CAMILLE HOAREAU WINS BIRDWATCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Mr Skerrett (right) presents the award to Mr Hoareau

In a short presentation that took place on Denis Island on Saturday February 14th, Camille Hoareau was awarded the Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) “Birdwatcher of the Year” award. This award, which included a certificate, a pair of binoculars and the field guide Birds of Seychelles, was presented on behalf of the committee by its Secretary, Adrian Skerrett, in the presence of General Manager Alain St Ange and other management staff of Denis.

Mr Skerrett noted that in the past, although Denis Island had gained a justifiable reputation for upmarket tourism on a beautiful tropical island, it had not been noted as a destination for birdwatchers, compared to other islands. Neighbouring Bird, for example, was famous for the large number of species of rare birds recorded by visitors to the island. However, the location of Denis, close to the northern edge of the Seychelles Bank meant that it had just as much potential to attract these exotic arrivals.

 “Camille Hoareau has put Denis Island on the map for birdwatchers,” Mr Skerrett noted, “He has reported sightings of many rare birds including the fourth Indian Pond Heron for Seychelles, the second Osprey, the second Eurasian Nightjar, a Redstart, many Amur Falcons and most exciting of all, what will be the first Grey-headed Kingfisher for Seychelles, if accepted by the committee. This will have to be included in the Second Edition of the book, Birds of Seychelles.”

The Birdwatcher of the Year award is given by SBRC to the Seychellois who sends in the most interesting bird records to the committee. The records are assessed by a panel of Seychelles and overseas bird experts to confirm their validity and are published for everyone to see in the local journal Birdwatch, on the SBRC web site and in the BirdLife International publication Africa Bird Club Bulletin. Record forms are available from Adrian Skerrett at Mahe Shipping Co Ltd or can be downloaded from the web site.

Camille Hoareau has been involved in many conservation initiatives on Denis, including the eradication of rats. “Already you can see the difference it is having on the island,” Camille said. “The birds are increasing in numbers and you see them feeding on the ground in a way that was impossible not long ago.”

Denis Island’s management has embraced the era of eco-tourism. Camille Hoareau takes tourists who visit Denis Island on nature walks, to explain to them the work that is being done to restore the island to its former glory, give them the opportunity to learn the names of some of the birds and plants and perhaps if they are lucky, the opportunity to see the rare and endangered turtles that are closely monitored on Denis Island.

Now that rats have been eradicated it is hoped that the ecosystem of Denis Island will be enhanced still further. Endemic birds such as Seychelles Warbler and Seychelles Magpie-robin may be introduced in the very near future and there are other plans to increase the value of the island for Seychelles and for visitors alike.

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