Page 219 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

continued to breed at the site until at least 2017, with a
maximum number of 44 pairs recorded in 1983. Although
White-breasted Cormorants have been recorded breeding
in all months of the year, there is a pronounced seasonal
pattern with the highest incidence of nesting from February
to July (Crawford et al. 2013).
Cape Cormorants were first recorded breeding at the
site in 1995 when a single pair bred but the species only
sporadically breeds at the site with a maximum of six pairs
observed in 2000. During winter the species roosts on
the cliffs in large numbers after feeding in coastal lakes
during the day (Crawford et al. 2016).
Kelp Gulls were first recorded breeding at the site
in 1995 when four pairs were counted. The species has
consistently bred at the site since then with a maximum of
seven pairs in 2017.
A single Kelp Gull nest was seen at Sedgefield from van-
tage points on 29 December 1978 (Crawford et al. 1982). The cliff ledges west of Gerricke’s Punt, where most breeding by
This was assumed to be the same locality as Gericke’s seabirds takes place (photo RM Randall)
Punt by Whittington et al. (2016).
Thesen’s Island
Goukamma Nature Reserve Author: RJM Crawford
Author: RJM Crawford Coordinates: 34.0488 S; 23.05308 E
Coordinates: 34.04881 S; 22.84120 E Description: An island in Knysna Lagoon that was con-
Description: An offshore rock in Goukamma Nature nected via a bridge to Knysna town and built up. A single
Reserve (GNR), which is administered by CapeNature. pair of Kelp Gulls bred there in 1999 prior to the island’s
Conservation status: It is protected in GNR. development.
Species breeding: White-breasted Cormorant Conservation status: Not protected.
Numbers breeding: Species breeding: Kelp Gull
Numbers breeding:
Year No. of pairs Year No. of pairs
1973 15 1999 1
2012 0 2021 0
Sources: Brooke et al. (1982), Crawford et al. (2013) Source: Turpie and Love (2000)
Note: The count of one pair of Kelp Gulls at Knysna in
Vaalkom Island 2012 (Whittington et al. 2016) referred to Western Head,
Author: RJM Crawford Knysna. There was an observation of four Caspian Terns at
Coordinates: 34.04881 S; 22.84120 E Knysna Lagoon on 4 February 2004 indicating confirmed
Description: A small offshore island near Vaalkom, which breeding by the terns (https://cwac.birdmap.africa/cards_
is east of Brenton-on-Sea. individual.php?card=5457), which has been taken to
Conservation status: Not protected. reprsent two pairs.
Species breeding: Kelp Gull
Numbers breeding: Knysna Western Head and Coney Glen
Author: RM Randall and BM Randall
Year No. of pairs
Coordinates: Western Head 34.0793 S; 23.0581 E.
1979 8 Coney Glen 34.0843 S; 23.0652 E
Source: Underhill et al. (1980)
Note: This locality was called ‘Knysna’ by Crawford et al.
(1982) and Whittington et al. (2016).

The low-level portion of the Western Head site where most of the
Gericke’s Punt at low spring tide (photo RM Randall) breeding by Cape Cormorants has taken place (photo RM Randall)

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