Introduction
Dyer Island is a 20ha Nature Reserve, situated 12 Km from Kleinbaai harbour in Gaansbaai. It is the easternmost, of the chain of seabird islands of the Western Cape. Dyer Island is managed by CapeNature, primarily for seabirds and shore birds. Some of the birds breeding on the island include the vulnerable African Penguins and endangered Bank Cormorant and Roseate Tern. Other breeding species include the Cape, White-breasted and Crowned Cormorants; Leach's Storm Petrel; African Black Oystercatchers; Kelp and Hartlaub's Gulls

The island is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA), which gives Dyer Island the same status as an IBA anywhere else in the world. There are 1228 IBAs in Africa, and 101 in South Africa. Thus, from a national bird conservation perspective, Dyer Island is one of the hundred most important sites in the country.

The status as an Important Bird Area (IBA) gives Dyer Island the same status as an IBA anywhere else in the world. There are 1228 IBAs in Africa, and 101 in South Africa. Thus, from a national bird conservation perspective, Dyer Island is one of the hundred most important sites in the country.

African Penguins
The African Penguin is endemic to Southern Africa. Numbers of adult penguins have dropped dramatically from 1.5 million adults in 1930s to 160 000 in the 1990s. In the late 1970s, Dyer had the largest colony of African Penguins in the world, about 70 000. By 2000, this figure had dropped to about 3500, making Dyer the 6th largest colony of African Penguins.

Reasons for this decline include egg exploitation, as well as Guano collection which occurred during the 1950s to about 1983. Reduced availability of food, seal predation, chronic oil pollution and emigration to other colonies have also contributed to this decrease.

Currently, the largest colonies of African Penguins are found at Dassen and Robben Islands. Both these islands are situated close to harbours and shipping lanes, where the threat of large oil spills is significant. Protecting penguin colonies elsewhere is therefore crucial.

Need for Penguin Nests:
The collection of Guano modified the nesting habitat for penguins, forcing them to nest on the surface as opposed to burrows. This has lead to an increase in Kelp Gull predation of eggs and chicks. Heat stress also leads to nest abandonment by adults. Recent outbreaks of Avian Cholera have also increased the amount of human disturbance on the island, resulting in more egg predation.

In order to minimize these impacts, a project is currently underway with CapeNature working in partnership with Dyer Island Cruisers. Artificial penguin nests are being made, and placed on the island in 'colonies'. 30 nests have already been placed, and these are being monitored by CapeNature staff. Hundreds more are still required however. The nests currently cost about R300.00. A trust is being set up where individuals or corporate sponsors can donate money or sponsor nests or colonies. All sponsors will be awarded a certificate and their names placed on an information board in Kleinbaai Harbour.

For more information, contact Dyer Island Cruises at Tel: (028) 3840406 (office) or CapeNature at (028) 314 0062