I have fantastic news to report! I received a call from Rachel Bristol, the Flycatcher Project Officer, yesterday confirming that we now have our first fledgling Flycatcher on Denis!!! This represents a major breakthrough – it is after all the first Paradise flycatcher to fledge from a translocated population and the first real sign that we are making progress with the species and its long term conservation[1].
It also comes as a significant relief as some dozen previous attempts had proven unsuccessful. Some failures were due to infertile eggs but several chicks have also been lost to unidentified causes though we strongly suspect our old enemy the Mynah bird!
The problem is without constant observation of the nest it is very difficult to ascertain a specific cause of a breeding failure. A few years ago when I was in Government employ we monitored Seychelles white-eye nests to assess causes of breeding failure using special cameras. Rachel and I have discussed this option and she will be seeking funding to try and finance a couple of cameras so that we can get a better understanding of the factors involved. In the meantime however the Mynah remains suspect number 1 and we mean to address the problem ASAP.
The chick that has fledged is from one of the nests filmed by SBC during their visit last month (See post of April 3rd). This chick hatched on Monday the 30th of March (See post of April 9th) and was expected to fledge on the 13th or 14th of April.
When I visited Denis last week however, I spent about 30 minutes in the territory and found no evidence of a chick and feared the worst. Rachel came up the next day and also could not find a chick plus she also observed two adults nest-building nearby giving a strong indication that the previous breeding attempt had failed. So I left the island on Saturday disappointed and believing that we had lost another chick. Thankfully however Rachel has subsequently observed the fledgling being tended to by its mother – the new nest being built actually belonging to another pair in an adjacent territory!
So great news… and hopefully just the first fledgling of many, though we are now approaching the end of the breeding season, we can look forward to next season with much more hope.
I don’t have any photos of the fledgling yet but hope that Rachel or Catherina may be able to get some… keep checking back for updates on our the first Denis island Paradise flycatcher!!!
[1] This transfer of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher was been a collaborative effort. Approval was granted by the La Digue Development Board. Donor funding was received from the UK Darwin Initiative. The overall project leader is Dr Jim Groombridge. Project partners include: Nature Seychelles, the Seychelles Department of Environment, the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Environment, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife Vets International, RARE UK and the University of Kent.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Seychelles Magpie Robins – the next generation.
During my last two visits to Denis I have had the opportunity to follow up on the status of some our sub-adult magpie-robins. As reported previously we have faced some problems with SMR breeding attempts. Mynah birds have caused real problems – destroying nests and taking/attacking chicks – whilst we have also now had two chicks born with leg abnormalities which have lead to their demise.
There have also been successes however – in particular the two juveniles that Catherina has raised by hand. Catherina’s “babies” named Charlie and Spencer are both well able to fend for themselves and appear to be prospering. They have not forgotten their adoptive mother however and frequently turn up at her place begging for food! During my previous visit I was walking with Catherina towards her place when both birds approached her on the path and began begging. It was amazing to watch as they followed her to her house and then apparently accepting each other’s presence began feasting on the bowl of insects and grated boiled egg she provided them (see photos in sidebar).
I also during that visit encountered the juvenile in territory 1 it very obligingly posed in a nearby bush for photos and the brown barring on its white wing patch which identifies it as a sub-adult is clearly visible (see photo in sidebar).
This last weekend I visited the island again and encountered the territory 1 juvenile and its parents on several occasions. They were notable because the behaviour of the birds was unusual. I first noticed them as I walked from the airport, having just arrived, to the main hotel building. The juvenile was perched amongst some giant tortoises in the tortoise park this is quite normal as SMRs have learnt that the large reptiles disturb the ground where they pass often revealing insects which the birds eat. What was unusual was the constant “churring” call that the adult was making. This call is typically a sign of aggression or stress in the bird. Over the next two days I repeatedly heard churring coming from this territory and then on Saturday morning I observed both adults in pursuit of their offspring! It turns out that the adults are now undertaking another breeding attempt and clearly have decided that one juvenile in the territory is enough!
