Important Areas St Helena Tony Prater Richard Allen Richard Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae Abstract St Helena is a remote, volcanic island in the tropical South Atlantic. Before human settlers arrived, a range of habitats developed and the island supported six endemic landbirds and three endemic . Human settlement had a devastating impact on St Helena and the Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae is the only endemic bird species that remains. St Helena has two Important Bird Areas, North-east St Helena and South-west St Helena, both incorporating areas for the Wirebird and for communities. The island is a UK Overseas Territory, and the UK Government has funded a major project to build the island’s first airport. Construction is currently under way, and is intended to provide the platform for a substantial increase in both the resident and the tourist population, with the long-term aim of reducing the importance of UK subsidies in the island’s economy. Efforts to ensure that important habitats and species are not further degraded will be of the utmost importance in the coming years.

he UK Overseas Territory of St Helena area of 121.7 km2 and was created by a series (15°58’S 5°43’W) is nothing if not of volcanic eruptions between 8 and 14+ Tremote: it lies some 1,800 km west of million years bp from hotspots on the abyssal Angola and 3,250 km east of Brazil, while the plain, close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The nearest land mass is Ascension Island, 1,300 island’s age and its altitude, which rises to km to the northwest. The island has a surface 820 m, have resulted in a wide range of

638 © British 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena conditions suitable for different habitats to ture, which generally varies between 22°C develop. Within about 2 km of the island the and 26°C through the year, is at the lower seas are shallow – around 100 m deep – but limit for tropical seas. beyond 2 km the ocean floor drops rapidly, When first discovered, the island had an to around 3,600 m. extensive natural fauna and flora with a well- Although St Helena is well within the developed cover of low trees and shrubs. tropics, the climate is greatly influenced by Much of the invertebrate fauna appears to the prevailing winds and currents. The island have originated in Africa but the extant rela- lies within the southeast trade winds and is at tives of many of the plants are spread widely the northern edge of the cold Benguela around the southern hemisphere and it is Current, which sweeps up from the southern thought that some could have arrived oceans. Consequently, the island is warm but through colonisation events from the Pacific not conventionally tropical and the pre- islands. The impact of human settlement was vailing southeasterlies bring plenty of humid dramatic and resulted in the vast majority of air with regular but relatively light rainfall, the endemic wildlife being destroyed or ranging from a mean annual 1,050 mm on driven to the point of . Of the ter- the central ridge to 175 mm in the driest restrial birds, six were endemic: one, a large, areas. The main rainfall periods are in Feb- ground-living pigeon, became extinct before ruary–March and again in June–July. The humans arrived, but a further four – two variation in temperature across the island flightless rails, a predominantly ground- depends largely on altitude, with mean living hoopoe and a cuckoo – were driven to minimum temperatures at sea level varying extinction. Just one, the Wirebird Charadrius from 20° to 24°C and the mean maximum sanctaehelenae, survives to this day. A similar ranging from 21.8°C to 26.5°C at sea level pattern of loss can be traced among the and 14.5° to 18.5°C at 600 m. seabirds (see below). Most of the flora that The productivity of the seas is relatively survived was confined to the higher and low because the cooler, nutrient-rich waters wetter areas of the central ridge or on near- are trapped below warmer water, although vertical rock faces where rabbits and goats there is some upwelling of nutrients nearby could not reach it. The specialist invertebrate from the Benguela Current. The sea tempera- fauna is associated with native vegetation or Tony Marr Tony 370. Approaching St Helena from the south, April 2005.

