DOCSLIB.ORG

Tough Times for Benguela Seabirds the Endemic Cape Gannet Breeds at Only Six Colonies, Three Each in Namibia and South Africa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tough Times for Benguela Seabirds the Endemic Cape Gannet Breeds at Only Six Colonies, Three Each in Namibia and South Africa going, going, GANNET... TOUGH TIMES FOR BENGUELA SEABIRDS The endemic Cape Gannet breeds at only six colonies, three each in Namibia and South Africa. The Namibian colonies have been decreas- ing for decades, following the collapse of pelagic fish stocks, but the South African colonies have held their own. Recently, however, the two west coast colonies at Lambert’s Bay and Malgas Island have suffered a shortage of food and increased predation pressure, culminating in Lambert’s Bay being aban- doned in 2005 when Cape fur seals entered the colony to kill adult birds. Active management by CapeNature has tackled this problem, but the birds still face a daunting array of threats. TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER RYAN This sign warning visitors to Malgas Island not to disturb gannets breeding near the old guano houses is now redundant. A few pairs attempted to breed there in 2006, but these peripheral groups suffered the heaviest predation pressure from gulls and pelicans. 30 GANNETS AFRICA – BIRDS & BIRDING AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK 31 MARTIN HARVEY Unfortunately, this happy state of affairs didn’t last. Since the late 1990s, pelagic fish stocks have been moving steadily eastwards from their traditional west coast haunts onto the Agulhas Bank. Quite what is driving this shift is unclear, but the net result is that by 2004 there was little by way of sardines or anchovies left in the areas accessible to gannets breeding at west coast colonies. he Benguela is one of the world’s most productive coastal ecosystems. The The birds have been forced to switch their diet, eating more saury, a warm- prevailing southerly winds and Coriolis force combine to drive surface waters water pelagic fish found further offshore, as well as hake scavenged from demersal offshore, allowing clear, nutrient-rich bottom water to well up to the surface. trawlers. Much of this hake is in the T As this water warms up, large-celled new stable state dominated by species form of offal and discards, and is a lower diatoms flourish, forming dense blooms with little value to seabirds. As a result, quality than their normal prey. As a that provide food for zooplankton and Cape Gannet numbers have fallen dra- result, the gannets’ breeding success has filter-feeding pelagic fish such as sardines matically, decreasing more than 80 per suffered, with some chicks abandoned and anchovies. This predictable, highly cent from some 125 000 pairs in the or starving. efficient food chain supports a host of 1950s to fewer than 20 000 pairs today. top predators, including three endem- The colony at Possession Island is on f this were the only problem facing ic seabirds: African Penguin Spheniscus the verge of extinction, having plum- the gannets, it might not be too demersus, Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax meted from 15 000 pairs to only 750. serious. The Benguela is a variable capensis and Cape Gannet Morus capen- Off South Africa, anchovies largely system that has undergone signi- sis. These birds used to occur in such replaced sardines. Anchovies are small- Ificant changes historically, with large also can be a major problem, not only Opposite During the 1990s, when large numbers that their guano was er and are less efficient for gannets to fluctuations in fish abundance and from spills of crude oil and ship fuel, but Malgas Island supported the largest Cape mined for use as fertiliser. Now the popu- catch, but the gannet population re- alternating dominance by sardines and also fish oil from processing plants. Gannet colony in the world, gannets lations of all three are decreasing, thanks mained stable or even increased, aided anchovies. Gannets and other predators But perhaps the most worrying issue covered most of the island’s surface. By to human impacts on the system. in part by fishing restrictions that saw have evolved to cope with this variabil- is predation at the breeding colonies. 