No sign of introduced Madagascar fodies on Aldabra promising for eradication success |09 January 2017
After three consecutive seasons of intensive eradication of introduced Madagascar fodies in the Takamaka region of Grande Terre, Aldabra, and two previous follow-up trips, the SIF (Seychelles Islands Foundation) team were confident that there were few, if any, Madagascar fodies remaining on the atoll. However, further monitoring was needed to confirm this.
The eradication activities took place over three breeding seasons between January 2013 and April 2015 and post-eradication trips were conducted in October 2015, and April 2016. During the follow-up trips fine-scale surveys were done in areas of and around former Madagascar fody occurrence. No Madagascar fodies were detected on either of these expeditions. The third follow-up trip was made in November 2016, and promisingly, once again no Madagascar fodies were detected. The team did spot a few fodies which appeared to be hybrids of Madagascar and Aldabra fodies, which are known to occur in the area of former Madagascar fody presence. Reassuringly, the team observed the endemic Aldabra fody population to be abundant across the area and all bird sightings were confidently identified with no ambiguity over species identification.
The latest survey team consisted of four members of staff. Observations were used to detect and identify Madagascar fodies, primarily by extensive slow walking or sweep surveys and stationary observations. The team was led by Senior Field Research Assistant, Terence Mahoune, who has spent several seasons on the Takamaka eradication. The other team members included the Aldabra Science Coordinator, April Burt; Marvin Roseline, Aldabra Logistic Assistant; and SIF volunteer, Rosie Gordon.
The aim of this visit was specifically to search for the presence of any remaining Madagascar fodies in the Takamaka region. The team targeted priority areas, focusing on locations where Madagascar fodies had previously been sighted or caught. After three dedicated follow-up trips and no sign of a Madagascar fody, we are feeling fairly confident that this invasive species no longer occurs on Aldabra. A fourth post-eradication trip is planned later in the season, and should this trip yield no sign of Madagascar fodies, we hope that we will soon be able to declare the eradication a success.