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the semi-desert habitats in the south of the and marine environment. Recent changes island and few species have extended their have seen the establishment of an Environ- range to introduced plants. mental Management Directorate (EMD), St Helena was first discovered in 1502 by which is currently developing a management Portuguese sailors returning from , for plan for the island’s environment including whom it provided a valuable staging post. the new Nature Conservation Areas identi- Pigs and goats were quickly introduced, fol- fied in a revised Development Control Plan lowed by a wide range of edible fruits and through the Planning Department. Agricul- vegetables. For the next 120 years there were ture and its support is covered by the Agri- just small numbers of inhabitants, before the culture and Natural Resources Directorate Dutch laid claim to the island in 1633. The (ANRD). Elected representatives form two East India Company took over and developed overseeing committees (ExCo and LegCo) the island from 1649 and from then on, with and there is an appointed Governor from the just a brief intervention by the Dutch, it UK who has additional overriding powers. In remained in the hands of the East India addition, the St Helena National Trust Company until 1834, when it was transferred (SHNT), a charity but supported by legisla- to the British Government. Throughout this tion, has a wide brief relating to all aspects of period it was used to resupply vessels and act protection and management of the natural as a naval rendezvous. Since then, apart from and built heritage and landscape. a number of attempts to produce an export The key references to St Helena and its income, it has essentially been supported by birds are Rowlands et al. (1998), Ashmole & UK subsidies – and this is a key reason for Ashmole (2000), Rowlands (2001) and the development (now under way) of the McCulloch (2004). Much of the information island’s first airport. presented here is a digest from these publica- The St Helena Government (SHG) pro- tions, updated with more recent research and vides the administrative structure that observations. protects and manages the island’s terrestrial © Fluke Art © Fluke Fig. 1. St Helena, showing the sites and areas referred to in this paper.

640 British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena Edward Thorpe Edward 371. Turk’s Cap – a view of the arid, volcanic southern coastline of St Helena, February 2010. Island habitats putting pressure on the native species here Much of the island has been severely modi- and major programmes are under way to try fied by human activities and the few natural to reduce the area they cover and to restore habitats that remain show clear signs of endemic species. degradation. It is critical that efforts to ensure To the south and east of the Peaks that important habitats and species are not National Park are a series of mostly cattle- degraded further should be among the grazed dry grass pastures, many of which highest of the island’s and the UK’s priorities. have been undergrazed for many years and as The island is almost completely fringed by a result have been increasingly invaded by steep, high cliffs, often with near-vertical non-native woody shrubs including Lantana faces of 300 m or so. Inland of these cliffs is a Lantana camara, Wild Mango, Wild Coffee band of deeply incised semi-desert with Chrysanthemoides monilifera, Poison Peach which much of the remnant endemic flora is Diospyros dichrophylla, Gorse Ulex europaeus still associated. Rapidly spreading Wild and trees, especially Bermudan Cedar Mango Schinus terebinthifolius, Hottentot-fig Juniperus bermudiana. These pastures are Carpobrotus edulis, African Fountain Grass important breeding areas for the Wirebird. Pennisetum setaceum and other introduced The rest of the interior is known as the species are a threat to its integrity. Green Heartland and provides a striking con- Along one semi-circular ridge of a volcanic trast with the dry semi-desert; it is mostly shield in the south of the island, the land rises grass pasture (frequently dominated by Gorse to 820 m. This ridge, the Peaks National Park, and increasingly Whiteweed Austroeupato- catches the prevailing wind and is frequently rium inulaefolium) and non-native conifers, in cloud with mostly light rain. As a conse- nestling among the steep valleys cut through quence, it is relatively undeveloped and many the soft volcanic soils. Only in the exceptional of the endemic ferns, grasses and some of the habitats of waterfalls and drier pastures are low trees have persisted, despite the sweeping there any significant remnants of the invasion of New Zealand Flax Phormium endemic flora and fauna. tenax (introduced as a cash crop, mainly from Two Important Bird Areas were identified the 1870s). Many other invasive plants are on St Helena, both incorporating areas for

British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 641 Prater Edward Thorpe Edward 372. Longwood fields – an urban area with golf course, market-garden fields, dry grassland and scrub, December 2010. the Wirebird and for seabird communities, in (NCA). The NCAs will cover the most particular the Red-billed Tropicbird important Wirebird and seabird areas and Phaethon aethereus. These are North-east St management plans will be developed. They Helena and South-west St Helena (Rowlands will not cover all areas where the Wirebird is 2006b). However, following a long run of found but they should provide a mechanism detailed surveys, SHG has decided to intro- to ensure better management and therefore duce a new conservation and landscape des- long-term survival in key areas. The NCAs ignation, the National Conservation Area will be located within the existing IBAs. Edward Thorpe Edward 373. Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus, with Jamestown castle as a backdrop, November 2010.

