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INTRODUCTION Looking around Cousin Island today, it is hard to believe that this vibrant and diverse island ecosystem was once a coconut plantation. When the island was first settles in the early 1900’s, the original vegetation on the plateau was cleared to make way for more profitable coconut trees as well as a small garden. Recognizing the value of Cousin as the last remaining home of the near-extinct Seychelles warbler, and an important site for breeding seabirds, the International Council for Bird Preservation (no Birdlife International) bought the island in 1968 and turned it into a nature reserve. Years of careful conservation gradually led to an astounding increase in the warbler population, the restoration of the island’s native vegetation, and an increase in the island’s overall biodiversity. Today, Cousin Island Special Reserve is managed by Nature Seychelles, a locally based non-profit organisation. Conservation activities include monitoring the island’s biodiversity, research, and re-introduction of endangered species such as the Seychelles magpie-robin, ecotourism and education. Each year, thousands of people like you take advantage of the opportunity to visit this unique island reserve and learn more about successful conservation. It is our hope that this guide will enrich your visit further by helping you to identify and learn more about the fascinating lives of some of the island’s plants and animals. This guide contains information about the most common species found on Cousin, and each is illustrated to help with identification (note: drawings are not to scale). For each of the species listed, several names are provided in this format: English name / Kreol name Scientific name The following symbols are used to include the origins of each species: I INTRODUCED: species brought to Seychelles on purpose or accidentally by humans N NATIVE (or indigenous): occur naturally in Seychelles but also elsewhere in the world E ENDEMIC: only found in a specific geographic region, e.g. Seychelles While enjoying your walk, your walk, we ask you to please help keep Cousin special by not touching or disturbing any of the wildlife or their habitats. We wish you an enjoyable day on the island! 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 2 TOURISM CODE OF ETHICS FOR COUSIN 4 COUSIN HABITATS 5 Seashore 6 Plateau 7 Hill 8 Wetlands 8 COUSIN PLANTS 10 Vines, Wildflowers and Shrubs 10 Trees 11 COUSIN ANIMALS 14 Terrestrial Invertebrates 14 Reptiles 16 Birds 18 Seabirds 19 Shorebirds 20 Land birds 21 Mammals 23 Seashore life 24 MAP OF COUSIN 26 ABOUT NATURE SEYCHELLES 27 3 TOURISM CODE OF ETHICS FOR COUSIN A high quality tourism experience depends on the conservation of our environment, and respecting both international and local practices and regulations. We have developed and adopted a Code of Ethics to achieve these objectives. This code involves requirement both from you the visitor and from us the management of Cousin Island Special Reserve. For you the visitor Please follow the instructions given by the island wardens: • • • • • • • Follow guidelines for photography. Commercial photographers should pay required fees. The following should not be used: large equipment which could slow down your group, could get damaged or hurt someone; bright flashes or tripods that disturb the animals Do not smoke or light fires or use hazardous chemicals Do not litter – if you bring it with you, take it with you Do not take any natural materials or products Please ensure that you have personal insurance to cover for any accident, loss or damage Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and protect yourself with sunscreen and personal mosquito repellent Following the above will help you to enjoy our natural heritage and help us to preserve it! From us, the management or Cousin Island Special Reserve We want to continue to welcome visitors and to preserve this natural treasure. We undertake to: • • • • • • • • Conserve and protect our rich biodiversity Maintain the Reserve as a heritage for all mankind Provide you the visitor with an enjoyable experience Make proper use of the fees you pay through the Reserve Reach out to local people through awareness and educational programmes Preferentially hire local people Assist in providing economic benefits to stakeholders Use locally made products 4 COUSIN HABITATS Although Cousin is a small island, only 27 hectares, it boasts a great diversity of habitats, the most distinctive of which are the shore, the plateau forest, the hill and the wetlands. Each habitat tends to support a range of species that are adapted to its particular conditions. For example, nesting seabirds like Shearwaters and Bridled terns are more common up on the rocky hill which has ideal nesting sites for them, and the moisture of the freshwater marsh attracts water loving species like Dragonflies and Moorhens. However, because Cousin is such a small island, and the boundaries between habitats are not rigid, many of the plants and animals can be found in several different habitats. Management of the habitats of Cousin has been minimal since the island was declared a nature reserve in 1968. Vegetation in all habitats has been left to regenerate naturally, although on the plateau the once dominating