Page 225 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

2.2.4.10 Seabird breeding localities in the Tsitsikamma section of
the Garden Route National Park

Authors: RM Randall, N Hanekom, BM Randall, RJM Crawford, and BM Dyer

Abstract:
Four species of seabird, Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis), White-breasted Cormorant (P. lucidus), Crowned Cormorant
(Microcarbo coronatus) and Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), have bred at seven localities in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route
National Park. All four species bred at No. 12 stacks, which is the easternmost breeding site of Crowned Cormorants. White-breasted
Cormorants bred at two other localities and Kelp Gulls at all localities.
Introduction:
The Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park (TCNP) was proclaimed in 1964 (Crawford 1983) and is now part of the Garden Route National
Park (GRNP). Skead and Liversidge (1967) noted the presence of Cape Cormorants and White-breasted Cormorants in TCNP (but not
their breeding) and that Kelp Gulls bred ‘on islands offshore’. Brooke et al. (1982) and Crawford et al. (1982) recorded breeding in TCNP
in 1971 by White-breasted Cormorants and Kelp Gulls, respectively. Cape Cormorants were first recorded breeding in TCNP in 1980
(Crawford 1983) and Crowned Cormorants in 2003 (Whittington 2004). Seven breeding localities in the Tsitsikamma section of the GRNP
have been identified (Crawford 1983, Figure 1).
Conservation status: All sites described are in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park.

Geelhoutbos river

No 12

Dominicanus stack

Capensis stack

Carbo stack

Phalacrocorax stack

Beyers Island
Skilderkrans

West East
breeding site
breeding site

Groot River Storms River

TSITSIKAMMA SECTION
Klip River
PLETTENBERG
BAY
Helpmekaar
River Skilderkrans
Elands River
Storms River
No 12 Beyer’s Mouth
Island
Figure 1. Map of seabird breeding localities in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park

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