In 2014 MyPE was a guest of SANPARKS on Bird Island and the video below was filmed of the Haunted Island Keeper's House on Bird Island. It was a comment posted on the video below by Robert Lakay that now brings another perspective to the pain and sorrow that this house bore mute testament to. Robert said; "Shocked and saddened by the stories that have allegedly taken place at this house 30 years ago. If those walls could talk, they would cry out." Of course he s referring to the shocking … [Read more...] about If these walls could talk, they would cry out
bird island
I wonder if the Lost Boys of Bird Island were ‘entertained’ here
IN July 2014 MyPE was lucky enough to overnight on Bird Island as a guest of SANPARKS. At the time I found it pretty hilarious that the Island Keeper's home was built on the island, with no roads with a garage. After reading about the Lost Boys of Bird Island I find it a bit shitty to have laughed at the garage when the tragedy and sin against the Lost Boys of Bird Island could very well have taken place in this VERY home you see in the video below. https://youtu.be/FZla8ZJytEQ Bird … [Read more...] about I wonder if the Lost Boys of Bird Island were ‘entertained’ here
This past Sunday on Bird Island
Bird Island in Algoa Bay in South Africa is home to the worlds largest remaining colony of Cape Gannets. But, the colony is also facing the consequences of climate change as increasing temperatures and unseasonal rains places the breeding birds at risk. Nests and young become flooded and standing water increases the risks of the gannets getting avian malaria and avian cholera. We can no longer deny that climate change is happening and as it increasingly impacts on nature, so too will it … [Read more...] about This past Sunday on Bird Island
Do I detect a rebound in African Penguin numbers in Algoa Bay?
The African Penguin, Africa's only surviving penguin, breeds only in South Africa and Namibia. South Africa supports 90% of the population, including the four largest colonies: Dassen, St Croix, Robben and Bird islands. Dassen and Robben islands lie off the west coast, north of Cape Town. St Croix and Bird islands are in Algoa Bay, east of Port Elizabeth. Sanparks took over the Management of the Bird Island Marine Protected area on 4 June 2004 and in 2008 the Addo Elephant National Park … [Read more...] about Do I detect a rebound in African Penguin numbers in Algoa Bay?
Penguin Protection Bird Island Style
Rangers and Scientists on the island say that the African Penguin can do an unwary leg a bit of damage - needless to say I didn't place myself in a situation that would have resulted in angry mom succeeding with her strike. MyPE spent two days on Bird Island courtesy of Sanparks. http://youtu.be/M66rHZ1Z2t4 Creator: mypedotcoza Posted to MyPE by: Alan Straton Submit your favourite Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch videos for consideration for publication on MyPE by filling in … [Read more...] about Penguin Protection Bird Island Style
Give it up Mr Gannet!
On a recent trip to Bird Island we saw this scientist reach out and select a Gannet for study. The contents of the recently returned from fishing gannets stomach are retrieved for analysis leaving a somewhat hungry bird. We stayed on Bird Island courtesy of Sanparks who administer the Greater Addo Marine Protected Area. Listen carefully in the video to hear the moans of protest by the Gannets - quite comical. http://youtu.be/HeinrJi70wo Scientists estimate that there are over 98 700 … [Read more...] about Give it up Mr Gannet!
