Page 109 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

Cape
Year African Penguin Bank Cormorant Crowned Cormorant Kelp Gull
Cormorant
1990 2
1991 8 0 5 7
1995 1 275 27 14 81
1996 30
2001 1 191 30 13 86
2002 2 200 15
2004 0 33 25 57
2005 0 11 10
2006 0 225
2007 1 0
2008 0 6
2014 0
2017 2
2019 1

Seabird guano was collected at the island in 55 Sinclair Island
years between 1896 and 1962, the total quantity removed Coordinates: 27.666 S; 15.520 E
in this period being 2,865 metric tons (Tom et al. 2024). Description: Situated at the south of Baker Bay and only
Conservation status: It falls within NIMPA and has re- c. 320 m from the coast, it has an area of c. 3 ha and rises
stricted access (Currie et al. 2009). to about 15 m above sea level. The island was primarily
Species and numbers breeding: Species known to have a rookery of Cape Fur Seals but a high concrete wall en-
bred at the island and estimates of numbers breeding are closed accommodation for a small, temporary staff and
shown on the following table. They show a substantial de- provided habitat (0.4 ha) for a sizeable colony of African
crease in numbers of African Penguins between 1956 and Penguins (Rand 1963). The island is occasionally, tempo-
1987. However, numbers breeding in 2014 were similar to rarily connected to the mainland via a sand spit, which may
those in 1987.

Estimated numbers (pairs) of different seabirds breeding at Plumpudding Island, 1885–2019
Bank White-breasted Crowned
Year African Penguin Cape Cormorant Kelp Gull
Cormorant Cormorant Cormorant
1885 √
1956 3001 √ 0 40
1967 3447 34
1969 2842 31
1978 438 14 42 0 18 6
1979 29
1980 100 25 12 7
1981 20
1985 92 74 0 0 17 29
1987 228 88 0 2 23
1988 90 13 0 7 25
1990 1
1991 2 21 6 5
1993 27 4
1995 23 167 1 35
1996 38 1
1999 54
2000 67
2001 54 270 13 33
2004 36
2005 57 0 13

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