2006, large gaps were obvious, making it Lambert’s Bay A purse-seine fishery competes direct- a slow but steady recovery in sardine ity and, given relatively slow changes, Cape fur seals also are suffering from easier for predators to enter the colony. ly with the birds for pelagic fish and, in numbers in the 1980s. Interestingly, they could doubtless adapt. However, a shortage of fish prey, and some indi- the 1970s, overfishing caused sardine it was routine monitoring of gannet gannets face numerous other threats. At viduals have resorted to eating seabirds. Above Some pairs of Kelp Gulls special- SOUTH AFRICA stocks to collapse. Off Namibia, this led diet that first recorded this recovery, as sea, some are killed when they become This has happened from time to time ise in raiding gannet nests for eggs and Saldanha Malgas Is. WESTERN CAPE to a vast increase in the abundance of seabirds are more efficient and selective entangled in fishing gear or on long- in the past, but the numbers of seals chicks. Their impact can be estimated gelatinous animals such as jellyfish and predators than purse-seine boats. By lines. A recent study estimated that some involved (and hence the numbers of from the middens of broken eggs that N Dassen Is. A salps. These indiscriminate filter-feeders the mid-1990s, sardine numbers had 2 000 gannets are killed each year off birds killed) has increased significantly accumulate near each nest, with pairs CAPE TOWN now proliferate in Namibian waters, recovered to the point where a sub- South Africa alone. Mitigation measures in recent years. The most dramatic adding five to 10 new eggs every day. C OCE Mossel Bay I Bird Is. efficiently catching not only zooplank- stantial fishery was once again possi- have now been implemented by the incident occurred at Lambert’s Bay in NT Gansbaai ton but also the eggs and larvae of the ble. Gannet numbers peaked at around trawl fishery, but the problem is likely to 2005, when seals killed several hundred A TL Dyer Is. Cape Agulhas few remaining pelagic fish, effectively 11 000 pairs at Lambert’s Bay and 58 000 get worse as more gannets are forced to adult gannets in the colony (see Africa A INDIAN OCEAN trapping the pelagic ecosystem in a pairs at Malgas Island. scavenge from vessels. Oil pollution can – Birds & Birding, April/May 2006). 32 GANNETS AFRICA – BIRDS & BIRDING FEBRUARY/MARCH 2007 GANNETS 33 This caused the entire colony to aban- feeding on seabird chicks on the island. mining in 1843–’45. Then, however, don the island, to the consternation of By 2005 they had spread their attacks to they faced just the single threat – today, the local tourism industry. CapeNature, the guano islands around Saldanha Bay, Cape Gannets are being challenged from who manages the island, deployed gan- including Malgas Island. Every day, up all sides. net decoys to attract the birds back to 120 pelicans descend on the gannet The only Cape Gannet colony that is in 2006, and have installed a resident colony, each wolfing down a couple of still thriving is at Bird Island in Algoa marksman who has permission to shoot chicks. Combined with the impacts of Bay. If anything, these birds have bene- any seals observed killing birds. The Kelp Gulls, relatively few chicks survive fited from the eastward shift of pelagic good news is that the gannets have to fledge and run the gauntlet of seals fish, and they appear to have fewer returned and are currently breeding, patrolling the waters off the island. problems with predators. One option albeit a little later than usual. Seal attacks on land also occurred ape Gannets are not the only at Malgas Island in 2005, but most species affected by these chang- seal predation takes place at sea. Newi es. Cape Cormorants have been Makhado is studying seal attacks at especially hard hit by pelicans. Malgas Island, and estimates that up to CResearcher Marta de Ponte estimates 6 000 gannets are killed in waters just that in 2006 fewer than 20 per cent of off the island each year. Most of these cormorant chicks escaped pelican pre- are newly fledged birds, representing as dation at islands around Saldanha Bay. much as 80 per cent of chick production When researchers were present on from the colony. Clearly such losses are Malgas Island they prevented pelicans not sustainable and, indeed, estimates from attacking cormorant nests close of the population at Malgas Island made to the houses at the northern side of by Marine and Coastal Management the