Ascension : Ascension Island Conservation Department
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 10.09.2009 (Article Archived on 24.09.2009)

Conservation News...

Every Tuesday morning throughout August the Ascension Explorers have been out and about visiting different locations around the Island. The excursions provide them with the opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of Ascension and take part in some of our current Conservation activities. It has been a pleasure to take the Explorers out every week and teach them more about the natural environment of Ascension. They have really enjoyed the trips have shown a lot of enthusiasm to learn more about the Island. The Conservation Department would like to thank Catherine Hiorns for all the hard work she has put into organising the events each week and making the programme a huge success. We look forward to working with her again next year. 

Volunteers welcome. Please contact Stedson Stroud, Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email:  stedson.stroud@ascension.gov.ac

Sooty Turns return to Mars Bay and Waterside

The sooty turns (Sterna fuscata) are by far the most numerous breeding bird species on Ascension. The birds are found nesting in the south-west of the Island and at times there can be more than 200,000 sooty turns present. Since the eradication of the feral cats from the Island the time interval between nesting periods is becoming shorter and the areas colonised are expanding. There are still small colonies coming into nest and chicks are now appearing in the first areas that were colonised. Out at Waterside, there are a lot of sooty turns with newly-hatched chicks and still large numbers sitting on eggs.

Humpback Whales return to Ascension

Over the last month there have been regular sightings of two Humpback waters in fairly shallow waters around the Island. The whales visit each year, usually during late winter and early spring, to give birth to their calves and mate. Whales may come to Ascension as far away as the Falkland Islands or Antarctica. The whales usually stay for a couple of months and then return to deeper waters with their calves. The whales are easy to spot, with their distinctive tails rising out of the water when the animals dive.