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The only endemic bird surviving: pasture from the clifftops. One important the Wirebird concentration breeds in wet pasture at the The Wirebird, or St Helena Plover, is a small edge of the Green Heartland, at Broad Charadrius plover, closely related to and no Bottom. That site apart, the main concentra- doubt evolved from the widespread Kittlitz’s tions are on the dry pasture at Deadwood Plover C. pecuarius of Africa. In comparison Plain (by far the most important site for the with the latter it has much longer legs (hence species), at Bottom Woods, Woody Ridge and the name), a longer bill, rather more rounded on the southwest point at Man and Horse wings and is slightly larger and paler, with just and Southern Pastures. The main semi-desert a light salmon wash to its white underparts. concentrations are around the Prosperous The Wirebird has probably never been Bay Plain complex (where the airport is to be abundant, previous estimates suggesting that built) and Horse Point. In the past, birds the population was formerly between 100 were much more widespread but many of the and 1,000 birds. However, it was not until breeding sites in the northwest of the island, 1988/89 that the first detailed census was around Half Tree Hollow, are now mostly made (McCulloch 1991, 1992), which found under urban sprawl. 425 adults. Sporadic counts were made there- Studies by McCulloch (1991, 1992), after (McCulloch & Norris 2001, 2002; McCulloch & Norris (2001, 2002) and McCulloch 2006) until 2007, when regular recently by Burns (2011) and the SHNT have counts were started through the SHNT, looked at various aspects of the ecology and organised by their Wirebird Conservation breeding biology of the Wirebird. If the two- Officer. The counts of adults are shown in fig. egg clutch is to be left, the sitting bird covers 2. A steep decline was noted between 2001 the eggs with dried vegetation; but despite and 2006 but since 2007 numbers have fluc- this, the loss of clutches is high and survival tuated around a mean of 361 adults. As a to fledging is very low. Studies using nest result of the sharp decrease between 2001 cameras have identified a range of intro- and 2006, the species was classified as Criti- duced predators at the nests, principally cats cally Endangered by BirdLife International (feral and domestic) and rats (mostly Brown (Thompson 2007); it remains precariously Rats Rattus norvegicus but possibly also Black placed. Rats R. rattus). The relative density of cats in Most of the Wirebirds breed on the dry an area is a good predictor of Wirebird nest pasture areas that form a large semi-circle in survival for that area, and across the island the south of the island, while most of the rest only about 0.1 chicks are expected to fledge are found in semi-desert that separates the from each nest. Fortunately, adult Wirebird

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

Fig. 2. Whole-island counts (no. of adults) of the St Helena Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae, 1989–2012.

British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 643 Prater Edward Thorpe Edward 374. A St Helena Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae, in semi-desert habitat with encroaching Hottentot-fig Carpobrotus edulis, October 2009. survival is high. Nonetheless, mammalian Wirebird productivity, to develop efficient predators appear to play an important role in and cost-effective predator management. Wirebird population dynamics (Burns 2011). Wirebird territories are characterised by Two interlinked studies, supported by Defra, flat areas with short vegetation and bare the Overseas Territories Environmental Pro- ground and there is a correlation between gramme and the RSPB, are currently under fluctuations in Wirebird density over time way to look at the implications and effective- and habitat change; habitat change is likely to ness of predator control. The studies are have been a major contributor to the species’ focusing on the interaction between the decline at the start of the twenty-first two main predators (i.e. cats and rats) and century. Tony Prater Tony Edward Thorpe Edward 375. Female Wirebird breeding on Bottom 376. Wirebird chick, a few days old, October Woods, January 2009. 2009.

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Seabirds steep cliffs as the only predator-free breeding Excavation and analysis of bone deposits in areas. Only the St Helena is the south of the island have shown that there known to have become extinct before the was formerly a substantial number of arrival of humans. seabirds breeding on the island. Bourne Of the seabirds that bred in the past, there (1990) put the population at several million are occasional sightings offshore of a small and detailed studies by Olson (1975) and black-and-white shearwater that has not Lewis (2008) identified three presumed been identified conclusively, while a bird cap- endemic species that no longer exist. These tured inland on 22nd February 1976 (and were a Pterodroma (rupinarum), a presumed probably heard in the same area in January (bifax) and a shearwater Puffinus 1978) appears to have been an Audubon’s (pacificoides); in addition, remains of four Shearwater. There is one confirmed record of extant seabirds were identified: Audubon’s a White-faced Storm-: during a ringing Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri, Great session on Egg Island on 23rd July 2009 a Fregata minor and Lesser Frigatebird F. ariel, recently fledged bird was captured. This was and White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma considered likely to have fledged on Egg marina. Many of these species would have Island (Bolton et al. 2010). There have been bred on the open, semi-desert habitats in the further unconfirmed sightings near George southern half of the island prior to its dis- Island and offshore since then. covery by humans, but with the introduction Three other records show the potential of of predators they were soon extirpated, St Helena to hold surprises. The finding of a leaving small offshore islands and stacks plus recently killed adult and juvenile Bulwer’s

