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There where many other different birds in the air, two beautiful brown birds of different sizes, both with white on their heads. I’d no idea what they were, but I was already getting the bug, I needed to find out. After asking people and looking at books, these birds turn out to be brown and lesser noddies, local names, kelek and makwa. I later found out, through a volunteer called Mickey, that Aride had the largest population of kelek in the world. Mickey taught me a lot about birds, he helped me with the shore birds or waders as they are called, some of which are really difficult to tell apart. Waders are mainly small migratory birds that travel massive distances from one continent to another, at certain times they visit the Seychelles. I really think it’s the waders that got me interested in birds, and made me a mad birder! After one month on Aride, I started to get more and more familiar with the wildlife here. It’s not just birds; Aride is alive with many different creatures, it has the densest population of skinks (three different types) in the world, and they are everywhere, I felt the island was paradise.

In my early days on Aride, the accommodation was not up to much, asbestos on the roof that leaked in the rain; but luckily they were replaced quite quickly. Over the years the facilities have got a lot better, a new visitor’s shelter, (after one of El Niño’s big waves flattened the old one) a new office and conservation room, with a shop so we can sell souvenirs to the guests. One of the big improvements was the installation of diesel generators, this allowed us to have a fridge and a freezer, and this has made life for everyone living on the island a lot better. All the houses will have a major refit later this year; we will have running water in the kitchen, and a hot shower to get the sand off after a hard day’s work.

It is hoped that solar power will replace diesel in the future, making the island cleaner and more sustainable.

Very soon the ownership of Aride will pass from the European organisation The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, to Seychelles’ organisation The Island Conservation Society. I think this will be a good step forward and hopefully give ownership to the people of Seychelles. One of my big hopes for Aride is that, because it has some of the best wildlife in the world, it will soon become a world heritage site, the island deserves it.

Aride is for me the best place to work in the Seychelles. The people who work here care about the island, and want it to get even better, for people, as well as the wildlife. In my short time here Aride has come a long way, we still have a way to go, but I am confident we will get there and Aride will be known as one of the very best nature reserves in the world.

If you want to see what I mean, call Aride Island on 321600 or 719778 to come and visit us, we open at 10am from Sunday to Thursday, and it is free for Seychellois.

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

By Regis Tiatousse