This behaviour is in fact normal for Magpie-robins but can of course put the ousted sub-adult under a lot of stress – so we will monitor this sub-adult (ringed orange/orange). If it establishes a small sub-territory adjacent to its natal area we will set up an additional supplementary feed station to cater for its needs.
Keep checking back for updates…
There have also been successes however – in particular the two juveniles that Catherina has raised by hand. Catherina’s “babies” named Charlie and Spencer are both well able to fend for themselves and appear to be prospering. They have not forgotten their adoptive mother however and frequently turn up at her place begging for food! During my previous visit I was walking with Catherina towards her place when both birds approached her on the path and began begging. It was amazing to watch as they followed her to her house and then apparently accepting each other’s presence began feasting on the bowl of insects and grated boiled egg she provided them (see photos in sidebar).
I also during that visit encountered the juvenile in territory 1 it very obligingly posed in a nearby bush for photos and the brown barring on its white wing patch which identifies it as a sub-adult is clearly visible (see photo in sidebar).
This last weekend I visited the island again and encountered the territory 1 juvenile and its parents on several occasions. They were notable because the behaviour of the birds was unusual. I first noticed them as I walked from the airport, having just arrived, to the main hotel building. The juvenile was perched amongst some giant tortoises in the tortoise park this is quite normal as SMRs have learnt that the large reptiles disturb the ground where they pass often revealing insects which the birds eat. What was unusual was the constant “churring” call that the adult was making. This call is typically a sign of aggression or stress in the bird. Over the next two days I repeatedly heard churring coming from this territory and then on Saturday morning I observed both adults in pursuit of their offspring! It turns out that the adults are now undertaking another breeding attempt and clearly have decided that one juvenile in the territory is enough!
This behaviour is in fact normal for Magpie-robins but can of course put the ousted sub-adult under a lot of stress – so we will monitor this sub-adult (ringed orange/orange). If it establishes a small sub-territory adjacent to its natal area we will set up an additional supplementary feed station to cater for its needs.
Keep checking back for updates…
Infrastructure and Land Use
Flying out of Denis the other week I was able to take a few aerial photos of the island as we banked away – whilst not the best due to the slightly fogged windows of the plane they are however sufficient to give an impression of the layout of infrastructure on the island. It is therefore opportune to give readers an overview of the island’s Land Use Plan (LUP).
The Environmental Management Plan for Denis (2008-2012) is based upon LUP which sets out five categories of land usage listed and set out in the photo graphics below:
The graphics below show the land zonations and also the main areas of infrastructure of human activity (simply click on the photos below to enlarge). The photos in the sidebar can be used to better interpret the second graphic below.
The LUP is the foundation upon which other aspects of the EMP (such as Biodiversity plan and ecotourism plan) are logically built.
The Environmental Management Plan for Denis (2008-2012) is based upon LUP which sets out five categories of land usage listed and set out in the photo graphics below:
Zone A: Primary Production Area: designated for intensive human activity, infrastructure placement and production landscapes.
Zone B: Secondary Production Area: designated primarily for production landscapes and low-density tourism/residential infrastructure.
Zone C: Conservation Management Area: designated primarily for management to attain conservation/biodiversity objectives.
Zone D: Ecosystem Restoration Area: area designated for restoration to island’s natural state. All other activities are subordinated to that end.
Coastal Zone: Land within 25m of high water mark – designated for management to optimise natural vegetation cover, structure and function for specific defined ends depending on locality – no permanent infrastructure.
The graphics below show the land zonations and also the main areas of infrastructure of human activity (simply click on the photos below to enlarge). The photos in the sidebar can be used to better interpret the second graphic below.
The LUP is the foundation upon which other aspects of the EMP (such as Biodiversity plan and ecotourism plan) are logically built.
