At the beginning of the meeting our Secretary, Linda, reminded us all of two forthcoming events - a visit on the following Monday to see the snowdrops and have tea at Longstock and the Bean Car Rally in April. It was noted that all those able to attend the New Year Lunch at the Crown had really enjoyed the occasion.
Sarah, our President, then introduced our speaker, John Hughes, whose subject for the evening was the Birds of Ascension Island. However, John’s talk was far wider ranging than this title suggests. He set the scene describing the Island as a large barren volcanic mass with no natural water supply. It is located 8 degrees south of the Equator in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It has no indigenous population and was discovered in 1501 by the Portuguese and was visited again two years later on Ascension Day, hence the name. Landing on the Island was very difficult as it has no natural harbour and the sea if often very rough.
Despite its inhospitable nature the Island has had a very import strategic role. The British occupied the island to prevent French from rescuing Napoleon from St Helena at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. During the Second World War it became the main air route from Britain to South Africa thus avoiding the Germans who were occupying North Africa. More recently it played an important role as a staging point during the Falklands conflict. It is still of strategic importance today and both the U.K. and the U.S.A share a base and a communication facility there.
The lack of an indigenous population and its isolated nature made the island a perfect location for birds to live and it became the home of large colonies of nesting seabirds. When bases were built and the island became populated, a small rocky outcrop called Boatswain Bird Island became the main nesting area for a variety of boobies, brown noddies and frigate birds. This island was ideal as it had steep sides and a flat top, perfect for nesting birds. Also, it was free of feral cats and rats which populated the main island. The cats have now been exterminated and some birds have started to nest again on the main islands. It is estimated that up to a million sea birds either live or come to breed on the island, some brought by the trade winds. The lack of a natural harbour and the constant rough seas has meant that the island is mainly free of tourists as cruise ships cannot easily land passengers. This has obviously contributed to the preservation of the large colonies of nesting sea birds. It has also meant it is an ideal breeding ground for sea turtles.
John illustrated his talk with amazing photographs both of the island and the lovely seabirds and his presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by us all.
Eileen Reynolds
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