Displaying items by tag: Seabirds

Unlike other oceans, which are known to have specific “hotspots” where predators, including seabirds, gather in large numbers to feed, the Indian Ocean lacks such concentrated feeding areas, a recent paper has revealed. This lack of hotspots is particularly concerning given the various threats seabirds face due to human activities.

It’s early morning on Cousin Island Special Reserve. You sit on the veranda of the field station, sipping coffee and scaring off Seychelles fodys and skinks determined to grab a piece of your breakfast. As you stare off into the sea, you notice a flock of Lesser Noddys (Anous tenuirostris) close to shore.

Cousin Island Special Reserve is a special place for Seychelles’ biodiversity. Seabirds have a huge role to play in this important Seychelles’ protected area. Seabirds are also a key part of the marine ecosystem as they are considered marine animals in the food chain of the ocean. They can be used as indicators of ocean health and disturbances. Seabird monitoring is therefore vital to keep a handle on what is happening in the ocean.