Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 15.12.2011 (Article Archived on 29.12.2011)

This past week, we have had visitors from RSPB from the UK, Liz Mackley, Ian Fisher and Richard Hesketh.

Ascension Island Conservation Department

RSPB Seabird Restoration

This past week, we have had visitors from RSPB from the UK, Liz Mackley, Ian Fisher and Richard Hesketh. We have been assisting them with Nathan and Dane setting up Frigate Bird decoys and putting loggers onto the Masked Boobies. Thank you to the RSPB Team for your time and good work.

Contributed by Liz Mackley, RSPB

Since 2001, when the Seabird Restoration Project began, the number of seabirds breeding on Ascension Island has continually increased. The AIG Conservation Department has led the monitoring since 2004, funded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The numbers of birds breeding are now too high for every nest to be found and followed to completion. For the past 2 weeks RSPB staff – Ian Fisher and Liz Mackley plus a volunteer Richard Hesketh have been visiting Ascension to discuss possible changes to the monitoring and help set up new study plots. In addition, the AIG and RSPB teams have tracked Masked boobies breeding on Letterbox and created two replica colonies of Ascension frigate birds at Letterbox and Crater Cliff. These replica colonies each have 15 plastic decoys of males and females in different poses, which will hopefully encourage frigate birds to breed in these areas. This is the only species that has not yet returned to breed on the main island and is of high conservation concern as it only breeds on the tiny Boatswain Bird Island.

Top: Frigate Bird Decoys on Mandela Ridge, Letterbox Area,

RSPB Team with Conservation Team setting up scope for monitoring Boatswain Bird Island

Thank you and Farewell

Louise Short presented with a parting gift

We would like to say thank you and farewell to Louise Short who has been volunteering with us to help with letter writing and restoration work on the Green Mountain National Park. We wish you and your family all the best for the future.

Please be advised that due to on-going field work the Conservation Office will open from 7.30am -10am during week days. We open as normal on Saturdays, 10am-12noon, signs will be posted on the door when the office is closed.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Volunteers welcome. Please contact Natasha Williams or Jolene Sim.  Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email:  natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac  or assistant.conservationofficer@ascension.gov.ac