coconut trees have been gradually removed to make space for native woodland species. The gradual changes in the vegetation of the different habitats is being monitored over time in order for Nature Seychelles to assess the impact of these changes on the animals are dependent on them. 5 The first habitat on Cousin encountered by visitors is the seashore, a great stretch of open-wide beach broken here and there by rocky outcrops. At the top of the beach is a beach crest, characterised by a strip of coastal vegetation such as Casuarina, Coconut trees, Vouloutye bushes, and creepers such as Beach morning glory. The seashore is not an easy place to inhabit: residents are subjected to salt spray, wind, wave action, sea level fluctuations, shifting sands, as well as the hot and glaring sun. As such, plants and animals that live at the seashore have evolved adaptations that enable them to withstand and even benefit from these conditions. Coastal plants typically have waxy leaves resistant to salt spray and excessive water loss as well as flexible stems to withstand strong winds. Most grow above the high tide watermark, along the beach crest, where the roots help control coastal erosion and their leaves and branches provide shade and shelter for many other species. While the sandy beaches are home to only a few animal species: Ghost crabs, Molluscs, shorebirds and sandworms among them, they are an important nesting site for Hawksbill turtles and the occasional Green turtle. The life inhabiting the stretches of rocky coast between beaches is more evident: Limpets, Nerites, Perwinkles, Sally-light-foot crabs and Chitons all graze on the algae and other plants growing on the rocks. Cousin Island Special Reserve also comprises the marine environment around the island up to 400 metres offshore. The reefs surrounding Cousin are host to some of the greatest diversity of fish and other species recorded in Seychelles. To protect this marine life, fishing and other exploitative activities are prohibited, although snorkeling and diving are permitted. 6 PLATEAU Cousin’s plateau is the dominating habitat of the island. Formerly a coconut plantation, the plateau is now characterised by a mixed Pisonia, Indian mulberry and Ochrosia forest alive with lizards, nesting seabirds, forest dwelling birds and insects. The trees and shrubs on the plateau create a shady and relatively cool environment, as well as provide homes and shelter for a diversity of animal species. During the South East monsoon season (May-August) the plateau forest is bursting with the sight, sounds and smells of nesting seabirds like the Lesser noddy, thousands of which nest on the small island. White-tailed tropicbirds and White terns can be found nesting in the forest throughout the year, Seychelles warblers can be observed feeding on insects found on the leaves of the forest trees, and tortoises roam free feasting on the vegetation and fallen fruits of Indian mulberry. As the forest matures, dead and fallen trees, branches and leaves provide a food source for a host of invertebrates, such as millipedes, termites and other insects, and gradually decompose building up a dark layer of rich, humus-based soil ideal for the growth of other plants. The invertebrates themselves are in turn eaten by other species: endemic Seychelles magpie-robins and Wrights skinks are commonly seen picking through leaf litter on the forest floor in search of a tasty cockroach. The plateau is fringed by and overlaps with all of the other habitats on the island, and so species associated with other habitats such as crabs and Moorhens are commonly found foraging in the plateau woodland. 7 As you leave the plateau and walk up the hill, you are sure to notice several gradual changes in the environment: the vegetation becomes more sparse, and the Pisonia forest is replaced by a more drought resistant vegetation dominated by Euphorbia and Screwpine trees. This vegetation here is adapted to the harsh conditions of the hill: the sun is hot, the soil layer is thin, and water is scarce as most rain water runs straight off the smooth surface of the rocks down to the wetland at the base of the hill. Like on the seashore, little shade is available to shelter plants and animals from the heat of the sun. Hill plants protect themselves with thick waxy leaves that reduce water loss, and animals like Giant millipedes and Bronze geckos hide in small patches of shade until the cooler night allows them to go about their business. The typical Seychellois granite bedrock and boulders largely hidden on other parts of the island by guano-rich soil and vegetation are evident here, and provide ideal nesting habitats for Shearwaters, Brown noddies, and Bridled terns. The rocks and sparse vegetation on the hill create a very hot environment, especially on a sunny day. 8 Cousin boasts two small wetland habitats: a freshwater swamp located within the plateau at the base of the hill, and a brackish mangrove swamp at Anse Frégate. While small, these wetlands perform important roles on the island, both as natural water filters and as habitats for wildlife. The freshwater swamp absorbs and purifies run-off rom the hill, slowly releasing moisture even through the dry season, and providing a water source for birds, tortoises and other species. The swamp provides a habitat for