Stony Point Nature Reserve
Erf 2412 situated on a small rocky peninsula, on Betty's Bay coast, is a sea bird colony of great value. A fenced -off portion protects the penguins although small openings in the fence allow some them to nest outside the enclosure, under the thick bush, and many penguins do so...
Declared a municipal nature reserve in July 2002, this seabird colony is growing steadily in size and importance because of the breeding of the endangered cormorants, as well as the penguins. The Red Data Bank and Crowned Cormorants have only very recently begun breeding here. They are extremely sensitive to human presence; therefore the Stony Point Reserve must be doing something right.
Approached by a high boardwalk, with many benches at look out points, this colony is well worth a visit. This is a place for quiet contemplation and hope. The hope will be that this small, but growing, colony will contribute to the rising tide of threatened extinction that faces all our birds.
The first penguin nest was found in 1982, and a slow but steady increase has been noted each year.
Monitoring of the colony goes on all year round, and the penguins are all counted during their moult, once a year.
This year artificial nests were introduced into the enclosed colony to encourage the penguins to nest in the safer area. At present, 15 of these nests are being used.
Apart from the sea birds, over 50 species of land bird frequents this area and the Dune Thicket vegetation supports some 30 Genus and almost 60 species.
There are remains of early people who lived here in the form of shell middens, and the remains of the whaling station, complete with a shipwreck, are visible. Now the whales come back in huge numbers each winter, safe from the harpoon, to be admired by people all along this coast.
A fee of R5 per person is charged at the entrance to the colony. Members of the Stony Point Nature Reserve Society enter free.
This society works in partnership with the local authorities and the members of its
management committee are responsible for all the monitoring, maintenance, signage, public information and the treatment of any ill or injured birds.
Membership forms are available from The Secretary, The Stony Point Nature Reserve Society, PO Box 457, Betty's Bay 7141. Subscription is R20 per person per year.
PA Palmer
Pic: Buçaco Sud Guest House: Those black & white specks are penguins!
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