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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Eight Active White Tailed Tropic Nests Found During BNT Assessment:
During their assessment, the BNT team found eight active White Tailed Tropic bird nests with pre-fledging chicks and adults. The nests were found under coastal scrub vegetation, stone crevices and overhangs in the Reserve. Tilloo Cay Reserve was established 1990 to protect a pristine natural environment including important nesting habitats for seabirds, as the shoreline of the cay is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, and this recent assessment shows that the reserve is serving its purpose. Pictured is a White Tailed Tropic in one of the nests.
(Photo courtesy of BNT)
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Abaco, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has a keen interest in protecting and conserving the seabirds of The Bahamas. To help advance in this mission, the BNT recently conducted an assessment on the White-Tailed Tropic birds in Abaco. The assessments took place in the Tilloo Cay Reserve, one of 6 national parks on Abaco. The team located several successful nests during the exercise.
“These assessments are conducted on an annual basis during breeding season to assess the breeding population and determine nesting successes of the White-tailed Tropic bird” said David Knowles, Director of Parks. “This assessment provided a great deal of insight on the birds, and is confirmed that there is still successful breeding occurring in the Reserve.”
During their assessment, the BNT team found eight active White Tailed Tropic bird nests with pre-fledging chicks and adults. The nests were found under coastal scrub vegetation and overhangs, and in stone crevices and in the Reserve.
Tilloo Cay Reserve was established 1990 to protect a pristine natural environment including important nesting habitats for seabirds. This recent assessment shows that the reserve is serving its purpose, as the birds are nesting successfully. In addition to being an important breeding and nesting site for the White Tailed Tropic, Tilloo Cay Reserve is also a breeding ground and nesting site for other tropic birds, the yellow-crowned night heron, several species of terns and other seabirds.
Tilloo Cay Reserve Provides a Great Habitat for Seabirds:
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has a keen interest in protecting and conserving the birds in The Bahamas, and to aid in this mission, the BNT recently did an assessment on the White Tailed Tropic birds in Abaco. The assessments were done on Tilloo Cay Reserve last month, and several nests were found. Pictured is the BNT team surveying one of the nests that were found.
(Photo courtesy of BNT)
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“Despite this good news, BNT concerned about the predation. While it is possible this may have been natural from a bird of prey, it is also possible that feral cats may still be on the island and are attacking the birds. We are asking all residents to help us preserve this sanctuary and to advise us if they see any cats in the area where the birds nest,” said Knowles. “Abaco residents are keen to support our parks and we hope together to keep Tilloo Cay’s birds breeding successfully.”
The BNT is currently working with the National Audubon Society, the largest Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to protecting birds, and several other international agencies to broaden bird-based tourism in The Bahamas, and these White Tailed Tropic birds are a great sight to see for potential bird watchers. To learn more about Tilloo Cay Reserve, visit the BNT website at http://www.bnt.bs//_m1731/The-National-Parks-of-The-Bahamas/Tilloo-Cay-Reserve
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