island. However, during a hiatus indicate a steady decrease since the late of three days when no one was on the 1990s. Similar attacks occur regularly at island, the number of Cape Cormorant Lambert’s Bay, although now the seals nests fell from more than 1 200 to involved are being shot. fewer than 300, with only those nesting Seals are not the only predators target- under bushes or inside buildings surviv- ing breeding gannets. Kelp Gulls Larus ing the attention of the pelicans. Cape dominicanus are versatile predators, using Cormorants face additional threats. At for the west coast gannets would be Opposite The only Cape Cormorant a range of foraging techniques to obtain their main stronghold, Dyer Island, off to head east to join the colony at Bird nests to survive the pelican onslaught on a great diversity of prey. At gannet colo- the south coast near Gansbaai, they Island. However, established breeders Malgas Island are either inside buildings, nies, some gulls specialise in stealing have suffered repeated outbreaks of move colonies only under exceptional such as this old guano-scraper dormitory eggs and chicks. They cannot displace avian cholera, which has killed large circumstances.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • CROWNED CORMORANT | Microcarbo Coronatus (Phalacrocorax Coronatus)
    CROWNED CORMORANT | Microcarbo coronatus (Phalacrocorax coronatus) J Kemper | Reviewed by: T Cook; AJ Williams © Jessica Kemper Conservation Status: Near Threatened Southern African Range: Coastal Namibia, South Africa Area of Occupancy: 6,700 km2 Population Estimate: 1,200 breeding pairs in Namibia Population Trend: Stable to slightly increasing Habitat: Coastal islands and rocks, protected mainland sites, artificial structures, inshore marine waters Threats: Disturbance, entanglement in human debris and artificial structures, predation by gulls and seals, pollution from oiling 152 BIRDS TO WATCH IN NAMIBIA DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE TABLE 2.5: A resident species with some juvenile dispersal, this small Number of Crowned Cormorant breeding pairs at individu- cormorant is endemic to south-west Namibia and west al breeding localities in Namibia (listed north to south), esti- to south-western South Africa. It has a very restricted mated from annual peaks of monthly nest counts at Mercu- ry, Ichaboe, Halifax and Possession islands, and elsewhere range along the coastline (Crawford 1997b), occupying an from opportunistic counts, not necessarily done during peak area of about 6,700 km2 in Namibia (Jarvis et al. 2001). It breeding (Bartlett et al. 2003, du Toit et al. 2003, Kemper et usually occurs within one kilometre of the coast, and has al. 2007, MFMR unpubl. data). not been recorded more than 10 km from land (Siegfried et al. 1975). It breeds at numerous localities in Namibia Number of Date of most and South Africa. In Namibia, it is known to breed at 12 breeding recent reliable islands, five mainland localities and one artificial structure, Breeding locality pairs estimate from Bird Rock Guano Platform near Walvis Bay to Sinclair Bird Rock Platform 98 1999/2000 Island (Table 2.5: Bartlett et al.
    [Show full text]
  • The German Colonization of Southwest Africa and the Anglo-German Rivalry, 1883-1915
    University of Nebraska at Omaha DigitalCommons@UNO Student Work 7-1-1995 Doors left open then slammed shut: The German colonization of Southwest Africa and the Anglo-German rivalry, 1883-1915 Matthew Erin Plowman University of Nebraska at Omaha Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork Recommended Citation Plowman, Matthew Erin, "Doors left open then slammed shut: The German colonization of Southwest Africa and the Anglo-German rivalry, 1883-1915" (1995). Student Work. 435. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/435 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Work by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. DOORS LEFT OPEN THEN SLAMMED SHUT: THE GERMAN COLONIZATION OF SOUTHWEST AFRICA AND THE ANGLO-GERMAN RIVALRY, 1883-1915. A Thesis Presented to the Department of History and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha by Matthew Erin Plowman July 1995 UMI Number: EP73073 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI Blsaartalibn Publish*rig UMI EP73073 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author.
