Latest news from Nathan and Dane on Ascension Island...
At the end of last year we installed two sets of Ascension Island frigatebird decoys on the main island to see if we could attract breeding birds back (read more here). Just in today, juvenile birds have been seen landing among out plastic friends! While this is not indicative that we have succeeded in our mission, it's at least a start and a good one at that. The masked boobies are doing well too, and the Army Ornithological Society had a very fruitful ringing trip to the island, retrieving several data loggers from sooty terns (no mean feat when you are looking for a handful of birds among thousands!) We look forwards to finding out what they tell us about the terns' journey between breeding seasons.
More when I have it, Ian.
Immature, female and male AI frigatebirds
More great work by theRSPB/Birdlife and the Army OS. Just shows how vital the UK Overseas Territories are and how their fanastic wildlife desperately more help..
Hi Redkite - many thanks! It's great working with AOS and the folks on Ascension - some good teamwork. I'm planning on more blogs on UK OTs over the year - and something on St Helena coming tomorrow.
Best wishes
Ian