The future for one of the most endangered endemic birds in Seychelles, the Magpie-robin, is looking bright, say environmentalists.

According to recent reports by the Seychelles Magpie-robin Recovery Team (SMART), the birds' populations on Cousin and Cousine are at "carrying" or full capacity, characterised by zero or little population growth and the occasional emigration.

Fifteen robins were also moved from Frégate to Aride Island in early 2002 to seed a new population there. After a shaky beginning, the Aride population is now on the increase and Frégate is probably already full again, the reports say.

Emigration from one of the Magpie-robin's four island homes has also been a positive sign for the health of the species' population, according to the reports.

According to Nature Seychelles science coordinator Rachel Bristol, a young Magpie-robin, identified as coming from Cousine by its unique colour ring combination, was spotted at Anse Boudin on Praslin by children last weekend. 

Dr Mike Hill, science consultant for Nature Seychelles, confirmed that the robin was still at Anse Boudin later in the week.

"It is the fifth known instance of robins emigrating from Cousine to either Praslin or Cousin.  All have been young 1-year-old females, presumably looking for a territory and mate of their own instead of having to share," says Ms Bristol.

"What the robins need to further safeguard their future are more islands free of rats and cats," she explains. 

Ms Bristol however notes that finding predator-free islands in the inner islands of Seychelles that have plenty of plateau forest -- the ideal magpie-robin habitat -- is not easy, adding that only the islands of Denis and North may be considered suitable in the near future.

"Denis Island has eradicated cats and rats in 2001 and 2002 and an initial assessment indicates that the habitat is suitable for robins," she explains.

North Island is currently eradicating its predators and plans to undertake major habitat restoration involving the removal of alien plants and replacing them with native vegetation, she adds.

The objective of the Magpie-robin recovery programme is to restore populations to seven islands with a minimum of 200 birds by 2006.

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