    [Show full text]
  • First Atlantic Records of the Red-Footed Booby Sula Sula and Brown Booby S. Leucogaster in Southern Africa
    36 FIRST ATLANTIC RECORDS OF THE RED-FOOTED BOOBY SULA SULA AND BROWN BOOBY S. LEUCOGASTER IN SOUTHERN AFRICA B.M. DYER1 & Y. CHESSELET2 1Marine and Coastal Management, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012, South Africa ([email protected]) 2Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, PO Box 394, Lüderitz, Namibia Received 31 August 2000, accepted 18 April 2002 The Red-footed Booby Sula sula and the Brown Booby S. taken to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of leucogaster occur in most tropical seas (Harrison 1983). Both Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) rescue station for treatment, but died species have been recorded previously in the southern African three days later. The corpse was then sent for necropsy to the region (Maclean 1993, Hockey et al. 1992, 1996). Three addi- Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Stellenbosch. Enterobacter coli tional records are reported here for the Red-footed Booby and one and other Enterobacteriae were identified but were considered (the third) for the Brown Booby in southern Africa, all from the unlikely to have caused death. The stomach was empty. The speci- Atlantic coast. men (the first for South Africa) is in the South African Museum (SAM ZO58494). Morphometric details are culmen 79.9 mm, tarsus 237.5 mm, wing 372 mm, and tail 192 mm. RED-FOOTED BOOBY The three records published here are the first for the Atlantic coast A white-morph Red-footed Booby was observed at Ichaboe Island of southern Africa although several records exist for the eastern (26°17'S, 14°56'E) by Y.C., c. 30 km north of Lüderitz, Namibia coast, all from Mozambique (Hockey et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Flight Patterns and Energy Budget of the Cape Gannet
    Energy Budget and foraging behaviour of the Cape gannet Morus capensis during the breeding season René Alfredo Navarro-Cañas BSc. Biology - MSc. Zoology Universidad Austral de Chile Thesis presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Zoology University of Cape Town 2010 Supervised by: Professor L.G. Underhill Co-supervised by: Dr. R.J.M. Crawford 2 Declaration I hereby declare that all of the work presented in this thesis, titled “Energy Budget and foraging behaviour of the Cape gannet, Morus capensis, during the breeding season”, is my own, except where otherwise stated in the text. This thesis has not been submitted in whole or in part for a degree at any other university. Signed in Cape Town in July 2010, René Alfredo Navarro-Cañas Date of graduation: December 16th, 2010 3 4 To Henk Visser Whose vision and enthusiasm lead to this project, it’s funding and its beginnings. I am grateful for the trust and opportunity he gave me to conduct this piece of research “Supiste que vencer o ser vencido son caras de un azar indiferente, que no hay otra virtud que ser valiente.” Did you know that to win or to be defeated are faces of an indifferent fate that there is no other virtue that being brave Jorge Luis Borges 5 6 Contents Chapter 1 General introduction 19 Chapter 2 The growth of Cape gannet chicks: intra- and inter- 31 seasonal comparisons of growth performance in relation to adults foraging effort and prey availability Chapter 3 Energy expenditure of free-ranging chicks of the 57 Cape gannet Chapter 4 Water everywhere but not a drop to drink: water flux 89 and water economy of free-ranging Cape gannets Chapter 5 A new look at track sinuosity: using distance-ratio 105 scale for the analysis of animal movement Chapter 6 Unpredictable resources and foraging strategies in 129 Cape gannets Chapter 7 Energy expenditure Cape gannets in relation to 157 foraging behaviour Chapter 8 Synthesis.
