BIRD BULLETIN

I am just back from 5 days spent on Denis to coincide with the release of the first magpie robins. A proper account will be posted in the coming days.
Other notable bird occurrences however, included:
Confirmation of frigate birds roosting on Denis. We have suspected for a couple of years that frigate birds were on occasion roosting on the island in Casuarina trees in the isolated southern reaches of Denis. Frigates can often be seen soaring above the island at very last light and it seemed unlikely that they would then embark on a night-time flight to Aride Island 56 km to the south. Finally over the last weekend some 15-20 birds were observed (by the Estate Manager Camille Hoareau and Mr Mickey Mason) to be roosting in Casuarina trees on the south west coast. I will try and follow up on these sightings in the coming weeks and post more information and hopefully photos in due course.
Flight of Boobies!!! Whilst walking south to the Sooty tern project (see post dated Wednesday July 2nd 2008) on Saturday 12th I heard the distinctive harsh call of boobies and through breaks in the canopy saw at least four heavy set birds flying over head southwards. They were pale on the underside but I was unable to see the colouration on their backs or upper wing services in the fleeting glimpses I gained. However having referred to national bird expert Mr Adrian Skerret it would appear most likely that they were brown boobies or less likely but possibly the red-footed species.