Seabirds recorded on St Helena since 1980 BOX 1 Breeding birds Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii – has bred but is very rare White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina – newly fledged juvenile in 2009 is only record but probables have been seen by fishermen offshore Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro – population not known but probably 100–200 pairs Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus – probably <100 pairs Masked Booby Sula dactylatra – 200+ pairs Brown Booby Sula leucogaster – occasional breeder Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus – much reduced, from c. 200 in the 1980s to <10 pairs Brown Noddy Anous stolidus – probably 200–400 pairs on islands Black Noddy Anous minutus – estimates of 3,000+ pairs White Tern Gygis alba – probably 300–400 pairs Migrants and vagrants Wandering Diomedea exulans – one, off Rupert’s Bay, February 1988 Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus – one, 12th July 2005, in Rupert’s Bay Murphy’s Petrel Pterodroma ultima – at least twice in March 1988, possibly in other years Puffinus griseus – storm-driven bird at Longwood, 18th October 1983 Audubon’s/Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri/baroli – occasional sightings of probables White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus – one, 13th June 2005, at Speery Cap Red-footed Booby Sula sula – occasional, the latest on 11th March 2011 at Castle Rock Ascension Frigatebird Fregata aquila – singles on 21st December 2002 and 11th March 2011 on George Island Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus – 10–30 roost in James Bay in winter Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus – up to 100+ roost in James Bay in winter Kelp Gull dominicanus – an immature in James Bay on 16th October 2007

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March 1988; it, or others, had been heard several times in the late 1980s (Row- lands & Trueman 1999). Today, the small offshore islands and rock stacks and the cliffs of the main island hold the breeding colonies of seabirds that feral cats cannot reach. Red- billed Tropicbird and Madeiran Storm- petrel Oceanodroma

Edward Thorpe Edward castro are the most 377. Shore Island – one of the offshore islets that form important, significant species. predator-free nesting sites for seabirds, photographed here from Gill Point, September 2007. St Helena holds the most southerly Petrel Bulweria bulwerii in a cat lair at Gill breeding colonies in the Atlantic Ocean for Point in early February 1995 (Ashmole et al. these two species (and the same is true of the 1999) and the capture of an adult with a Black Noddy Anous minutus). The Red-billed brood patch on Egg Island on 28th July 2011 Tropicbirds breed predominantly on the (Oppel et al. 2012) give rise to hopes that a tallest and steepest cliffs on the west and small number of Bulwer’s are south coasts. They are among the first birds breeding on the cliffs or small, predator-free to greet visitors arriving by sea into James islands. Even more intriguing was the capture Bay. of an all-dark Pterodroma petrel, considered The Masked Booby Sula dactylatra has to have been a Murphy’s Petrel P. ultima, in bucked the general trend of declining seabird Edward Thorpe Edward 378. Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra are newly colonising the mainland of St Helena; October 2009.