Key:
Yellow: Staff accommodation & related infrastructure.
Blue: Workshops, generator house & fuel storage.
Pink: Livestock areas.
Dark Green: Vegetatble and fruit production.
Light Green: Hotel complex and guest villas.
Brown: Incinerator and solid waste sorting area.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Observations on the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher…
The Paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The first ever translocation of this species was undertaken to Denis in November 2008 when 23 birds were released on the island over a period of two days.
In my previous post (Friday April 3rd) I recorded that SBC had come to Denis to do a film and radio shows on the Flycatcher introduction project. During their visit they were able to film two nests with birds incubating eggs and whilst I was with them I took the opportunity to take some photos and make some observations. We can not venture close to the nest so I was at the maximum zoom and digital enhancement the camera could offer. This coupled with heavy shade in this area means my photos are not the best they are sufficient however to highlight the observations.
Nest Structure:
The two nests showed an interesting variation in design. The first was constructed on the fine end of a down-hanging branch of a young Takamaka tree and looked rather precarious, the nest secured in position by being interwoven with a couple of leaf stems. The second was in the fork of a young sapling-like “upshoot” from an otherwise fallen Indian almond tree; but it looked all together more solid, being secured to the three woody stems of the fork.
The nests were also notable for their adornment with white materials. One appeared to have small pieces of white cotton, presumably plucked direct from the wild plants that still grow on the island. The second, meanwhile, was clearly festooned with white feathers. Rachel Bristol advised me that the birds in the source colony on La Digue also typically decorate the exterior of their nests with white materials. The only reason I can think of for this (and this is pure speculation) is that it may serve to break up the outline of the nest in the dappled light that typically penetrates through canopy making it harder for potential predators to discern.
Incubation, Nest Guarding and Chick Feeding:
During the SBC filming on that Saturday evening and Sunday morning we observed the the females incubating and then the male guarding the nest from a nearby perch when the female left it periodically. On the Monday morning however I returned to the nests and noted in one that the male tended to the nest directly including sitting in it. As I watched I realised that the male was in fact bringing insects to the nest meaning that the egg must have hatched in the last 24 hours. Over the next 20-30 minutes I also observed the female bring insects confirming the hatching.
In my previous post (Friday April 3rd) I recorded that SBC had come to Denis to do a film and radio shows on the Flycatcher introduction project. During their visit they were able to film two nests with birds incubating eggs and whilst I was with them I took the opportunity to take some photos and make some observations. We can not venture close to the nest so I was at the maximum zoom and digital enhancement the camera could offer. This coupled with heavy shade in this area means my photos are not the best they are sufficient however to highlight the observations.
Nest Structure:
The two nests showed an interesting variation in design. The first was constructed on the fine end of a down-hanging branch of a young Takamaka tree and looked rather precarious, the nest secured in position by being interwoven with a couple of leaf stems. The second was in the fork of a young sapling-like “upshoot” from an otherwise fallen Indian almond tree; but it looked all together more solid, being secured to the three woody stems of the fork.
The nests were also notable for their adornment with white materials. One appeared to have small pieces of white cotton, presumably plucked direct from the wild plants that still grow on the island. The second, meanwhile, was clearly festooned with white feathers. Rachel Bristol advised me that the birds in the source colony on La Digue also typically decorate the exterior of their nests with white materials. The only reason I can think of for this (and this is pure speculation) is that it may serve to break up the outline of the nest in the dappled light that typically penetrates through canopy making it harder for potential predators to discern.
Incubation, Nest Guarding and Chick Feeding:
During the SBC filming on that Saturday evening and Sunday morning we observed the the females incubating and then the male guarding the nest from a nearby perch when the female left it periodically. On the Monday morning however I returned to the nests and noted in one that the male tended to the nest directly including sitting in it. As I watched I realised that the male was in fact bringing insects to the nest meaning that the egg must have hatched in the last 24 hours. Over the next 20-30 minutes I also observed the female bring insects confirming the hatching.
