Category: Invasive alien species

Is there a connection between White-tailed Tropicbirds and the popularity of fast food?

December 30, 2019

In my recent blog about our discovery of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters occupying burrows on Mahe, I mentioned that White-tailed Tropicbirds were the only seabird that had survived in numbers as a breeding species on the larger granitic islands of Seychelles. They had survived despite a large and still increasing human population and the commensal predators that … More Is there a connection between White-tailed Tropicbirds and the popularity of fast food?

Another new addition to Seychelles’ fauna – another invasive alien species?

August 12, 2018

On 22 July I was astounded to see a Swallowtail butterfly in a garden at Pointe au Sel. I am familiar with the other large butterflies in Seychelles, the resident Diadem and migrants African Monarch and Painted Lady, but this Swallowtail I had not seen in Seychelles before. My first assumption was that it must … More Another new addition to Seychelles’ fauna – another invasive alien species?

Myna problems on Silhouette Island, Seychelles

July 30, 2018

With an area of just under 20 km2, Silhouette is the third largest of Seychelles’ granitic islands. In terms of biodiversity it is one of the least disturbed islands in the archipelago, its rugged and heavily forested mountains having spared it from significant human occupation. Its fauna and flora encompass a high degree of endemism … More Myna problems on Silhouette Island, Seychelles

Assumption Island – a miserable past, an uncertain future

July 3, 2018

11.6 km2 Assumption Island lies about 1100 km south-west of Mahe, Seychelles’ largest and most populous island, and is close to Aldabra atoll, famed for its relatively undisturbed ecosystem that qualified it for World Heritage Site status. Assumption is a raised coral island and was formerly home to a vast number of seabirds, especially boobies, … More Assumption Island – a miserable past, an uncertain future

Orange omelettes and dusky wanderers

July 7, 2017

After a very long gestation period, my book “Orange omelettes and dusky wanderers” has now been published by Calusa Bay Publications, Seychelles. It describes my experiences in Seychelles from late 1971 to the present. Based around the biology of my beloved Sooty Terns, it also embraces other areas of conservation in Seychelles, illustrating the leading … More Orange omelettes and dusky wanderers

Silence on North Island

May 29, 2017

On 25 May Christine and I, along with Wilna Accouche, who replaced Arjan de Groene as General Manager of the Seychelles NGO Green Islands Foundation (GIF), travelled in heavy seas to North Island. On arrival our belongings were taken to the island’s biosecurity centre, where all incoming goods are inspected in a rodent-proof room (to … More Silence on North Island

The North Island myna eradication – update January 2017

January 3, 2017

Earlier posts have described progress in the myna eradication project on North Island, Seychelles. The eradication has been proceeding well and is approaching its final stages. Green Islands Foundation, who are administering the project, are now advertising for a new volunteer (https://greenislandsfoundation.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page_29.html) to assist with the completion of the eradication. The full advertisement is printed … More The North Island myna eradication – update January 2017

Arjan de Groene, General manager of Green Islands Foundation 2013-2016

November 15, 2016

In November 2013 a whirlwind hit Seychelles. On Denis Island in 2010 I, with the help of volunteers, had made a very promising start to the eradication of Common Mynas to prevent their predation of some of Seychelles’ endemic birds that had been on the verge of extinction. Unfortunately, the project had waned in 2011 … More Arjan de Groene, General manager of Green Islands Foundation 2013-2016