Rachel Bristol (Project Officer under the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher project) visited Denis last week to catch up on the Flycatcher population there and their status. On her return she was able to report some excellent progress including the commencement of breeding activities for the new season and some early successes, Rachel Continues below:
“After a few months break the flycatchers on Denis have started breeding in force again. Flycatchers can breed year–round but there is a marked peak in breeding during the North-West or rainy season from November- April. However, the dry South-East season this year has been considerably wetter than usual which likely explains the early start to the breeding season.
I was on Denis last week and of 8 potentially breeding pairs six of them are currently active. We have 2 new fledglings that fledged two weeks ago and yesterday (19 October 09) respectively, a nestling just hatched yesterday and 2 further pairs are nest building. A 6th pair has a dependant juvenile that fledged in August.
Now almost 11 months since the Conservation Introduction of 23 flycatchers to Denis we are beginning to get an idea of how successful the introduction will be. The current population is 24 individuals; we have lost 4 of the original introduced stock but have had 5 chicks fledge on Denis. After a shaky start where the majority of nesting attempts were failing (due to a combination of eggs failing to hatch and de-predation of both eggs and nestlings- [ed: most likely by Mynah Birds a problem which still requires redress]) the flycatchers appear to be “getting it together” and successfully breeding on Denis- the key to establishment of a self-sustaining population.”
This really is fantastic news – the Flycatcher transfer to Denis in November of last year was the first ever transfer of this critically endangered species and constitutes a key step in securing the future of this beautiful and iconic endemic species.
This success is largely down to the tireless efforts of Rachel over the previous three years. Rachel is currently working to complete her PhD thesis on the species and we wish her all the best in her ongoing endeavours.
While she was on Denis Rachel took the opportunity to measure and ring a flycatcher nestling and has kindly sent us some great photos of the young bird see photos in sidebar.
The Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher Project is a multi-partner undertaking funded by the Darwin Initiative and supported by partners including Nature Seychelles, the University of Kent, the La Digue Development Board, Denis Island and the DoE.
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2 comments:
Thank you for keeping us posted on environmental progress on Denis Island. I would like to reassure prospective visitors (and the hotel’s marketing section). We have been regular visitors to the island, which is our favourite vacation spot. It certainly would not be the case if there were creepy-crawlies all over the place : the skinks, geckos and crabs may look awesome in close-up pictures but they are not repulsive and the little creatures actually scamper away when they sense movement. We love the island’s pristine waters and its wildlife (nothing to be afraid of), the occasional visits of big friendly tortoises to our cottage, the song of warblers in nearby trees and the sight of blue pigeons pecking the white scaevola berries in the afternoon, among other things. Expect to see us again next May.
Best regards. MDV (Toulouse, France)
Nice info. Seychelles Island is a worth visiting place. Here 115 islands are worth calling as ”Paradise on earth”. There are many islands who are unfazed by the modernization. Here harmless people are ensconced with their own culture and traditions.
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