Page 14 - IFV March Issue 2025

Estate News

SAVING MARION ISLAND’S SEA BIRDS

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ANTHONY CAVANAGH
T he Prince Edward fourth such voyage aboard

consist
the MSC Musica which sailed
islands
of
small,
uninhabited two volcanic from Durban on 24 January
2025 and arrived off Marion
islands in the southern Island three days later.
Indian Ocean that lie almost Approximately half of the
halfway between South birders on board were from
Africa and Antarctica. They overseas and the bow and
are administered by South stern of the ship, as well as
Africa and have been the open decks, were bustling
declared special nature with birders keen to spot
reserves, with activities the various birds and take as
being restricted to research and conservation. The two many photos as possible. Photographs are often the best way
islands, namely Marion Island and Prince Edward Island, to positively identify some of smaller bird species such as the
are a haven for sea birds, with at least 30 different species Prions, Storm petrels and Shearwaters.
breeding there. To assist in bird identification, Bird Life SA employed the
The islands are located at a latitude of 46.5 degrees south, services of 65 top authorities on seabirds and marine mammals
in an area known as the ‘roaring forties’ because of the gale who, on a roster system, were seated on the open port and
force winds prevalent in these southern regions. Albatross in starboard decks and observation areas on the bow and stern
particular use these strong winds to glide effortlessly above of the ship. These experts quickly spotted and identified the
the ocean. Average temperatures are in single digits, with the birds as they flew past the ship, thus enabling the rest of us to
wind chill factor adding to the cold. record each sighting.
Five species of Albatross including the Wandering, Dark- Well attended lectures were given most days on board by
mantled (Sooty), Light-mantled, Indian yellow-nosed and renowned experts in their field who had spent much time on
Grey-headed Albatross breed there, as well as fourteen species Marion Island. In particular Peter Harrison MBE, and Peter Ryan,
of Petrel, four species of Prion and four species of Penguin. both authors of numerous books on the subject, showed many
The smaller Prince Edward Island is rodent free but the photographs of birds taken on the island. Some have no fear of
larger Marion Island is infested with house mice which were man and will allow the researchers to approach closely for the
inadvertently introduced to the island by whalers and sealers purpose of ringing the birds or placing small tracking devices
in the 1800’s. on their backs to monitor their flights across the oceans. Photos
The mice are having a serious effect on the breeding birds, of birds that had been attacked by mice were also shown, and it
both adults and their chicks, and many have succumbed to was heart-breaking to see the dead and dying birds.
predation by the mice. Cats were introduced to Marion Island The plan to eradicate mice on Marion Island has been based
in a misguided attempt to solve the problem, but they too on scientific research and practical experience. Certain islands
attacked the birds. By the 1990’s, the cats had been eradicated off New Zealand, for instance, have been cleared of mice using
but the mouse population continues to increase. It is estimated a specially formulated rodenticide bait. Marion Island, at 30
that 19 of the bird species breeding on the island may become 000 hectares, is considerably larger than other such islands
locally extinct if the mouse problem is not resolved. and the eradication plan entails using helicopters that will
Bird Life South Africa, together with the Department of spread the bait released from buckets below the helicopters.
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, have implemented This will ensure that every potential mouse area is covered
a project called the Mouse Free Marion (MFM) Project which with the bait because for the plan to be successful, all the mice
although currently still in the planning phase, aims to raise have to be eradicated in one attempt.
enough money to eradicate the mice. To this end, Bird Life The birders on Flock 25 raised over a million rand towards
SA has, over the past few years, booked four sea voyages to the MFM project, which still however, requires further funds
Marion Island specifically for keen birders from all over the before the eradication process can commence.
world to see the birds and to raise funds for the MFM project. For further information on the project please visit www.
Sue and I joined 1900 other keen birders on Flock 25, the mousefreemarion.org

12 • March 2025 • The Villager