Bird Island Garage
When it comes to government departments it seems as though the mistakes of today are just repetitions of the past. The Bird Island Keepers abandoned home was built with a garage - just how a motor vehicle would be allowed or transported to the island remains a mystery though. The 19 Hectare Bird Island in Algoa Bay, close to Port Elizabeth is home to over 300 000 birds. Bird Island and St. Croix Island in Algoa Bay were proclaimed as part of Addo Elephant National Park in 2005. A Marine … [Read more...] about Bird Island Garage
Friday Rant – Sea Faring Litterbugs
On a recent overnight trip to Bird Island I was pleased to discover that officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs rate Bird Island as the cleanest island along the South African coastline. No, this is not because people litter less in Algoa Bay, but because the custodians of the Bird Island Marine Protected Area - the Addo Elephant National Park do twice daily sweeps of the island's perimeter to pick up any flotsam and jetsam that washes up. Next time you toss something … [Read more...] about Friday Rant – Sea Faring Litterbugs
Plans to add 120 000ha to the current 7 00ha Bird Island Marine Protected Area
The Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), the custodians of the Bird Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) off Algoa Bay, recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of the area. The Bird Island MPA was officially proclaimed by former Minister of Environmental Affairs, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, in the Government Gazette on 4 June 2004. The news cemented the Park's eastern boundary in Algoa Bay and also gave AENP the status of being the only national park in the world to be able to … [Read more...] about Plans to add 120 000ha to the current 7 00ha Bird Island Marine Protected Area
Bird Island Approaches
On Wednesday 22 January 2014 the Longhair and I contributed (in a very small way, mind you) to the ongoing well being of the birdlife on Bird Island by hithching a ride with Adrian James (he of NSRI fame) on the Blue Pearl (owned by Morven Maclean of all round nice guy fame). Our mission was to ferry 2 pax: an NMMU Honours student and an NMMU PHD student for a seven day stint on the island - it is hell in Africa but these two have chosen to do it! We left just after 7:00 am and were back … [Read more...] about Bird Island Approaches
Malgas raking in the silver
A 00:05 start gun on Saturday morning 18 January 2014 heralded the start for an enthusiatic and determined 8 boat fleet as they set off for the ABYC's annual Great Circle Race which saw them sail from within the Port Elizabeth Harbour around Bird Island and back. Tony and Ziggy Bailes on Malgas - a 34 foot L34 - have certainly thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the Algoa Bay Yacht Club fleet over the course of the 2013/14 sailing season, by winning or placing high in every race. By … [Read more...] about Malgas raking in the silver
7 saved from sinking PE based yacht
Keryn van der Walt, NSRI Port Alfred duty coxswain, said; "At 07h38 on Thursday 3 October, NSRI Port Alfred volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of the yacht HLANGANA taking water and sinking with 7 crew onboard 4 nautical miles West of Boknes, in the Eastern Cape. "The yacht was being taken to Port Alfred, from Port Elizabeth, for routine repair when, reportedly, she ran into rocks on North reef of Bird Island at around 06h30 this morning. "The crew had, after … [Read more...] about 7 saved from sinking PE based yacht
Rescued seal pups swim for their lives
During a very powerful gale in February 2013, many Cape fur seal pups of 6 to 8 weeks old were washed off Black rocks, one of the 5 islands of the Bird Island archipelago in Algoa Bay. Pups this young cannot swim properly but fortunately a number of them managed to reach the beaches along the south east coast; amazingly, one was found over 200 kilometres away at a coastal village near East London. Alert members of the public spotted them and reported their whereabouts, leading to a rescue … [Read more...] about Rescued seal pups swim for their lives
NSRI responding to yacht adrift in Danger of drifting onto Bird Island
NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew are responding to catch a 36 foot yacht being blown further out to sea, with 4 men onboard, after the yachts steering is reported to have sustained mechanical failure. The yacht, sailing from Richard's Bay to Port Elizabeth, alerted NSRI this morning to say that their steering has failed and in strong winds they are being blown off-shore and are currently 2 nautical miles South of Bird Island, about 38 nautical miles from Port … [Read more...] about NSRI responding to yacht adrift in Danger of drifting onto Bird Island
6 men rescued near Bird Island
At 03h30 NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request from assistance from 6 men on a rigid inflatable rubber duck reporting to have engine failure near Bird Island. NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched two sea rescue craft, Spirit of Toft and Eikos Rescuer IV, and responded to the scene arriving on-scene just after 05h00 in 3 foot swells and generally calm sea conditions and the 6 men were taken onboard our sea rescue craft and … [Read more...] about 6 men rescued near Bird Island
