Landbird Point Count on Denis Island

Seychelles Magpie Robin

Denis Island hosts a number of rare endemic bird species, most of which were introduced to the island to provide them with a safe rat-free environment. The Denis Island Environment Team together with the support of Green Islands Foundation (GIF) makes sure that the populations are regularly monitored and population sizes are estimated every year. 

Survey grid

An island-wide landbird point count was conducted in late November / begin December 2015. For this census, a grid with 58 counting points (150m apart from each other) was made with a GPS. 

For a duration of 5 minutes, all endemic bird species (Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Magpie Robin, Seychelles Fody and Seychelles Blue Pigeon) seen and heard were counted on each point. 

Denis Environment staff and GIF volunteer surveying

For the staff and GIF volunteers, the census was fun to do, as it involved a lot of strolling through the dense forest in parts that are rarely visited. Long clothes and plenty of mosquito spray were a must though!

With the data, a distribution map was made for each species, and by use of specialized analysis software, a population estimate for each species will be generated. 

We will keep you updated on the results!