    [Show full text]
  • KELP BLUE NAMIBIA (Pty) Ltd
    KELP BLUE NAMIBIA (Pty) Ltd EIA SCOPING & IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED KELP CULTIVATION PILOT PROJECT NEAR LÜDERITZ, KARAS REGION Prepared for: Kelp Blue Namibia (Pty) Ltd August 2020 1 DOCUMENT CONTROL Report Title EIA SCOPING & IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED KELP CULTIVATION PILOT PROJECT NEAR LÜDERITZ, KARAS REGION Report Author Werner Petrick Client Kelp Blue Namibia (Pty) Ltd Project Number NSP2020KB01 Report Number 1 Status Final to MEFT and MFMR Issue Date August 2020 DISCLAIMER The views expressed in the document are the objective, independent views of the author with input from various Environmental and Social Experts (i.e. Specialists). Neither Werner Petrick nor Namisun Environmental Projects and Development (Namisun) have any business, personal, financial, or other interest in the proposed Project apart from fair remuneration for the work performed. The content of this report is based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge, input from the Environmental Specialists, as well as available information. Project information contained herein is based on the interpretation of data collected and data provided by the client, accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid. Namisun reserves the right to modify the report in any way deemed necessary should new, relevant, or previously unavailable or undisclosed information become available that could alter the assessment findings. This report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. Project Nr: NSP2020KB01 EIA SCOPING & IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT AND EMP FOR August 2020 Report number: 1 THE PROPOSED KELP CULTIVATION PILOT PROJECT 2 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 75, No. 187/Tuesday, September 28, 2010
    Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 28, 2010 / Rules and Regulations 59645 * Elevation in feet (NGVD) + Elevation in feet (NAVD) Flooding source(s) Location of referenced elevation # Depth in feet Communities above ground affected ∧ Elevation in meters (MSL) Modified Unnamed Tributary No. 1 to At the area bounded by U.S. Route 33, Wabash Avenue, +1415 Unincorporated Areas of Fink Run (Backwater effects and County Route 33/1. Upshur County. from Buckhannon River). * National Geodetic Vertical Datum. + North American Vertical Datum. # Depth in feet above ground. ∧ Mean Sea Level, rounded to the nearest 0.1 meter. ADDRESSES Unincorporated Areas of Upshur County Maps are available for inspection at the Upshur County Courthouse Annex, 38 West Main Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 76.913(b)(1)—62 FR 6495, February 12, collection requirements that are subject 97.022, ‘‘Flood Insurance.’’) 1997. to OMB approval. Dated: September 21, 2010. 76.924(e)(1)(iii) and (e)(2)(iii)—61 FR [FR Doc. 2010–24203 Filed 9–27–10; 8:45 am] Edward L. Connor, 9367, March 8, 1996. BILLING CODE 6712–01–P Acting Federal Insurance and Mitigation 76.925—60 FR 52119, October 5, 1995. Administrator, Department of Homeland 76.942(f)—60 FR 52120, October 5, Security, Federal Emergency Management 1995. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Agency. 76.944(c)—60 FR 52121, October 5, [FR Doc. 2010–24326 Filed 9–27–10; 8:45 am] 1995. Fish and Wildlife Service BILLING CODE 9110–12–P 76.957—60 FR 52121, October 5, 1995.
    [Show full text]
  • Reflections on the Phylogenetic Position and Generic Status Of
    Herpe y & tolo og g l y: o C th i u Caio J Carlos, Entomol Ornithol Herpetol 2017, 6:4 n r r r e O n , t y Entomology, Ornithology & R DOI: 10.4172/2161-0983.1000205 g e o l s o e a m r o c t h n E Herpetology: Current Research ISSN: 2161-0983 Short Communication Open Access Reflections on the Phylogenetic Position and Generic Status of Abbott's Booby 'Papasula abbotti' (Aves, Sulidae) Caio J Carlos* Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia de Aves e Mamíferos Marinhos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil *Corresponding author: Caio J Carlos, Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia de Aves e Mamíferos Marinhos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, E-mail: [email protected] Received