November 2102 Expedition - New bird records for Chagos

Much is still to be learnt about the world’s truly pelagic seabirds, particularly away from their breeding locations; this certainly is true in the central Indian Ocean and in the Chagos Marine Protected Area (MPA).  Any bird records that arise from the expedition will be of interest because so little is known about seabirds at sea in the MPA but, when combined with underwater information and activities, will truly start to provide the type of information required to best manage this unique area.

The first days of the expedition have concentrated on monitoring a seamount only a few hours steam from Diego Garcia but within the MPA, an area that has never been surveyed for birds.  Aside from the bird data being gathered for later analysis, two very exciting finds have  occurred.  The first is the discovery that the MPA appears to be either a non-breeding area or more likely, a transit route for Matsudaira’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma matsudairae (photo below left, (c) Alan Tate).  This species breeds on islands south of Japan and was thought to winter in the northern Indian Ocean within 5° of the equator.  Several birds are being recorded daily and it may be that these oceanic wanderers winter further south than originally believed, or regularly pass through the Chagos on their way to and from breeding grounds.  Of interest, the birds being seen regularly by the expedition are the first confirmed records of this species from the central Indian Ocean.

The second discovery does not appear to be of great conservation value but was a huge surprise.  As the last bird transect of the day was coming to a close, Jessica was out on deck with Pete checking on progress.  Jessica was somewhat shocked when Pete sprinted away from her and grabbed his camera and started taking rapid shots of a passing seabird.  The resulting photographs revealed what is thought to be a Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata (photo far right, (c) Steve J. Murray).  As the name suggests, this bird is usually found in the Pacific Ocean though occasional vagrants have occurred in the tropical Indian Ocean.  Photographs of this bird have been sent to seabird experts to verify the identification in view of its’ rarity.

All that in three days!

Pete Carr, Expedition ornithologist

Rudy’s experience:

Being here in Chagos has certainly provided me with opportunities to see some seabirds that I have never seen before. Being on the deck of the Marlin I have  seen and learned about seabirds that I would have missed if Pete wasn’t here.

For me, the best thing that I have seen so far is a group of birds diving into a baitball of small fish, which was also providing food for dolphins and other pelagic fish. It was truly an amazing site to see.

Cannot wait to see more.