Whiskers on Flycatchers:
On examining my photos a few days later what struck me was the prominent “whiskers” displayed by both male and female birds. The Flycatcher feeds predominantly by “hawking” i.e. the taking of insects on the wing. This requires high precision and fine last-second adjustments as obviously the prey will attempt to avoid being taken if they possibly can. I can only imagine that the whiskers enable the final adjustments through tactile stimulation to catch prey when they are perhaps too close to be properly seen.
On examining my photos a few days later what struck me was the prominent “whiskers” displayed by both male and female birds. The Flycatcher feeds predominantly by “hawking” i.e. the taking of insects on the wing. This requires high precision and fine last-second adjustments as obviously the prey will attempt to avoid being taken if they possibly can. I can only imagine that the whiskers enable the final adjustments through tactile stimulation to catch prey when they are perhaps too close to be properly seen.
Click images to enlarge. i). Male at nest. ii). Female bringing insect to the nest. iii). Whiskers evident on the female and (iv). male.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation visit Denis Island.
Last weekend Denis played host to a team from both SBC TV and radio. The primary reason for their visit was to record programmes about the introduction of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina). 23 Flycatchers were transferred from La Digue to Denis in November of last year in the first ever transfer of this critically endangered species (see posts of 5th and 16th January for more information)[1]. Prior to the transfer the only breeding population of the bird was restricted to the island of La Digue where its habitat is coming under increasing development pressure. It is very important to establish additional breeding populations of the species on other islands so as to reduce the risk from stochastic events such as storm, fire or disease that a single population in a restricted area is prone to.
To assist with the coverage I asked Rachel Bristol the Project Officer responsible for the flycatcher transfer to also visit the island so she could give the necessary interviews. Filming and recording went very well with the cameramen getting really good footage of females on two separate nests and a male in close attendance in one territory.
In addition to covering the flycatcher project, film and interviews were also taken on the progress of the Magpie-robin project, the woodland conservation project and more generally about the natural history of the island – including footage of bee-eaters perched along and flying over the runway.
The SBC crew also visited the new “Belle Etoile” Villas, filmed them and interviewed the Hotel Resident Manager Mr. Paul Horner about this new initiative for the national tourism programme “Check-in”.
The natural history filming was for the national environmental TV series “Karnen Lannatir” whilst the radio recordings were for the weekly radio show “Nature Watch”. Whilst drafting this post I have just spoken to Lucille Adrienne who produces the radio show and she advised me that she has sufficient recording for 3 and possibly 4 fifteen minute spots – including good recordings of the song of the Flycatcher and the bee-eaters so that should make for an interesting listen. The programmes will go out on SBC MW as of next week at Thursday 11:30 hrs and repeated Friday 17:15 hrs.
This latest media coverage is another plus for GIF’s Public relations and outreach programme that seeks to raise awareness of the achievements of the ongoing work on Denis Island. Our sincere thanks go to: the SBC crew Mr. Jerome Dogley, Mme. Lucille Adrienne, Mr. Claude Vidot and Mr. Guilmer Philoe for their interest in the environmental work on Denis Island; and Mme. Lena Desaubin from the Department of Environment for facilitating arrangements.
[1] The transfer of Flycatchers to Denis was: enabled by the agreement and cooperation of the La Digue Development Board, and the partnership and support of UK Darwin Initiative, Nature Seychelles, the Seychelles Department of Environment, the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Environment, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife Vets International, RARE UK and the University of Kent.
To assist with the coverage I asked Rachel Bristol the Project Officer responsible for the flycatcher transfer to also visit the island so she could give the necessary interviews. Filming and recording went very well with the cameramen getting really good footage of females on two separate nests and a male in close attendance in one territory.
In addition to covering the flycatcher project, film and interviews were also taken on the progress of the Magpie-robin project, the woodland conservation project and more generally about the natural history of the island – including footage of bee-eaters perched along and flying over the runway.