646 British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena populations on St Helena. The first breeding BOX 2 records were in the mid 1980s (Rowlands et Breeding landbirds al. 1998) and some 200 were seen around of St Helena George and Shore Islands in the 1990s but Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar few of these were breeding birds. From 2009, Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus however, a number of pairs have bred on the Moorhen Gallinula chloropus tops of ridges on the mainland near ’s Wirebird Charadrius sanctahelenae Wife’s Ponds; by 2011 over 150 adults were Feral Pigeon Columba livia present with 40 pairs breeding successfully Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata (Bolton et al. 2011; EMD data). Indian Myna Acridotheres tristis The Madeiran Storm-petrel breeds solely Madagascar Fody Foudia madagascariensis on offshore islands, particularly Egg Island, Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora though kills have been found in cat’s lairs on Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild the main island and it is likely that birds try Yellow Canary Serinus flaviventris to breed on the cliffs at times. For many years it was assumed that there was a single Jamestown, where they even breed in trees breeding season, from late September to late over the Main Street and in Castle Gardens; December, but recent studies have shown the population is probably at least 300–400 that a large proportion of birds breed pairs. between late March and early July and that this ‘double breeding season’ is constant Breeding landbirds between years (Bennett et al. 2009). This The Wirebird apart, the landbird fauna of St raises the possibility that, like some other Helena is impoverished; it has one species Madeiran Storm-petrel colonies farther considered to be indigenous and nine species north, the double-peak may signal sufficient that have been introduced. The Moorhen genetic diversity for specific separation Gallinula chloropus has substantial powers of (Bolton et al. 2008; Friesen et al. 2007). flight and is likely to have reached St Helena The most obvious seabird on St Helena is without assistance; a small population of the White Tern Gygis alba, which breeds perhaps no more than 20 pairs is associated widely on the cliffs and also nests on mostly with the island’s permanent water- branches of trees throughout the island. No courses and some small reservoirs. The pro- detailed study has been made of the inland posed Ramsar site of Fisher’s Valley, which population but it is not unusual to see runs below Longwood, and Sandy Bay stream 50–100 birds over the woodland above Sandy are the most reliable sites for the species. Most Bay and a similar number below Plantation of the non-native passerines are quite House and a further 50 or so around numerous and found over much of the island.

Vagrant landbirds recorded on St Helena, other than BOX 3 Cattle Egret, with confirmed records since Rowlands (2001) Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii – singles, 9th October 2011 and 6th January 2012, first for St Helena Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides – one, 9th–23rd (at least) August 2012 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea – one, 17th March 2003; one, 3rd May to 10th June 2009 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea – one, 25th October 2009, first for St Helena White Stork Ciconia ciconia – singles, 2nd October 2007, 17th March to 5th April 2011 Striped Crake Aenigmatolimnas marginalis – adult female, January 2007, first record for St Helena Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni – singles, 26th April 2001, 22nd April 2004, 14th December 2006, 14th January 2007 American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica – one, 1st May 2002 American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica – one, 24th–31st January 2007 Swift sp. Apus apus/barbatus – two, 29th January 2012

British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 647 Prater Tony Prater Tony 379. Southern Pastures – dry grassland with extensive invasive woody plants, which is becoming less suitable for the Wirebird, February 2011. Vagrant landbirds Springett 2007; Hillman & Clingham 2012; Since the island is so far away from conti- EMD database) and recent records are sum- nental land masses, it is not surprising that marised in Box 3. relatively few birds reach St Helena. The most regular by far is the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Other important flora and fauna and small flocks of this cosmopolitan species As with so many isolated islands there are no have been recorded. Vagrants from both endemic mammals, land reptiles or amphib- Africa and South America have occurred ians. The seas around the island do support a (Rowlands et al. 1998; Rowlands 2001, 2006a; small number of Sharks Rhincodon Edward Thorpe Edward 380. Prosperous – the site of the new St Helena airport on the semi-desert habitat just inland from the east coast, May 2009.

648 British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena typus during January to May, along with a zones. This included the Great Forest (pri- few hundred resident dolphins. Most of these marily of St Helena Gumwoods Commiden- are Pantropical Spotted Dolphins Stenella drum robustum) south of Longwood, which attenuata, but there are also a few Bot- is now being actively replanted. The high tlenosed Dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Hump- ridge of the island was dominated by St back Megaptera novaeangliae calve off Helena Tree Ferns Dicksonia arborescens the island between June and December. mixed with wet-tolerating tree Compositae There are regular sightings of Hawksbill such as He, She and Black Cabbage Eretmochelys imbricata and Green Turtles (Pladaroxylon leucadendron, Lachanodes Chelonia mydas; the latter has bred recently arborea and Melanodendrum integrifolium in Sandy Bay and it is hoped that it may respectively). Many of these may have had return to this former breeding site. their ancestors in South America although it Because of the island’s long history since is possible that they could have been in the the last volcanic eruption, it has received Mascarene Islands or even Australia. Another several waves of colonisation by plants and group of species to survive belongs to the insects (Ashmole & Ashmole 1998 estimated cocoa family and these were some of the that there may have been 30 colonising most spectacular flowering plants of the events for spiders (Araneae) and 23 for island: the St Helena Ebony Trochetiopsis beetles (Coleoptera)) with the result that, ebenus and the St Helena Redwood T. ery- when it was discovered in 1502, it would have throxylon have their nearest relatives in the had a very unfamiliar flora and, less obvi- Mascarene Islands and Madagascar. Both ously, fauna. Nowadays, the most likely have showy, trumpet-shaped flowers and are natural colonisations would be from the east, now being propagated in order to reintro- as a result of storm events and strong south- duce them to the wild. With several species easterly winds from Africa, but it is likely that down to their last few plants, much work has the original colonisers came from much been undertaken over the last ten years to farther afield. At the time of discovery, the halt the loss of the remaining endemic flora flora would have been very special, with a through projects by the ANRD and the huge radiation of Compositae that formed SHNT. much of the scrub and tree cover in the drier Although there is real hope that a Edward Thorpe Edward 381. The semi-desert at Prosperous; the bright green/orange mass is the invasive creeper Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot-fig), May 2009.

