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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

ISLAND CONSERVATION-Why watch birds? |17 January 2005

ISLAND CONSERVATION-Why watch birds?

No equipment necessary -- colourful birds like the Madagascar Fody are everywhere

Apart from humans, it will probably be a whole lot longer before you see a mammal and even then what are the options? Bats (only one species likely), rats (now no one watches those do they?) or domestic pets (hardly ideal subjects). You certainly won’t see a turtle unless you are very lucky and live in the right place and you won’t see fish either (well not live ones at least).

In terms of variety, there are just enough bird species to make identification enjoyable and satisfying. In Seychelles we have 65 breeding species, while another 150 or so migratory ones have been recorded. Just a nice number to get to grips with. Compare this to other animal groups. Take turtles for example.

With apologies to Jeanne Mortimer, they are a bit boring aren’t they? I mean, there’s only two species in Seychelles that you’re ever likely to see. Yes, I know there’s the loggerhead but that’s only a cross between a green and a hawksbill isn’t it? As for leatherbacks, I’m not sure they even exist. I’ve never seen one. How can you constantly get excited about just two species? “Ooo look this one has got a beak like a parrot and this one hasn’t, how exciting!” Yes, I’m all in favour of saving them from extinction, but it’s hard to get the enthusiasm to rush out and actually see one. Unless your name is Jeanne Mortimer, I suppose.

Well if you want lots of variety, how about insects? With apologies to Pat Matyot, apart from the obvious exceptions, they are a pretty ugly bunch of yucky, creepy crawlies aren’t they? Also while there are too few mammals or turtles, there are far too many insects. Did you know that 290,000 species of beetle alone have been identified compared to only 10,000 birds? Who on earth could sort that lot out? Who on earth would want to?

Those colourful marine fish score more highly in the beauty stakes, don’t they? But with so many hundreds of similar species you really have to work hard to sort them out. With apologies to David Rowat, who can be bothered? Also, it’s a little difficult to take your identification guide underwater. Yes, I know that there are those handy little plastic charts but it’s so frustrating that most of what you see isn’t on them.

Going diving to see the fish means getting geared up in all that crazy fancy dress and breathing through a glorified sink plunger rammed down your throat. Is that fun? I don’t think so.

I’ve got another thing against fish too, they always look so miserable. Have you ever seen a fish smile? Birds on the other hand can appear filled with joy or sadness. Give me birds every time. The thrill of identification is there while simultaneously you appreciate their beauty, their diversity and their sheer joy at being alive. That brings me to reason number 3 to watch birds: they are more like us than any other creatures on earth. I’ll tell you why next week.

Island Conservation Society promotes the conservation and restoration of island ecosystems.

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