The Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher puts on a spectacle for visitors highlighting conservation efforts |11 June 2018

Found nesting in a small juvenile Bwa Blan tree, height of 1.35m, a pair of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher had chosen to build their home on a Bwa Blan tree, which was planted five years ago.

From the start of building the nest, daily monitoring was conducted by the resident ranger to ensure a successful fledging.

Many visitors visiting the Veuve Reserve during the month of February and March 2018, had the chance to appreciate this interesting nesting site, barely 1m from the footpath and they were very amazed to see a nest so low.

Children from the club “Friends of Flycatcher” also participated in monitoring the activities.

This is a real conservation success story after years of intensive restoration programme of tree planting in the Veuve Special Reserve.

Every year trees are planted in the reserve to improve the habitat of this endangered species.

There has been a shift in the species planted as Takamaka wilt disease made the planting of Takamaka a preferred plant for the Veuve unviable. 

With the high rate of development on the plateau of La Digue, the Veuve Reserve is holding the last remaining significant number of territories. 

With the expansion of the reserve (expected to be completed this year) more habitats will be set aside for this iconic bird of La Digue.

This story is a demonstration that conservation efforts are working.

It is also a reminder that if we continue to not take care of the birds throughout their ranges, protected areas will eventually be the only places where the birds will be able to continue to survive.

Contributed by SNPA