Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 25.03.2010 (Article Archived on 08.04.2010)

Ascension Island Consevation Department - Thank you and farewell to Raymond Benjamin.

Ascension Island Conservation Department

Thank you and farewell to Raymond Benjamin.

Substantial evidence shows that large colonies of seabirds once nested on Ascension mainland. However, the introduction of rats and cats back in the 1800s led to rapid declines in the populations of nesting seabirds. Ten of the eleven native seabird species (excluding the sooty terns) became limited to a few small colonies on cliffs and small offshore stacks.

The Ascension Island Seabird Restoration Project was led by RSPB and the Ascension Island Government Conservation Department and funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The feral cats were preying heavily on seabirds attempting to breed on the mainland. Therefore, the purpose of the cat eradication programme (started in 2002) was to remove cats from the mainland to allow the restoration of seabird numbers. The programme was successful and the last confirmed feral cat was recorded in February 2004. Since then detailed monitoring and recording has taken place of the seabirds returning to nest on the mainland.

Raymond Benjamin joined the Conservation department towards the end of the eradication programme and has been working with the seabirds since then. The RSPB work closely with AIG Conservation staff to ensure monitoring of the seabird return to the mainland continues and is recorded. Raymond has co-authored a paper about this and has contributed a huge amount to this work on Ascension. We are now very fortunate to be monitoring more birds in an increasing number of locations breeding on the mainland.

Raymond been extremely dedicated to his work here, spending many years walking across very tough terrain in harsh weather conditions.  We would like to thank Raymond for his contribution to all aspects Conservation work on Ascension. It has been a pleasure to work with him and we will miss him (especially his amazing fish fries!) we wish him all the best in his new employment with the school.

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