date: November 22, 2017; Accepted date: December 04, 2017; Published date: December 11, 2017 Copyright: © 2017 Carlos CJ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract Introduction: I here comment on the phylogenetic position and generic status of the rare and threatened Abbott's Booby Papasula abbotti. I argue that the current genus name of this species was erected from an incorrect interpretation of a phylogenetic hypothesis and a straightforward decision about its generic placement cannot be made, given the conflicts regarding the species' closer phylogenetic relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • Foraging Ecology of Masked Boobies: the Importance of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors
    Foraging ecology of Masked Boobies: The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors by Julia Sommerfeld Diploma in Zoology, University of Hamburg Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Research and Technology Centre, University of Kiel June 2013 i ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Um ein fundiertes Verständnis über die Ernährungsökologie mariner Top-Prädatoren zu erlangen, ist es erforderlich, sowohl die Effekte intrinsischer Eigenschaften des Tieres zu untersuchen, als auch extrinsche, umweltbedingte Faktoren präzise zu bestimmen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden dazu die Bewegungs- und Aktivitätsmuster kükenaufziehender Maskentölpel Sula dactylatra über zwei Brutzeiten auf Phillip Island (Norfolk Island Gruppe), Australien (Südpazifik) mit Hilfe von GPS- und Tauch- Beschleunigungs-Datenloggern aufgezeichnet. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es Folgendes zu bestimmen: (I) Beeinflussen intrinsche Faktoren, wie zum Beispiel unterschiedliche Körpergewichte und Größe innerhalb desselben Geschlechts, die Bewegungsmuster, Flug- und Tauchverhalten von Männchen und Weibchen? (II) Verändern Adulttiere ihre Bewegungsmuster und ihr Tauchverhalten im Laufe der Untersuchungszeit und falls ja, steht dies im Verhältnis zu den Änderungen in der Nahrungsverteilung? (III) Die Bestimmung der Genaugigkeit der First-Passage Time (FPT) Analyse – eine Methode die zunehmend verwendet wird, um spezifische Nahrungssuchgebiete (Area-restricted-search (ARS) Zonen) anhand von GPS-Daten zu identifizieren. (I) Maskentölpel weisen einen umgekehrten Geschlechtsdimorphismus auf (d.h. Weibchen sind größer als Männchen). Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie belegen, dass der Wechsel zwischen kurzen und langen Beutezügen bei Weibchen abhängig vom Körpergewicht ist und wahrscheinlich dazu dient, abwechselnd Nahrung für das Küken zu erbeuten (kurze Beutezüge) bzw. zur Selbsternährung dient (lange Beutezüge).
    [Show full text]
  • Walvis Bay: South Africa's Claims to Sovereignty
    Denver Journal of International Law & Policy Volume 16 Number 2 Winter/Spring Article 4 May 2020 Walvis Bay: South Africa's Claims to Sovereignty Earle A. Partington Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/djilp Recommended Citation Earle A. Partington, Walvis Bay: South Africa's Claims to Sovereignty, 16 Denv. J. Int'l L. & Pol'y 247 (1988). This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Denver Journal of International Law & Policy by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],dig- [email protected]. Walvis Bay: South Africa's Claims to Sovereignty EARLE A. PARTINGTON* I. INTRODUCTION After more than a century of colonial domination, the Mandated Territory of South West Africa/Namibia' is close to receiving-its indepen- dence. South Africa continues to administer the Territory as it has since its military forces conquered and occupied it in 1915 during World War I. In the negotiations between South Africa and the United Nations over Namibian independence, differences have arisen between the parties over whether the Territory includes either (1) the port and settlement of Walvis Bay, an enclave of 1124 square kilometers in the center of Namibia's Atlantic coast, or (2) the Penguin Islands, twelve small guano islands strung along 400 kilometers of the Namibian coast between Walvis Bay and the Orange River, the Orange River being part of the boundary between South Africa and Namibia.
