selecting Bird Island as a preferred breeding site.
This kind of sustained occupancy is a positive sign for the species and for the marine environment that supports them. Large, stable gannet colonies like the one on Bird Island are important indicators of ocean health along the West Coast. These seabirds rely on healthy marine ecosystems for their nutrition and breeding success, so when we see them in large numbers, it reflects a positive conservation outcome.
Early indications suggest this could be one of the strongest gannets fledging seasons in several years. To date, 7 647 fledglings have been recorded, with several weeks of the season still to go.
Gannet fledging is one of nature’s most extraordinary events. Young birds leave the safety of the colony to embark on a two- to three-year ocean-wide journey, returning only once they are ready to breed.
In partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), rangers have ringed 750 gannet chicks and 250 adult birds this season, contributing valuable data to national seabird research and monitoring programmes.
The island remains home to a diverse community of seabirds, including Cape, Crowned and White-breasted Cormorants; Common and Greater Crested Terns; Hartlaub’s Gulls; and Kelp Gulls. Adding a touch of character to the season, a moulting penguin has also taken up temporary residence, sheltering within the gannet colony.
Complementing these conservation efforts, Bird Island’s interpretive signage was updated and launched ahead of last year’s summer tourism season. The signage offers visitors fresh insights into the island’s inhabitants, history, and the role seabird colonies play in marine ecosystems.
With its remarkable seabird encounters, improved visitor facilities, and ongoing research efforts, Bird Island remains a must-see destination for anyone exploring the West Coast, particularly birders and nature enthusiasts eager to witness one of South Africa’s great seabird spectacles.
Related News
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day
Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge
The Big Biodiversity Challenge Returns to Inspire Young Eco-Champions
The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, Western Cape Government, SANBI, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, announces the return of its flagship biodiversity competition for learners in grades 6 – 9.
CapeNature urges public not to unnecessarily remove chameleons following Garden Route storms
Members of the public are urged to assist wildlife responsibly following recent severe weather events in the Garden Route, and to avoid the unnecessary removal of chameleons from their natural habitat. Following severe storms experienced in the region over the last two weeks, many trees have lost branches or fallen entirely. As a result, some small animals have been displaced from their natural habitat.
CapeNature hit by widespread flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage
CapeNature is assessing widespread damage across its Protected Areas following several days of severe weather that have affected multiple reserves and surrounding communities through electricity outages, flooding and disrupted road access across the Western Cape. Successive cold fronts brought heavy rainfall, gale-force winds and localised flooding across the Province, resulting in infrastructure damage, blocked routes and disruption to operations.
Western Cape fire season shows record early intensity and significant increase in fire activity
The 2025–2026 summer fire season began with exceptional intensity for CapeNature – official statistics showed a sharp rise in fire ignitions, high temperatures, and a large expanse of burnt areas across the Western Cape. Historically, the fire season is considered to run from 1 October to 31 March. However, activity began as early as September 2025, well before the traditional high-risk period from November onwards.
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass