This article was written by Christine Wessels for the Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s blog.
On Wednesday, December 4th, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, powered by Marine Dynamics, undertook an extraordinary six-hour, 180-kilometer expedition to release a Rockhopper penguin back into the Agulhas Current.
Earlier this year, the penguin had stranded on our shores, underweight and bearing a few wounds. It was admitted to the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) for treatment, rest, and recovery. After weeks of dedicated care, the Rockhopper, healed completely, underwent a successful molt, and emerged with a pristine set of feathers. Following comprehensive health checks by APSS veterinarian Dr. Annamarie Robberts, Rocky was cleared for release and ready to return to the vast ocean.
The Agulhas Current, flowing south-westward along South Africa’s east and south coasts, acts as a natural conveyor belt. The warm fast flowing waters offered Rocky a swift and smooth path on the long journey home.
The journey wasn’t just about releasing Rocky—it also provided a rare opportunity to observe some of the ocean’s most remarkable pelagic bird species up close.
Here’s what graced our birdwatching list for the day:
Cape Gannet: These stunning Southern African endemics, with their white bodies, yellow-tinged heads, and black wingtips, never fail to delight.
European Storm Petrel: A diminutive 20-gram marvel, these birds breed on rocky northern European islands and winter in the South Atlantic. They’re recognized by their fluttery flight near the water’s surface and distinctive snow-white rumps
Great Shearwater: With its brown upper plumage, white underparts, and vast Atlantic range, this seabird breeds on remote islands like Gough and Tristan da Cunha—2,600 kilometers from Gansbaai.
Manx Shearwater: A smaller, darker cousin of the Great Shearwater, this bird’s “shearing” flight style involves skimming waves with minimal wingbeats.
Cory’s Shearwater: A summer migrant with brownish-grey upper parts and a yellowish bill, Cory’s Shearwater breeds on islands like Madeira and the Azores before dispersing across the Atlantic.
Sooty Shearwater: Recognized by its chocolate-brown plumage and slender wings, this species undertakes a circular migration, covering vast distances annually.
Subantarctic Skua: A robust predator spotted near a longliner.
Arctic Skua: A seasonal visitor from the Arctic tundra, these notorious “pirates of the sea” are infamous for stealing fish mid-air from other birds.
White-chinned Petrel: Common in the area, this large petrel is easily identified by its ivory-colored bill and the tiny white patch under its chin.
A Trio of Albatrosses
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly spotting three species of majestic albatrosses:
Shy Albatross: Distinguished by its pale underwings edged in black, this species breeds near Tasmania and New Zealand but frequents South African waters during winter.
For me, this was my first venture into the open ocean. I saw the inky purple-blue hues marking the edge of nowhere, where the seabed plunges from 400 meters to a staggering 1,500 meters. I felt the touch of the warm Agulhas current. These are moments that will be with me forever.
Seeing towering container ships traverse this blue highway and encountering longliners along the route was a sobering reminder of our responsibility to conserve this incredible seascape.
A heartfelt thanks to Marine Biologist and bird enthusiast Sandra Horbst for her invaluable expertise in identifying and sharing insights- and pictures, about the incredible pelagic birds we encountered. After three years at Marine Dynamics, I can finally distinguish between a gull and an albatross—success! Thank you, Sandra.
