Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 18.03.2010 (Article Archived on 01.04.2010)
The Ascension Island Conservation Department, in partnership with the RSPB began a Seabird Restoration Project in 2001.
Ascension Island Conservation Department
The Ascension Island Conservation Department, in partnership with the RSPB began a Seabird Restoration Project in 2001. Feral cats were eradicated from the Island, allowing the seabirds to return to nest on the mainland. The last known feral cat was found in February 2004, since then a feral cat monitoring programme has been taking place. Since the eradication of the feral cats we have noticed that the nesting success rate has improved and we are monitoring more birds in an increasing number of locations.
At the moment out at Letterbox there are many nesting masked boobies, covering Mandella Ridge, Razors edge and towards South East Bay. There are some brown boobies and red billed tropics to be found nesting in the cliffs along the coastal walk from Letterbox towards South East Bay. The seabird restoration fieldworkers are visiting this area every week to record nest locations and monitor their success rate. They have also set up ten nest cameras at different locations around Letterbox, which has given us some good observational viewing of the bird’s behaviour.
Shot from nest camera 3N at Letterbox
Images of rat, mice and sheep activity in the area provide some valuable information about egg predation and nesting failures. Rat poison has been distributed in the area weekly, concentrating on rat hot spots.
Rat tracks at Wig Hill
The sooty terns from Mars Bay and Waterside have flown from the area. They left on 24th December 2009 and have not yet returned.
Lost Radio
Motorola hand held radio has been missing since September 2009. If anyone has seen one please contact the Conservation department. Thank you.
Volunteers welcome. Please contact Olivia Renshaw or Natasha Williams. Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email: olivia.renshaw@ascension.gov.ac
natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac
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