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renaissance of endemic flora is under way, the The threats to birds same cannot be said for the invertebrates. As with so many areas around the world, the Only a few, such as the endemic hoverfly threats faced by the wildlife of St Helena are Loveridgeana beattiei, have really adapted to threefold – introduced predators, economic the non-endemic plants. The majority of the development and habitat degradation. It does others are in semi-desert areas, where condi- not matter whether one is talking about tions are closer to those they would have birds, plants or invertebrates, the immediacy experi enced prior to the large-scale habitat of the problem is clear. losses. An outstanding, internationally impor- tant area is the Prosperous Bay Plain, where Introduced predators fine laval sediment supports a large range of For birds, the introduced predators, prima- endemic spiders and beetles. The other impor- rily cats and rats, pose the greatest immediate tant invertebrate area is on the high ridge, threat. The demographics of the Wirebird which includes the Peaks National Park, where population show that unless the species’ low specialist invertebrates that live in association productivity can be overcome, there is likely with the native flora have managed to survive. to be a slow but steady decrease in the popu- The two totemic endemic invertebrates are lation. The substantial feral cat population almost certainly extinct – anyone interested in has to be reduced or eliminated in order for invertebrates would love to find either the the population to prosper; although this Giant Earwig Labidura herculeana (up to sounds feasible, the island is large, complex 84 mm long) or the Giant Ground Beetle and has a relatively large human population Aplothorax burchelli (up to 38 mm long); both with improving access. There remain some were already very rare in the twentieth century issues about releases of unwanted cats into and the last known of both were collected in the wild. Fortunately, the Society for the the mid 1960s. While collection will not have Prevention of Cruelty to , the SHNT helped, it is likely that the loss of the cover of and the ANRD have combined to find ways the Great Wood followed by the rapid expan- of overcoming both the supply of cats and sion of the most likely predators (House the removal of feral cats. Rats remain a sig- Mouse Mus musculus and the centipede nificant problem in the countryside. Most of Scolopendra morsitans) meant they could not the targeted control is in urban areas and, in survive for long. recent years, efforts in the wider countryside Tony Prater Tony 382. Deadwood Plain from the Flagstaff track, showing the clearance of the grass paddocks in the middle distance and beyond under the mitigation project, January 2011.

650 British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena Tony Prater Tony 383. Millennium Forest, a newly planted area of endemic Gumwoods Commidendrum robustum on the site of the ancient Great Forest; a project of the St Helena National Trust, April 2006. have been scaled back, probably leading to an and jointly managed by ANRD, SHNT and increase in numbers. Exactly the same RSPB, to improve pastures so that they can problem is seen with the seabird populations hold more Wirebirds has just been com- on the main island, where feral cat predation pleted. However, the airport is merely the suppresses the population levels of most foundation of wider plans – which are for species. It is to be hoped that the lessons the current size of the resident population learnt from the control of cats in comparable of about 4,000 to more than double, and for circumstances on Ascension Island can be tourists to increase from around 800 to put to good use. 30,000 per annum. This will result in huge pressures on important wildlife areas, since Economic development this degree of expansion will mean a great Economic development and wildlife conser- increase in the supporting infrastructure. vation are not necessarily mutually exclusive Already there are permitted developments but, as in so many places, wildlife comes a for a major expansion of wind turbines and poor second place to development on St a huge hotel and golf course development Helena. The UK Government’s decision to on important Wirebird areas (some of fund a project costing over £200 million to which were in the mitigation area for the build an airport on St Helena is seen as the airport). However, the decision to proceed only possible way forward if the island is not means that the conservation bodies have to to remain dependent on UK subsidies, and work with SHG and developers to minimise the airport is scheduled to be completed and adverse effects and secure the best possible open in 2015. It is sited on an important outcome. Wirebird area and impinges on an inverte- brate hotspot. It is possible that some of the Habitat degradation airport’s negative impacts can be mitigated, Over the last 20 years there has been a rapid and a major project, funded by the Depart- spread of invasive plants on Wirebird pas- ment for International Development (DFID) tures and in the semi-desert, where the