aquatic insects like dragonflies and mosquitoes as well as a small population of the Seychelles terrapin and Moorhens. Giant tortoises are commonly observed finding relief from the heat and bothersome mosquitoes by wallowing in the cool mud of the swamp. The well, which provides water for the island’s resident wardens, is located next to the swamp. The small mangrove swamp can be seen from the lookout point on top of the hill. It filters water run-off from the island before it flows into the sea, removing sediments that provide a source of nutrition for the mangrove trees themselves as well as other species in the swamp. A common mangrove tree species, Avicennia marina dominates the swamp although one other mangrove species (Risofaura?) is also present. As well as being a permanent habitat for animals such mangrove crabs, periwinkles and mudskippers, the mangrove provides shelter and food for marine species that come in to feed at high tide. Cattle egrets roost and sometimes breed in the mangrove trees, and are regularly seen flying back and forth to Praslin. 9 COUSIN PLANTS The vegetation of Cousin Island is still in transition from coconut plantation back to native vegetation. As you walk the trails you will encounter a variety of native and non-native species that reflects the history of the island. The most common are listed here. VINES, WILDFLOWERS & SHRUBS Wild pea I Canavalia cathartica The pink-flowered creeper is common in sunny spots throughout the plateau forest, often climbing up on shrubs and trees in search of sun, sometimes suffocating them in the process. Beach morning glory – Patatran N Ipomoea pes-caprae This hardy ground creeper is common on the beach fringes throughout the Indian Ocean islands. It’s lovely large pink flowers typical of the morning glory family are offset nicely by the vivid green succulent waxy leaves. Well adapted against the rigours of salt spray, wind and occasional soaking by a high tide wave, this creeper plays an important role in the protection of the dune against coastal erosion. Coffee / Kafe I Coffee Arabica Introduced by the early settlers, this attractive shrub is now widespread in Seychelles, although the coffee beans are no longer harvested. Break open one of the berry-like fruits and inside you will find a coffee seed (bean), which must be roasted and ground before it can be brewed. Nowadays Seychellois rarely prepare local coffee, preparing to use imported ground coffee or instant coffee instead. Cotton / Koton I Gossypium hirsatun Introduced to Seychelles by early settlers experimenting with potential cash crops, cotton now grows wild on several islands, including Cousin (near the visitors shelter on the East coast). Its seeds are dispersed by wing, aided by a tuft of fibres commonly known as cotton. On Cousin, the cotton fibres are a popular nesting material for Seychelles sunbirds. 10 Castor Oil / Tantan I Ricinus cummunis This tall open shrub can be found in the garden area near the well. It was originally cultivated in Seychelles as a medicinal plant but is now commonly found growing wild. The oil is derived from the seeds, which are poisonous if eaten whole. Vouloutye N Scaevola sericea This attractive shrub found along the coast provides shade and cover for a host of birds, insects, crabs and other small animals. It’s shiny, waxy leaves are well adapted to resist the onslaught of salt spray, sun and wind. They help prevent coastal erosion and form a barrier shielding inland species from the elements. Suriana / Bwa matio N Suriana maritime Found along the beach fringe, this plant has flexible stems and narrow waxy leaves, perfectly adapted to withstanding the rigours of wind, sun and salt spray. Like many of the coastal species, Suriana is widely distributed on many islands in Seychelles. TREES Pisonia / Mapou N Pisonia grandis Generally uncommon on most islands in Seychelles, the Pisonia is common on Cousin as on other seabird islands. The sticky seeds are dispersed by clinging to the birds’ feathers, an adaptation which leads to some bird fatalities. The leaves host a variety of insects eaten by the Seychelles warbler, and are used by Lesser noddies as nesting material. Coconut / Pye koko N Cocos nicifera Under natural conditions, coconut trees are normally found fringing the coast, where the nuts are dispersed by the sea. Coconut trees are popular nesting sites of the Brown noddy during the South-East monsoon season. Coconut trees planted on Cousin’s plateau have gradually been replaced by native inland species. 11 Casuarina / Pye sed N? Casuarina equisetifolia These graceful, wispy trees fringing the coast provide valuable food and nesting sites for a number of bird species, as well as form a barrier to shelter inland species from slat spray and wind. They are believed to be a native species. They are favourite roosting sites for Bridled terns and small numbers of Frigatebirds. Indian Mulberry / Bwa torti N? Morinda citrifolia Believed to be a native species, Indian mulberry trees are common throughout the plateau. Tortoises commonly feed on the soft, smelly fruits, which many claim smell like an over-ripe cheese! The flowers provide nectar for Sunbirds and Fodies. Ochrosia / Fruit bat tree / Bwa sousouri N Ochrosia oppositifolia Found in dense forest, these trees produce smooth mangoshaped fruits that are often consumed by visiting fruit bats from Praslin. The dried fibrous seeds can be seen in many places strewn along the forest floor. Banyan / Lafous Ficus reflexa N These graceful large trees belonging to the fig family are easily identified by the masses of aerial roots hanging from the branches to the forest floor. There are three native species present on Cousin, and their fruits are an important food source for resident birds such as the Malagasy turtle dove and the Seychelles blue pigeon, as well as for visiting fruit bats. Papaya / Papay I Corica papaya Scattered throughout the plateau, these fruit tree are remnants of the garden of the island’s former inhabitants. Their fruits are a food source for lizards, insects, snails, the Seychelles fody and the resident Wardens. 