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A shocking report released by Birdlife South Africa and WWF-South Africa has revealed that over 33,000 seabirds are killed by longline vessels operating off the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. Namibian longliners were responsible for 98% of mortalities due to a lack of awareness and absence of marine regulations to reduce the bycatch which included sharks and turtles. The number of birds killed was regarded as the absolute minimum and excludes data from Angola. Recommendations are contained in the report to reduce the impact of longlining and funds raised locally will contribute towards this objective. 
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A King Penguin that washed ashore near Cape St Francis some two months ago has recovered from his ordeal and completed his moult. By all reports the penguin looks stunning and croons away to the delight of tourists to the seabird rehabilitation centre. Scientists are reluctant to release the penguin on Marion Island due to the risk of introducing an infectious disease. This view is in keeping with the ruling laid down by the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research.
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While on pelagics two seabirds rare to the waters off Cape of Good Hope have been recorded by birders on pelagic trips out of Simon’s Town. A Wedge-tailed Shearwater was reported in February and most exciting of all a report of a Grey-backed Storm-Petrel in early April. |
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Nick Holmes from the UK recorded a Red-billed Oxpecker on a Warthog during a visit to the Addo Elephant Park. This is a most noteworthy and encouraging sighting as the bird is well south of its normal range in the Lowveld and the Kruger Park. |
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Of particular interest to local ‘twitchers’ were reports of two Egyptian Vultures sighted over a consecutive period of days at different waterholes in the Kalahari Transfrontier Park. |
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Back home we chalked up a record number of 33 Cape Sugarbirds in the garden directly below the main viewing deck overlooking False Bay. |
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Also newsworthy was the spectacular courting behaviour of a pair of Verreaux Eagles above their nest site across the bay. The synchronized aerial display had us completely enthralled for a full half hour during a successful search for the charismatic and sometimes elusive pair of Cape Rockjumper that inhabit the same rocky slopes. |
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An unexpected visitor in the form of a solitary male baboon known to all in the Simon’s Town area as Eric appeared in the lounge of the main house before departing discreetly over the veranda rail and into the garden. Cape Porcupines on their nightly patrols of the property are one thing but a full size Chacma Baboon is quite another on our mammal list… |
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23rd April 2007
This is where we will regularly post snippets and photos from our clients and from our own trips, interesting news items, and info on any forthcoming tours that may have space. 