British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 651 Prater species also breeds. Many areas are becoming Acknowledgments so overgrown that they are being abandoned I would like to thank my many friends and colleagues for traditional grazing or because the cost of for help on St Helena and allowing me to understand the pressures and opportunities there. In particular, in clearing them has become prohibitively relation to this account, thanks go to Rebecca Cairns- expensive. Together with the proposed Wicks, Elizabeth Clingham, Eddie Duff, Chris Hillman expansion in the human population (above), and Isabel Peters on St Helena, together with Mark this habitat loss is the other element of the Bolton, Fiona Burns, Steffen Oppel and Beau Rowlands for comments on the text. I am also grateful to Tony pincer movement that is likely to have a Marr and Edward Thorpe for allowing the use of their serious impact on Wirebirds in the medium photographs. term. References Endnote Ashmole, P., & Ashmole, M. 2000. St Helena and Ascension Island: a natural history. Anthony Nelson, Notwithstanding the threats outlined above, Oswestry. there are, however, some positive signs on St —, —, & Bourne, W. R. P. 1999. Bulwer’s Petrel Helena, for example: the Wirebird mitiga- Bulweria bulwerii on St Helena. Bull. BOC 119: tion project; the predator experiments and 91–94. Bennett, E., Bolton, M., & Hilton, G. 2009. moves to reduce feral cats; major work to Temporal segregation by breeding of storm-petrels propagate and replant endemic plants; Oceanodroma castro sensu lato on St Helena, South further research work on Wirebirds, seabirds Atlantic. Bull. BOC 129: 92–97. and invertebrates; a new flora, due to be Bolton, M., Watt, R., Ellick, G., & Scofield, P. 2010. Evidence of breeding of White-faced Storm-petrel published in late 2012; and, potentially, the Pelagodroma marina on St Helena Island, South strengthened EMD of SHG. Whether the Atlantic: a relict from human pre-colonisation or political will exists to prevent further loss vagrancy? Seabird 23: 135–138. —, —, Fowler, E., Henry, L., & Clingham, E. 2011. and restore some of the past losses is Re-colonisation and successful breeding of another matter, particularly when the pre- Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra on mainland vailing political mood is to prioritise eco- St Helena, South Atlantic, in the presence of nomic development. If you want to enjoy Feral Cats Felis catus. Seabird 24: 60–71. —, Smith, A. L., Gomez-Diaz, E., Friesen, V. L., Medeiros, this remote, peaceful and unspoilt island R., Bried, J., Roscales, J. L., & Furness, R. W. 2008. with its friendly people and special wildlife, Montiero’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma montieroi: then go now. a new species from the Azores. Ibis 150: 717–727.

How to get there and how to contribute records BOX 4 Access by aircraft will not be available before 2015, so presently the only way to reach St Helena remains by sea. The RMS St Helena (www.rms-st-helena.com) is the only passenger vessel and it runs between Ascension Island and Cape Town, via St Helena. Typically, the seas between Ascension and St Helena are pretty empty but the two-and-a-half-day voyage is relaxing. The longer six-day trip between Cape Town and St Helena provides much more seawatching, with flocks of Sabine’s Gulls Xema sabini off Cape Town. During June–August, many southern seabirds may be encountered and some will be with the RMS until just before St Helena hoves into view – Spectacled Petrels Procellaria conspicillata are quite often present and are probably the rarest of the seabirds that may be seen. But there can be up to five species of albatross and a wide range of petrels and . Some cruise ships also stop at the island, with the best of these being the nearly annual visit by the Atlantic Odyssey organised through Wildwings (www.wildwings.co.uk). Records of unusual birds are kept by SHG’s EMD but they can be sent via SHNT (www.nationaltrust.org.sh). When on the island, do remember that the fenced land is generally agricultural grazing land and is not open access. With the pressures on the island’s habitats and wildlife, the most positive thing which visitors can do is to visit the SHNT in the Main Street (just up from the Castle Gardens on the left-hand side) in Jamestown and sponsor one of the projects or, even better, join the Trust (e-mail [email protected]). The Trust can also advise, as can SHG’s tourism office, on where to see Wirebirds and who to approach for boat trips to see the seabirds/sealife.