12 Screwpine / Vakwa parasol E Pandanus balfourii Easily recognizable by it’s large tufts of leaves, this tree can be found growing between rocks on the hillside. Fragrant screwpine fruits provide food for visiting bats, lizards and birds. Eucalyptus I Eucalyptus spp. This attractive tree can be found growing among the rocks on the hill-side, and is easily identified by it’s pointed drooping leaves and scaly bark. It was probably introduced to the island by early settlers as a fast growing timber tree. Euphorbia / Tangen N Euphorbia pyrifolia A rather spindly shrub or tree, which is common on the hillside. The thick leathery leaves are well adapted to withstand the hot, dry conditions: a waxy layer on the leaves prevents the plant from loosing too much water through transpiration. The white sap of the species contains a chemical, which burns the skin, hence, the Latin name: pyri (fire) – folia (leaves). Mangrove / Mangliye N Avicennia marina There are two mangrove species on the island but this one is more common and dominates the small mangrove swamp located at Anse Frégate. Besides providing a habitat for a number of animals and other plants, mangroves play an important ecological role filtering river water thereby removing soil sediment and pollutants before they reach the sea. They also provide a sheltered nursing ground for the young of a number of coral reef animals. 13 COUSIN ANIMALS Unlike on many of the other granitic islands, on Cousin the wildlife is abundant and close at hand. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to see a variety of nesting seabirds, foraging birds of the forest, lizards roaming about in the leaf litter in search of food, and a host of invertebrates such as crabs, spiders, millipedes and termites. The most common species encountered are listed here. TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES Cousin island is alive with a great diversity of invertebrate life, including molluscs, millipedes, centipedes, insects, and crustaceans. While generally not loved by human beings, these creepy crawlies form a vital and integral part of the Cousin island ecosystem. Termites / Karya N Nasutiternes spp. Keep an eye out for the massive termite nests on tree trunks in the plateau and their trails snaking along tree branches. Although termites superficially resemble ants in appearance and in their social nature, they belong to a completely different order of insects. Termite colonies are important decomposers of fallen leaves, trees and branches, and have special microorganisms in their gut to help them to digest the tough wood fibres. Mosquitoes / Moustik N Aedes / Culex spp. While not greatly loved by visitors to Cousin, the thriving mosquito population of the island forms an important food source for other island residents such as the Seychelles warbler and Dragonflies. They are especially abundant near the freshwater marsh. Other the females take blood meals, and they do so to gain the protein needed for the development of their eggs. Both males and females feed on nectar from flowers and fruit juices. Although they are annoying, Seychelles mosquitoes do not carry diseases such as Malaria and Yellow fever. Palm spider / Bib N Nephila inaurata These frightening looking spiders are actually harmless. Like other web spiders, they feed on insects caught in their web, usually built fairly high up in open areas. The larger females are about 10cm in length while the smaller males, who often build their webs on the periphery of a female’s web are only 1-2cm long. 14 Whip spider / Tarantin arme E Phrynicus scaber These strange creatures grow to about 25cm in length. They are abundant on the hill during the cooler night, but hide in the moist shade during the day. While harmless, they can produce a repulsive liquid from glands along the abdomen. Ghost crab / Loulou grangalo N Ocypodes ceratophtalmus & O.cordimana There are two species of these pale-coloured crabs on the island. One with rather pointy eyes, the other with more rounded eyes. Both species can also be found on most other islands in Seychelles. On Cousin, they can be found on the beach and throughout the plateau, feeding on decaying matter. They burrow tunnels in the beaches, and at night, the males produce a grasshopper-like sound by vibrating their front claws. Hermit crab / Solda N Coenobita rugosus & C.brevimanus These terrestrial crabs can be seen roaming throughout the plateau in search of decaying matter to eat, their legs and antennae protruding from a seashell. When disturbed, they