The Cape’s amazing seabird abundance and diversity is the product of the Benguela current that originates in the icy waters of Antarctica. Surging up the west coast of southern Africa, the nutrient-rich waters cause upwelling along the continental shelf, nurturing a profusion of ocean life that supports both a lively fishing industry and vast numbers of seabirds. Pelagic species – those which breed on land but otherwise remain at sea – congregate around the trawlers, making them easy to locate and approach. The high point of a pelagic birding trip is sure to be that of wallowing behind a trawler with up to 5 000 birds squabbling for scraps in its wake.

Most trips leave at dawn from Simon’s Town harbour, on the southern Peninsula, and head south past the towering cliffs of Cape Point, a fine sight as the sun comes up over False Bay. As you round the tip of the Cape Peninsula, you will quickly feel the rolling Atlantic swells, heightening the anticipation of potential birds to come. The diversity of seabirds is highly seasonal, so consult the monthly table, compiled from over 300 pelagic birding trip lists from the past 10 years. This will help you to decide when best to go in order to maximize the chances of seeing your most-wanted species. Seabird numbers do fluctuate from year to year, and birding in the vicinity of a trawler will make a huge difference to your list.