652 British Birds 105 • November 2012 • 638–653 St Helena

Bourne, W. R. P. 1990. Birds of St Helena. In: Pearce- population changes: localised habitat change and Kelly, P., & Cronk, Q. C. B. (eds.), St Helena Natural the decline of the endangered St Helena Wirebird. Treasury, Proceedings of a symposium at Zoological J. Appl. Ecol. 38: 771–783. Society of London, September 1988. — & — 2002. A review of the status and ecology of Burns, F. 2011. Conservation biology of the the St Helena Wirebird, with recommendations for endangered St Helena Plover Charadrius its conservation. Unpublished report, School of sanctaehelenae. Unpublished PhD thesis, University & Microbial Sciences, University of Reading. of Bath. Olson, S. L. 1975 Palaeornithology of St Helena Island, Friesen, V. L., Smith, A. L., Gomez-Diaz, E., Bolton, M., South Atlantic Ocean. Smithsonian Contr. to Furness, R. W., Gonzalez-Solis, J., & Monteiro, L. R. Palaeobiol. 23: 1–49. 2007. Sympatric speciation by allochrony in a Oppel, S., Burns, F., Ellick, G., George, K., Beard, A., seabird. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 18589–18594; Henry, L., Clingham, E., Hillman, J. C., Hollins, J. D., & doi: 10.1073/pnas.0700446104. Thorsen, M. J. 2012. Recent observations suggest Hillman, J. C., & Clingham, E. 2012. First record of Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii might breed on Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii for St Helena, St Helena. Marine Ornithology 40: 67–68. South Atlantic. Bull. African Bird Club 19: 213–214. Rowlands, B. W. 2001 Birds of St Helena – an update. Lewis, C. 2008. The Late Glacial and Holocene Wirebird 22: 27. avifauna of the island of St Helena, South Atlantic — 2006a. The BOU checklist of St Helena – Ocean. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa 63: 128–144. an update on birds, and relevant ships’ movements, McCulloch, M. N. 1991. Status, habitat and 1942 and 1944. Wirebird 33: 30–31. conservation of the St Helena Wirebird Charadrius — 2006b. St Helena. In: Sanders, S. (ed.), Important sanctaehelenae. Bird Conservation International Bird Areas in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories, 1: 361–392. pp. 202–209. RSPB, Sandy. — 1992. The Status and Ecology of the St Helena — & Trueman, T. 1999. First Atlantic record of a Wirebird. BTO Research Report No. 97, Thetford. Murphy’s Petrel Pterodroma ultima at St Helena. — 2004. A Guide to the Birds of St Helena and Bull. African Bird Club 6: 25–28. Ascension Island. RSPB, Sandy. —, —, Olson, S. L., McCulloch, M. N., & Brooke, R. K. — 2006. A review of the status and habitat of the 1998. The Birds of St Helena. BOU Checklist No. 16, St Helena Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae, Tring. including an assessment of the potential impact of Springett, R. 2007. St Helena rarities. Birding World construction of the proposed St Helena Airport. 20: 130. Report to the Department for International Thompson, V. 2007. The St Helena Wirebird: The Development, RSPB, Sandy. island’s only endemic bird is now a critically — & Norris, K. 2001. Diagnosing the cause of endangered species. Wirebird 35: 3–7.

Tony Prater, The Mill House, Wells Road, Hindringham, Norfolk NR21 0PN; e-mail [email protected]

Tony Prater has been fascinated by waders throughout his adult life, and regards himself as having been fortunate to work at both the RSPB and the BTO on wader conservation projects. He has travelled far to see the world’s waders; reviewing the airport proposal on St Helena and seeing one of the rarest of all waders was a combination par excellence. Six visits to St Helena have given him an insight into the pressures and opportunities on this fascinating island.

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