quickly tuck themselves into the shell, as did the shell’s original inhabitant mollusc. As the crabs grow they find bigger shells to live in – one reason why we ask visitors not to collect any seashells from the island. Giant millipede / Milpat E Seychelleptus seychellarum Endemic giant millipedes (up to 30cm long) can often be found under leaf litter or rotting coconut husks. They may look ferocious but are actually harmless, feeding on leaf litter and fallen fruits. Like other millipedes, they secrete a defensive chemical to protect themselves from predators. Giant millipedes are found on several small islands, such as Cousine, Marianne and Cousin, as well as on some of the larger islands such as La Digue, Silhouette and Frégate. It is believed that they were previously found on Praslin and Mahé, but probably declined due to the removal of indigenous forests as well as predation by introduced mammals. 15 REPTILES There are 11 species of reptile on Cousin, the most common of which are the skinks, which can easily be seen crawling about on the forest floor. Seychelles skink / Lezar mangouya E Mabuya seychellensis This lizard is common throughout Seychelles and especially so on Cousin, which is said to have one of the highest lizard densities in the world! These cheeky skinks are active during the day, feeding on seabird eggs, invertebrates and fallen fruits. Wright’s skink / Teng teng Mabuya wrightii E Larger than the Seychelles skink, this skink is also active by day and feeds on seabird eggs, invertebrates and fallen fruits. This species is only found on a few islands such as Cousin, Cousine, Frégate and Aride, associated with large seabird colonies. Burrowing skink / Lezar later E Pamelaescincus gardineri As it’s name implies, this secretive lizard spends most of it’s time burrowing in the soil and leaf litter hunting for small invertebrates. Bronze gecko E Ailuronyx seychellensis This large nocturnal gecko is found both in the buildings on Cousin and on trees in the forest, where it eats insects and fruits. It is endemic to Seychelles. Green gecko / Lezar ver N Phelsuma astriata Smaller than the Bronze gecko, this brilliantly coloured lizard is active during the day. An agile climber, they are shy and found in the forest floor rather than houses. They feed mainly on insects. 16 Aldabra Giant tortoise / Torti-d-ter E Geochelone gigantean Several Giant tortoises can be found roaming about the plateau, feeding on leaves and fallen fruits. These large herbivores belong to the Aldabra species, which were introduced to the granitic islands after overexploitation led to the extinction of the resident species. Hawksbill turtle / Kare N Eretmochelys imbricata Cousin is the most important nesting ground in the Western Indian Ocean for these marine turtles. Elsewhere nesting under the cover of darkness, in Seychelles the females can be seen nesting in broad daylight, laying their eggs in holes dug in the sand under the beach vegetation from October to January, with the young emerging approximately eight weeks later. Once exploited for their beautiful shell, these graceful creatures are now protected in Seychelles. Freshwater terrapin / Torti soupap E Pelusios subniger These elusive turtles live in the swamp at the base of the hill, feeding on plants, water insects and other prey. They are shy and only seen several times a year when heavy rains fill the marsh and wash them out onto the path. Brahminy blind snake / Lever d-ter nwar I Ramphotyphlops braminus The only snake species found on Cousin, this small harmless snake looks much like a black worm and even spends time burrowing in soil looking for invertebrates to eat. These snakes are not native to Seychelles, and were accidentally introduced to Cousin among the roots of fruit trees or other crop plants. Only females are known of this species, and it reproduces asexually. 17 BIRDS Cousin is best known as a haven for nesting seabirds. However, while on the island, visitors also have the opportunity to see a number of forest-dwelling birds, many of which are endemic and very rare, as well as migratory seabirds. SEABIRDS Throughout the year, visitors to Cousin are treated to the sight of nesting seabirds. While White terns, White-tailed tropicbirds and Tropical Shearwaters nest yearround and Bridled terns every 8 months, Noddies breed during the South-East monsoon (June-August) and the Wedge-tailed shearwaters during the North-West monsoon (October-March). Any season, be prepared for the sights, sounds and smells of seabird breeding, and even for the occasional dropping! (some say it’s good luck!) Lesser noddy / Kelek N Anous tenuirostris Nesting exclusively in the Indian Ocean, it’s estimated that about 80,000 pairs of Lesser noddies breed on Cousin Island during the South-East monsoon season (June-August), making Cousin one of the largest breeding sites in the world. Lesser noddies build their untidy nests of leaves, seaweed and guano in the branches of trees along the coast and throughout the plateau. Noddies feed on schools of small surface-feeding fish. Brown noddy / Common noddy / Makwa N Anous stolidus Larger and browner in colour than the Lesser noddy, they are also fewer in numbers with about 1,300 pairs breeding each year on Cousin during the South-East monsoon season (May-August). Brown noddies nest among the rocks as well as in Coconut and Pandanus trees. This is probably the only native species that has actually declined since the coconut plantation has been replaced by native vegetation: a result of fewer Coconut trees for nesting. White tern / Fairy tern / Golan N Gygis alba Once common throughout the granitic islands, White terns now prefer to breed on islands free from rats, cats and Barn owls, such as Cousin, where about 4,000 pairs nest on the island each year. All year round, pairs can be seen incubating eggs balanced precariously on the branches of the trees throughout the plateau. Rather than feeding their chicks on regurgitated fish like most other seabirds, White tern parents provide their young with fresh, whole fish, caught in the waters around Cousin. 