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
CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR EXTERNAL MEMBER OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Applications are hereby invited for candidates to serve on the Audit and Finance Committee of CapeNature.
The member shall be independent from CapeNature, be contracted for a maximum period of two terms of three years each and will be remunerated for attendance at meetings.
Closing date for applications: 3 July 2026
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.
Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey strengthens partnerships for freshwater ecosystem conservation
In the upper reaches of the Huis River near Barrydale, a recent aquatic macroinvertebrate survey is helping to inform conservation decisions for the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli), including the potential expansion of its range into upstream habitats in the river. The survey was conducted in partnership with
Ongoing efforts to safeguard the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin through monitoring
The Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is one of South Africa’s most range-restricted freshwater fishes. It is endemic to the Huis–Tradouw River catchment near Barrydale in the Western Cape. The species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small and fragmented distribution, threats from invasive fish species, pollution, water abstraction, and habitat degradation.
Western Cape Government Prepares for Midweek Storm
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, today said that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre had been briefed by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) on a cut-off low-pressure system expected to affect the Central Karoo and eastern parts of the Garden Route on Wednesday and Thursday this week. According to SAWS, the cut-off low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds
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