Magpie Robin News 2

Catherina, the GIF Environmental Officer on Denis, has got back to me with more information on the status of the newly-introduced Seychelles Magpie Robin (SMR) population on Denis. Firstly Catherina reports that all 19 birds appear to be in good condition and adapting well to their new home. As reported on the 30th July (Bird Bulletin 2) Catherina had identified two territories that had commenced nest building activities, well that is now the case in 4 territories (see map 2):

Territory 1: the nest has been constructed in a natural cavity in a Casuarina tree.
Territory 2: the nest has been constructed in a dead Casuarina.
Territory 3: the nest has been built in the crown of a coconut tree.
Territory 4: the exact position of the nest has yet to be identified but the birds activities indicate that a nest is under construction.

Interestingly all the nests are utilising natural locations rather than the numerous nest boxes that have been put up in each established territory which shows that sufficient nesting sites are available in the woodland habitat.

Nesting activities, of course, form part of breeding behaviour and close observation of the birds’ activities will, over time, indicate whether egg incubation or later chick feeding has commenced. However in the case of territory 3 I can be more specific, as Catherina has been able to position herself so as to observe the interior of the nest and is able to confirm that there is an egg in the nest as of the 4th of August!!!

Now of course, we mustn’t count our robins before they hatch! In recent years SMRs have laid a significant number of sterile eggs – some have postulated that this may be related to in-breeding depression though we cannot, at this stage, quantify this and many would argue that through a process of evolutionary selection small island bird populations are not prone to such factors. So firstly we do not know if the egg is viable. Secondly, the development of young birds (egg through fledgling) is fraught with dangers – including possible predation (see bird bulletin 2, 30th July). So we must be cautious and not be overly disappointed or discouraged if we don’t soon see chicks. However what is undoubtedly true is that the SMRs have adapted very rapidly and well to their new home on Denis Island and have clearly found it to their liking. Remembering that the birds were only transferred to Denis on the 25th June (see post of Friday July 4th) and were only released from their aviaries during the period 13th to the 18th July (see post of Sunday July 20th) ; to have nests and at least one egg in the first week of August is very encouraging indeed. Long may it continue!

Check back regularly for more news on SMR progress.