Stony Point Penguin Colony

Stony Point

Stony Point is a small village just to the west of Kleinmond, close to Betty's Bay. African Penguins only started nesting here in 1982 & this was the impetus to designate it as a protected area. It is only one of three mainland nesting locations on the mainland. Currently there are around 2,000 pairs nesting here, which makes it a significant site.

Looking east from Stony Point.

Looking toward the point, 

the boardwalk is on the right.

Delana on the boardwalk.

Rock Hyrax are common along this coastline

At this time of year, numbers of Penguins are low.

Birds are just loafing on the beach 

& some are moulting.

Cape Fur Seal.

Adult African Penguin

Adults are quiet this time of year.

This colony is increasing year on year.

Cape Nature have provided artificial

 nesting chambers & this has been

 a great success.

Even though it is the non breeding season

 some birds are paired up.

There are many moulting individuals.

This location is also an important breeding site

 for Cormorants, with four species breeding.

The dominant species is Cape Cormorant.

Cape Cormorant

Immature 

Bank Cormorant

There is a small colony of Bank Cormorants 

on the outer rocks.

We counted 43 birds here.

This species has undergone a

 catastrophic decline in the

 last two decades.

Breeding adults show a conspicuous white patch

 on the back in flight.

This species can be difficult to identify at distance.

This species appears to be fickle in habits,

only found in small flocks & breeding in

 unhospitable locations.

Nice to photograph this species.

We enjoyed ourselves here. Cape Nature have done a great job in both conserving this location & increasing numbers of Penguins breeding here. African Penguin is a very localized species & has several major threats to its existence being located in major shipping lanes & along a densely populated coastline. The colony of Bank Cormorants is also significant as this species is declining at an alarming rate.