The SBC crew also visited the new “Belle Etoile” Villas, filmed them and interviewed the Hotel Resident Manager Mr. Paul Horner about this new initiative for the national tourism programme “Check-in”.
The natural history filming was for the national environmental TV series “Karnen Lannatir” whilst the radio recordings were for the weekly radio show “Nature Watch”. Whilst drafting this post I have just spoken to Lucille Adrienne who produces the radio show and she advised me that she has sufficient recording for 3 and possibly 4 fifteen minute spots – including good recordings of the song of the Flycatcher and the bee-eaters so that should make for an interesting listen. The programmes will go out on SBC MW as of next week at Thursday 11:30 hrs and repeated Friday 17:15 hrs.
This latest media coverage is another plus for GIF’s Public relations and outreach programme that seeks to raise awareness of the achievements of the ongoing work on Denis Island. Our sincere thanks go to: the SBC crew Mr. Jerome Dogley, Mme. Lucille Adrienne, Mr. Claude Vidot and Mr. Guilmer Philoe for their interest in the environmental work on Denis Island; and Mme. Lena Desaubin from the Department of Environment for facilitating arrangements.
[1] The transfer of Flycatchers to Denis was: enabled by the agreement and cooperation of the La Digue Development Board, and the partnership and support of UK Darwin Initiative, Nature Seychelles, the Seychelles Department of Environment, the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Environment, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife Vets International, RARE UK and the University of Kent.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Nature Notes 2
Just back from a weekend visit to Denis, much of the time was spent with an SBC film and radio crew so more good media coverage which I will post about later.
It’s been awhile since I was on the island so there is a lot to report, other work commitments permitting I hope to have several posts up for readers over the next few days. I’ll start off with a few notes on various natural history observations:
- Fody Feeding Frenzy – there is a palm tree at the entrance to the hotel which is in flower and causing great activity amongst Madagascar fodies. The inflorescence was teaming constantly for 2 days with squabbling fodies. Despite watching quite closely I am still not sure upon what exactly the birds were feeding. They appeared to be particularly interested in the flowers, perhaps taking pollen/nectar but also perhaps feeding on insects drawn to the flowers. Their attention was however not restricted to the flowers perhaps feeding on insects or young parts of buds elsewhere on the inflorescence. Regardless they were numerous, combative and very vocal… so there must have been something good there!
- More Mynahs!!! – I am reluctant to mention mynahs again having posted extensively on them recently (see post of March 17th) but I got the distinct impression that their numbers are on the increase particularly around the hotel. I also encountered our king Mynah (Lerwa marten) again in its usual locale at Belle Etoile and though he continues to be shy I got a better photo of him (see sidebar) though it was at long distance.
- Grey Heron - the bird I first reported on February 15th is still on the island (might it perhaps be taking up permanent residence?) and it continues to be wary. I saw it at Belle Etoile and I was able to take a few long distance photos; but when I tried to be clever and maneuver myself closer by using some thick vegetation for cover it knew exactly where I was. So having belly-crawled to my near perfect vantage point and just brought the camera up to my eye the heron took flight north… clearly still smarter than this observer!
- Bee-eaters still with us… - interestingly some blue-cheeked bee-eaters (Merops persicus) are still with us. Having arrived in large numbers in November of last year a few have remained ever since. It’s hard to tell how many remain on the island. I saw 6 together “hawking” over the runway in the afternoon but also encountered individuals around the hotel and along the southeast coast. I would guess there are approximately 10-12 on the island.
- Crested terns – these beautiful birds are still to be encountered at Pte Mme Guichard or the offshore rocks on the southern point but there appear to be only six at the moment.