18 Bridled tern / Fansen N Sterna anaethetus About 600 pairs of Bridled terns breed on Cousin each year, making the island the most important nesting site for this species in Seychelles. They nest among the rocks and vegetation along the coast up the hill. They have a peculiar 8 month breeding cycle. Bridled terns feed on very small fish or pieces of floating food, dipping and picking at food near the surface of the sea, often quite close to the shore. White-tailed tropicbird / Payanke N Phhethon lepturus lepturus This spectacular seabird is found throughout the tropical waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They fly far out to sea and dive for their food of flying fish or quid. While somewhat rare now on Mahé and other granitic islands with rats and cats, they are common on rat-free islands like Cousin, Cousine, and Aride. White-tailed tropicbirds breed yearround, each pair nesting in a tree hole or sheltered side on the ground. The chicks get quite fat, not fledging until they are 70-80 days old, and do not grow the long white tail until they are a year old. About 3,000 pairs breed on Cousin each year. Tropical shearwater / Audubon’s shearwater / Riga N Puffinus Iherminieri Smaller and less common than the Wedge-tailed shearwater, this species can be easily identified by it’s small size and white throat and belly. As their name implies, these birds glide close to the ocean surface, skimming the waves. This species breeds yearround among the rocks on the hill. Mainly nocturnal, both shearwater species have an eerie call, which may account for some of the ghost stories that abound on Cousin and other seabird islands. This species feeds on fish and squid, usually near to the surface but is capable of diving to a depth of 35m. Wedge-tailed shearwater / Fouke N Puffinus pacificus These birds are grey-brown in colour and breed from October to March in burrows among the rocks and trees on the hill, and feed on fish and squid. A census of the 1999 breeding population indicated that about 15,000 pairs nest on Cousin. Research undertaken on Cousin found that the Wedge-tailed shearwater is capable of diving to a staggering depth of 66m! The fat chicks once exploited for human consumption are now protected. 19 Greater frigatebird / Gran fregat N Fregata minor You can’t miss this huge bird if you see it – it is the largest bird in Seychelles and has long angular wings, and a long thin forked tail. The adult male has a bright red throat patch that it inflates during courtship rituals, and the females and young have a white chest. In Seychelles, Frigatebirds only breed on Aldabra atoll, but they can be seen around Cousin island in the non-breeding season from November to May searching for feeding sites. Lesser frigatebird / Pti fregat N Fregata ariel Somewhat difficult to distinguish from Greater Frigatebirds in the field, this bird is smaller and has white ‘armpits’. The male is all black except for the white armpits, and the female has a white patch on the breast. Like other Frigatebird species, these birds are pirates, chasing after other seabirds until they drop their catch in fright, and then scooping up their free meal. SHOREBIRDS Many shorebird species are migratory, visiting Seychelles and other countries in the region during the northern hemisphere winter when food supplies are more plentiful here, and then returning north in the spring to breed. Listed here are the regular migrants, many other species can occasionally be spotted on Cousin on their way through Seychelles. Turnstone / Bezros N Arenaria interpres Turnstones breed in the Arctic in the northern hemisphere summer, but migrate to southern coats all over the world during the rest of the year. On Cousin, they can be found year-round on the beaches as well as throughout the plateau, feeding on small invertebrates like worms, crabs and insects. Whimbrel / Korbizo N Numenius phaeopus Like the Turnstones, Whimbrels breed in the Siberian Arctic and spend the rest of the year in warmer climates like Seychelles. Easily identified by their long, slightly downward curved beaks, these birds use their beaks to find worms 78cm down in the sand or mud at low tide. At high tide, they feed on Ghost crabs further up the beach. 