Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 21.07.2011 (Article Archived on 04.08.2011)
These flowers are in full bloom again all over the Island. The Yellow Boy is native to Central and South America.
Yellow Boy, Tecoma stans
These flowers are in full bloom again all over the Island. The Yellow Boy is native to Central and South America. It is now common and spreading in many areas of the Island, including Green Mountain, along the NE bay road and in Cricket Valley. It is a profusely flowering, branching shrub, up to 12ft tall and can withstand very dry conditions. There would appear to be two varieties of this shrub, often found growing in close proximity. Bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers appear on both varieties although the leaves differ, those on one plant being more serrated. The fruit is a beanlike capsule and turns a dark brown colour when ripened. The unopened flowers can be popped; they are also known as Yellow Pops.
Two Boats School Awards Assembly
Last Friday we were invited to the Two Boats School end of year awards assembly. Every year we sponsor the geography prize. Nathan Fowler presented the prize to the winning student Kieran Yon.
Nathan Fowler and Kieran Yon
Beached whale on Shelly Beach
Stephen Johnson visited Ascension for a few days last week, stopping off on the last leg of his journey sailing to Brazil to meet his family. Stephen is a whale, orca and marine invertebrate expert working in Argentina. He visited our office on Friday and kindly looked at our photos of the beached whale found on Shelly Beach. Stephen advised that the beached whale was likely to be a white humpback calf, which had been predated by killer whales (orcas). Killer whales usually attack the head end of calves, which would explain why only the tail end was found on Shelly beach.
Conservation Office
The Conservation Office will be closed on Saturday 23rd July, sorry for any inconvenience caused. We will resume normal opening hours from Monday. 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.
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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