- A new restaurant visitor – finally in my post of February 23rd I talked about the nature and different rare species that guests could see, simply while taking breakfast on the Restaurant verandah. Well we can now add magpie-robin to the list. On Sunday morning I watched a magpie robin fly into the restaurant perch on a table and begin to sing! It then spent the next 30 minutes or so in and around the area. It is a single male that has taken up residence around the main hotel building apparently establishing a close relationship with the gardening staff following them closely when they rake in the morning and feasting on the insects there work exposes!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Denis Island contributes to knowledge on migratory birds…
Over the preceding few months I have periodically posted on our observations of migratory birds. Denis’ position on the north of the Mahe plateau makes it a very interesting location for migratory birds as for many it may represent their first landfall in some 1000 miles of flying over the Indian Ocean! This strategic position makes the island a magnet for exhausted or storm blown birds. Despite this bird records from Denis are rather sparse simply because there have rarely been ornithologists on the island for any extended period. Over the last year or so however the combined activities of various researchers visiting for different projects, the presence of Catherina, my periodic visits and the interest of an island resident have allowed us to start building up a generalised picture of what birds are visiting the island or actually overwintering on the island.
We are not yet undertaking any standardised monitoring as we lack sufficient personnel to do this, so observations are purely ad-hoc or opportunistic nevertheless they are not without value. The Seychelles Bird Record Committee (SBRC – you can connect to their site via the link in the sidebar of this blog) is the agency that compiles records of birds in the archipelago as per the objectives bulleted below:
We are not yet undertaking any standardised monitoring as we lack sufficient personnel to do this, so observations are purely ad-hoc or opportunistic nevertheless they are not without value. The Seychelles Bird Record Committee (SBRC – you can connect to their site via the link in the sidebar of this blog) is the agency that compiles records of birds in the archipelago as per the objectives bulleted below:
- To collect information and records relating to the status of all birds observed from the islands of Seychelles and their surrounding ocean (EEZ).
- To assess reports of all birds considered to be of less than annual occurrence within the Seychelles EEZ and to permanently maintain the original bird record submissions made by observers together with all Committee comments and votes.
- To publish summary details of all accepted records, encourage publication by observers of first records for Seychelles and to maintain a national list of bird recorded in Seychelles EEZ.
- To provide all persons or bodies interested in the study of birds in Seychelles with scientific data pertaining to bird sighting records.
- To increase awareness of and interest in the birds of Seychelles both nationally and internationally.
I liaise periodically with Adrian Skerrett of the SBRC regarding sightings on Denis and on occasion he may request that the observer(s) submit a record sheet if the sighting is of a species that is not considered an annual migrant to the archipelago. The record sheet is then assessed by the SBRC which if it deems there is sufficient evidence to substantiate correct species identification will accept and publish the record. In this vein I have received notice from Adrian that the following recent sightings from Denis have been accepted by the SBRC:
- Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) – One immature bird sighted at Belle Etoile, Denis Island on the 3rd October (by Catherina Onezia). This is the 35th record for Seychelles.
- Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) – One adult male at the pig farm, Denis Island 25-27 November 2008 (by France Hoareau and John Nevill). This is the 4th record for Seychelles.
- Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo) – At least one and up to three at the airstrip and over the coast 24-27 November (by Mickey Mason, Catherina Onezia and John Nevill). This is the 20th record for Seychelles, all from late October to early January.
- Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) – One adult male, probably race beema at the pig farm, Denis Island on 9 December 2008 (by John Nevill and Anne-Marie McDevitt). This is the 29th record for Seychelles, reports spread fairly evenly through the months of October to May.
Of course to get a record accepted it is a great help to have photographic evidence! Thanks to the wonders of modern digital photography this is becoming increasingly possible – see sidebar for photos of the species in question.
The records of the major influx of Amur Falcons (Falco amurensis) to Denis in November of last year have also contributed (amongst many others) to the species now being recognised as an annual migrant to the archipelago. There is an interesting summary of records, pertaining to the mass influx last November, from all over the archipelago to be found on the SBRC website. Simply click on the link below to go direct to the summary:
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