Opening the aviaries.

Following the transfer of 20 Seychelles magpie robins (SMRs) on the 25th of June, the birds have been kept under specialist care in aviaries secreted in the islands broadleaved forest. In general the birds have prospered under their feeding regime and close care. Courting behaviour has even been noted in two aviaries with males singing and birds carrying nesting material!

So having had time to adapt to their new surroundings and recover from the shock of the transfer the time came to start releasing the birds. The birds have been released on a staggered schedule to avoid fighting between pairs that have been staying in separate compartments of the same aviaries.

The first pair was released from aviary 1 early on the afternoon of Sunday 13th. Concern was raised because the birds were quickly drawn to the pair in the adjacent aviary and the pairs initially attempted to fight with each other through the mesh!!! This was broken up by one of the staff approaching the aviary and the free pair moved away. The movements of the liberated pair were closely followed by Catherina and Spencer for the rest of the afternoon. Nirmal Shah CEO of Nature Seychelles, the lead partner in the SMR conservation programme, and John Dale who had been part of the transfer team also flew over to the island on Sunday to observe the releases.

On Monday morning (14th July) four more pairs were released and following displaying between the released pair and those still captive in the second compartment in aviary 2, sheets were used to hide the captive birds from those just released to stop this stressful and potentially negative interaction.

By Tuesday afternoon there was a real change in the ambience of the island as several of the birds had secured perches high-up in the Casuarina trees and their distinctive songs could be heard over extensive portions of the island!

The next batch of birds were released a couple of days later and the final release took place on the 18th July. As I write this I have just received an e-mail from Spencer updating me on their status and advising that four pairs appear to have already established territories – a most encouraging sign!

Post Script:

The transfer of birds, though essential for the long term preservation of the species, is highly stressful for the birds in question and mortalities can be expected. In the past transfers to islands have resulted in complete failure (i.e. total mortality) 3 times – but since then understanding of the species has greatly improved. From a recorded low point of just 12 birds, restricted to Fregate Island, today there is a population of more than 160 birds spread over 5 islands – this progress is as a direct result of the transfer programme.
Sadly, the Denis transfer experienced its first loss during the night of Sunday 13th. The sub-adult female ringed orange/green had been a cause for concern for some time with her weight not improving. Then on Thursday 10th her behaviour/condition was noted to change with the bird now only occupying the lower perches in the aviary though still taking food. On Friday she was kept separately and her food enriched. However by Sunday she was largely sedentary and showed deterioration in the condition of her plumage. Sadly at the 06:00 hrs Monday morning check she was found dead.
Her body has been refrigerated and will go for post mortem to determine whether a disease agent was involved.

In the meantime, however, the project continues and I am happy to report that to date all other birds are in good condition.