    [Show full text]
  • Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Enabling Actions Report: Ornithological Cumulative Impact Assessment Framework
    Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Enabling Actions Report Ornithological Cumulative Impact Assessment Framework Conservation Management Plan 0 © Crown Copyright 2013 Published by The Crown Estate. This report is available on The Crown Estate website at: www.thecrownestate.co.uk Dissemination Statement This publication (excluding the logos) may be re-used free of charge in any format or medium. It may only be re-used accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as The Crown Estate copyright and use of it must give the title of the source publication. Where third party copyright material has been identified, further use of that material requires permission from the copyright holders concerned. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in this report are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of The Crown Estate, and The Crown Estate is not liable for the accuracy of the information provided or responsible for any use of the content. ORNITHOLOGICAL CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK PENTLAND FIRTH AND ORKNEY WATERS WAVE & TIDAL PROJECTS This report has been published by The Crown Estate as part of our enabling work to support development of the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters wave and tidal projects. This work aims to accelerate and de-risk the development process, looking at a range of key issues. Work is selected, commissioned and steered by The Crown Estate in close discussion with the project developers. For more information on The Crown Estate’s work in wave and tidal energy, see www.thecrownestate.co.uk/energy/wave-and-tidal/ or contact [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Partitioning of Nesting Space Among Seabirds of the Benguela Upwelling Region
    PARTITIONING OF NESTING SPACE AMONG SEABIRDS OF THE BENGUELA UPWELLING REGION DAviD C. DuFFY & GRAEME D. LA CocK Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa, 7700. Received February /985 SUMMARY DuFFY, D. C. & LA CocK, G. D. 1985. Partitioning of nesting space among seabirds of the Benguela upwel­ ling region. Ostrich 56: 186-201. An examination of nesting habitats used by the four main species of seabirds nesting on southern African islands (Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus, Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis, Bank Cormorant P. neglectus and Cape Gannet Morus capensis) revealed relatively minor differences and extensive over­ laps between species, primarily in subcolony size, steepness of nesting substratum, and proximity to cliffs. A weak dominance hierarchy existed; gannets could displace penguins, and penguins could displace cor­ morants. This hierarchy appeared to have little effect on partitioning of nesting space. Species successfully defended occupied sites in most cases of interspecific conflict, suggesting that site tenure by one species could prevent nesting by another. The creation of additional nesting space on Namibian nesting platforms did not increase guano harvests, suggesting that nesting space had not previously limited the total nesting population of Cape Cormorants, the most abundant of the breeding species, in Namibia. While local shortages of nesting space may occur, populations of the four principal species of nesting seabirds in the Benguela upwelling region do not seem to have been limited by the availability of nesting space on islands. INTRODUCTION pean settlement, space for nesting was limited. Af­ ter settlement, human disturbance such as hunting The breeding seabirds of the Benguela upwel­ and guano extraction reduced nesting space, re­ ling region off Namibia and South Africa are be­ sulting in smaller populations of nesting seabirds.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa: the Southwestern Cape & Kruger August 17–September 1, 2018
    SOUTH AFRICA: THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE & KRUGER AUGUST 17–SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 Leopard LEADER: PATRICK CARDWELL LIST COMPILED BY: PATRICK CARDWELL VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM SOUTH AFRICA: THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE & KRUGER AUGUST 17–SEPTEMER 1, 2018 By Patrick Cardwell Our tour started in the historical gardens of the Alphen Hotel located in the heart of the Constantia Valley, with vineyards dating back to 1652 with the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck, the first Governor of the Cape. Surrounded by aging oak and poplar trees, this Heritage Site hotel is perfectly situated as a central point within the more rural environs of Cape Town, directly below the towering heights of Table Mountain and close to the internationally acclaimed botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch. DAY 1 A dramatic change in the prevailing weather pattern dictated a ‘switch’ between scheduled days in the itinerary to take advantage of a window of relatively calm sea conditions ahead of a cold front moving in across the Atlantic from the west. Our short drive to the harbor followed the old scenic road through the wine lands and over Constantia Nek to the picturesque and well-wooded valley of Hout (Wood) Bay, so named by the Dutch settlers for the abundance of old growth yellow wood trees that were heavily exploited during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Our skipper was on standby to welcome us on board a stable sport fishing boat with a wraparound gunnel, ideal for all-round pelagic seabird viewing and photographic opportunity in all directions.
    [Show full text]