FEATURE


In 2010 the team monitored 25 nests in trees and cliffs. The pairs using these nests produced 76 eggs, six of which were lost to predators and a further 22 failed to hatch. Of the 48, which hatched, four died, nine disappeared, four were taken by a cat and six were poached. In the end 25 fledged from 15 different nests. Sam Williams and his colleagues


In 2010 the team monitored 25 nests in trees and cliffs. The pairs using these nests produced 76 eggs, six of which were lost to predators and a further 22 failed to hatch. Of the 48, which hatched, four died, nine disappeared, four were taken by a cat and six were poached. In the end 25 fledged from 15 different nests.


have set up a foundation in Bonaire, which is called Echo. This name was inspired by Sam’s long involvement with the parrot conservation project in Mauritius for the Mauritius Parakeet (Psittacula echo). Through hands- on conservation management the Mauritius Parakeet recovered from a population of only 5 birds in the 1990s to more than 500 today. Sam and his team hope to emulate this on Bonaire.


The on-going Bonaire rescue operation This important objective caused Sam and his team to react quickly when the national park administration (STINAPA) sent an urgent call to


BIRD SCENE 11


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