20 Crab plover / Kavalye N Dromus ardeola An occasional visitor to the shores of Cousin, this attractive black and white shorebird likes to eat crabs, a feat for which it’s strong black bill is well adapted. During the northern hemisphere summer, Crab plovers return to the Red Sea, where they breed on sandy islands or near coral reefs. Nesting pairs actually dig a long tunnel of at least one metre underground, at the end of which they lay their egg – an amazing feat for such seemingly delicate birds! Sanderling N Calidris alba A northern hemisphere winter visitor to Seychelles, the Sanderling is a tiny shorebird with a dark beak and dark legs. Small groups of them can often be seen on Cousin, scurrying up and down the beach to avoid being swamped by waves as they probe the sand for worms and small crustaceans. LANDBIRDS For it’s small size, Cousin boasts an excellent diversity of land birds, including five of Seychelles eleven endemic species in the granitic islands. All species can easily be seen during a guided tour of the island; just keep your eyes and ears open and you are sure not to be disappointed! Seychelles warbler / Timerl dezil N Acrocephalus sechellensis This little bird is the main reason why Cousin became a nature reserve. Close to extinction in the 1960’s, Birdlife International bought Cousin Island, the warbler’s last remaining refuge in 1968, in order to save it. Now there are over 320 birds on Cousin, and have since been introduced to Cousin, Aride, and Denis Islands by Nature Seychelles and partnering universities. The total world population of the bird is around 2,500. Like other warblers, these birds feed on insects. They are territorial but grown chicks often stay with their parents to help raise subsequent broods. Seychelles sunbird / Kolibri E Nectarina dussumieri This noisy little bird is found on most Seychelles islands. It feeds on nectar and insects. The male has an iridescent throat and, if observed carefully, can be seen to have orange/yellow tufts under the wings which are displayed during courtship or when defending it’s territory. They build a delicate hanging nest from grasses, Casuarina needles and other fibres. 21 Seychelles fody / Tok-tok E Foudia sechellarum This cheeky sparrow-like bird is only found on Cousin, Cousine, Aride and Frégate islands, all of which are free from tree-climbing rats. On Cousin, we have 500-600 pairs, representing about 30% of the world population of this globally threatened species. It is believed that their untidy nest built in the fork of a branch is easily accessible to rats, a factor which has limited their survival on other islands. They feed on insects, fruits and seeds, and will also feast on unprotected seabird eggs if given the opportunity. They are larger than the Madagascar fody, which is found on other granitic islands, and the males have a patch of yellow on the forehead and throat. Barred ground dove / Tortrel koko I Geopelia striata As with many other common birds in Seychelles, this one is not endemic, but a native of Malaysia, probably introduced to Seychelles via Mauritius. Found mainly on the beach crest, they feed on fallen seeds of grasses, Casuarina trees, and other plants. Malagasy turtle dive / Tourtrel dezil I Stretopelia picturata Seychelles endemic sub-species of turtle dove was lost to hybridization with this variety from Madagascar. Some individuals on Cousin bear resemblance to the original Seychelles race. They feed mainly on seeds and fruits. Seychelles blue pigeon / Pizon olande E Alectroenas pulcherrima A relatively new resident on Cousin, several pairs of this lovely bird have been recorded nesting on the island. They feed on the fruits of the Banyan, Takamaka, Vouloutye and others. 22 Seychelles magpie-robin / Pi santez E Copsychus sechellarum This charismatic bird, originally found in great numbers on several islands, was in 1990 down to a population of only 23 birds on Frégate island, making it one of the most critically endangered species in the world. In 1990, a special recovery programme was established by Nature Seychelles, leading to the eventual translocation of several birds to Cousin, Cousine, and Aride islands. In 1999 the total population had increased to 90 birds, 25 of them on Cousin, and today, the island has a population of around 50. However, only on Cousin do the birds subsist entirely on their natural diet of leaf litter insects like cockroaches and millipedes; the birds on the other islands are given supplementary bird food and cockroaches. Moorhen / Pouldo N Gallinula chloropus Despite their seemingly awkward flight, Moorhens have managed to colonise a large number of islands throughout the world. There is a resident population on Cousin, members of which can best be seen near the swamp but also throughout the plateau, in search of insects, fruits and small lizards. MAMMALS Generally speaking, islands like Seychelles, which are far from any continent, have few mammals. The only mammals native to Seychelles are bats; any others have been introduced by humans. Fruit bat / Flying fox / Sousouri E Pteropus seychellensis While none are actually island residents, up to 500 fruit bats visit Cousin from nearby Praslin to feast on the fruits of Ochrosia, Banyan and other trees. Black-naped hare / Iyev I Lepus nigricollis A native of Java, this hare is thought to have been introduced during the 1930’s from Mauritius, and is found nowhere else in Seychelles. This timid animal is active mainly at dusk and night, and like other hares, feeds on grasses and other vegetation. So far, the small population is not believed to have had a great impact on the island ecosystem, and thus have never been removed. Rats, cats and dogs Cousin is one of only a small handful of Seychelles’ islands that has escaped the introduction of rats and feral cats and dogs, animals which have decimated native wildlife elsewhere. A strict policy of forbidding boats other than the Cousin warden’s boat to land on the island helps to ensure that these aliens are not accidentally introduced. 