Page 213 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

Species and numbers breeding: White-breasted
Cormorant
White-breasted Cormorant

Year No. of pairs
1981 5
2012 0
Source: 1981 (Brooke et al. 1982); 2012 (Crawford et al.
2013)

Witklippunt
Coordinates:34.4697 S; 20.8514 E
Description: A vegetated area just west of Cape
Infanta, with a rocky shore that allows access by African
Penguins. The headland has been fenced off to exclude
land predators that prey on penguins. Penguins bred at
the site from 2003–2007 but abandoned the locality after
losses to predators (Underhill et al. 2006, Crawford et al.
2011). Attempts are being made to reattract penguins to
the area (BirdLife South Africa 2016), with some success
as breeding recommended in 2022 (Hagen 2022). White-
breasted Cormorants bred in 2005 but no longer do. The
site was also an important roost for Greater Crested Terns
(700), Cape Cormorants (650), White-breasted Cormorants
(35), and Kelp Gulls (30) in 2005 (CapeNature unpubl.).The
roost is still in use, albeit with fewer birds.
Conservation status: It is protected, falling within DHNR.
Species and numbers breeding: African Penguin, White-
breasted Cormorant

African Penguin
Year No. of pairs
Some cliff ledges used by White-breasted Cormorants for nesting
near Mosselbank, De Hoop Nature Reserve, 2012 (photos RJM 2003 1
Crawford) 2004 7
Mosselbank 2005 15
Coordinates: 34.4704 S; 20.8247 E 2006 18
Description: It is an overnight hut on a walking trail on the
coast that is flanked by sea cliffs on the west and east, on 2007 1
which White-breasted Cormorants bred. 2008 0
Conservation status: It is protected, falling within DHNR.
Species and numbers breeding: White-breasted Cormo- Source: Underhill et al. (2006); Crawford et al (2011)
rant
Note: African Penguins did not breed at the locality from
White-breasted Cormorant 2008–2021 but one pair bred in 2002, three pairs in 2023
and one in 2024 (Hagen 2002, 2003, 2004)
Year No. of pairs
2012 22 White-breasted Cormorant
Year No. of pairs
Source: 2012 (Crawford et al. 2013)
1953 18
Uiterstepunt 2005 8
Coordinates: 34.4737 S; 20.8467 E 2012 0
Description: Sea cliffs on a point east of Mosselbank.
White-breasted Cormorant bred on ledges (Brooke et al. 2022 0
1982). There is a lighthouse nearby. Source: Brooke et al. (1982); CapeNature (unpubl.);
Conservation status: It is protected, falling within DHNR. Crawford et al. (2013); Hagen C (unpubl.)

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