23 SEASHORE LIFE Cousin Island Special Reserve extends 400m offshore, thus including the rich and diverse fringing reef ecosystem that surrounds the island. While the reef species can only be seen while diving or snorkeling, a large number of coastal organisms can be observed along the sandy and rocky shores, particularly at low tide. Most of these coastal species are common throughout the Western Indian Ocean region. Seaweed / Gomon N Various spp. Many different species of seaweed can be found around Cousin, washed up on the beach, where they provide a food source for crabs, flies and other invertebrates. Seaweed deposited up on the beach crest by high tides gradually decomposes and enriches the nutrient poor sandy substrate. Most seaweed is actually algae; simple plants lacking true roots, leaves and a vascular system which most ‘modern’ terrestrial plants have. As well as being an important food source, seaweed also provides shelter and hiding places for a variety of marine animals, in addition to providing an anchor point for embryo dunes to develop. Limpet / Bernik N Cellana spp. These molluscs can easily be seen at low tides, clinging to rocks near the seashore. They move slowly along the rock surface, grazing on algae. Nerite / Bigorno Nerita spp. N Check around the rocks near the shore at low tide and you will din several species of Nerite, all of which - like the other molluscs – graze on algae. Periwinkle / Ti mari N Littotaria spp. These hardy little marine snails can often be seen in great numbers on rocks near the high tide watermark. When the tide is high, they move about on the rocks, feeding on algae. Chiton / Lalang melani N Acanthopleura spp. These strange looking molluscs with an 8-plated shell can be found clinging to rocks just below the low tide mark, grazing on algae. 24 Sea urchin / Latanye N Echinothrix diadema & Diadema spp. Related to Sea stars and Sea cucumbers, several sea urchin species are found in Cousin waters, but the black-spined species are more common near the rocky shore, grazing on algae around the submerged rocks. The black spines can give a painful sting if stepped on or touched. Sea stars and Brittle stars / Zetwal delo sale & Sanpye delo sale Various spp. Several species can be seen at low tide in rock pools and crevices near the shore. Many of them are scavengers or graze on algae. Sea cucumber / Banbara N Holothuria atra Many different sea cucumber species can be found around Cousin but this one is common near the shore among rocks or sea grass. Black and cucumber-shaped, it is often covered in sand. Sea cucumbers often ingest sand-suspended materials, digesting only the organic matter. Sally-lightfoot crab / Karkasay N Grapsus spp. The flattened bodies and spiny legs of these crabs are well adapted to gripping to rocks pummeled by waves in the intertidal zone and will often jump from one rock to another. They can be easily observed at low tide, grazing on algae. Although protected on Cousin island and other nature reserves, they are harvested elsewhere and made into a coconut curry. Barnacle / Graban N Tetraclita sp. & Tetrachthalamus sp. Although they look much like molluscs, these little filter-feeding crustaceans, which grow on rocks in the intertidal zone, are more closely related to crabs. When covered by seawater, they open up and their tiny legs wave about to catch plankton. Rockhopper / Kabo soter N Various spp. Strange amphibious fish, Rockhoppers use their strong tails to jump from rock to rock in the intertidal zone, grazing on algae in between waves. They cling to rocks with their tails and fins to avoid being washed away by the crashing waves. 25 26 HELP SUPPORT OUR CONSERVATION WORK Nature Seychelles is working for an environment rich in biodiversity. We need your support through membership and donations to continue protecting this precious heritage. All visitor fees and donations to Cousin go towards the management of the Reserve, for research, conservation and education projects. To become a member or make a donation, or learn more about the exciting work that Nature Seychelles carries out, visit our website at the address below. Postal address: PO Box 1310 Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles Tel: (+248) 4601100 / 4783119 Fax: 4601102 Email: [email protected] Website: www.natureseychelles.org ABOUT NATURE SEYCHELLES Nature Seychelles is a local, non-profit association founded in 1998 whose primary objective is to improve the conservation of local biodiversity. We manage Cousin Island Special Reserve and work with several island partners. Our activities include: • Species & habitat conservation • Monitoring • Research • • • Eco-tourism Education & awareness Advocacy We belong to the growing Birdlife International network, with many overseas and local partners such as RSPB, IUCN, WIOMSA, University of East Anglia, KeloniaCEDTM, University of Groningen, and University of Urbino – Italy. 27