Through the Wetlands of Hope project, Nature Seychelles showcases the unique species that thrive in our wetlands. From majestic mangrove trees to often-overlooked mangrove whelks, we aim to highlight that wetlands are rich in biodiversity. This week, we will share four more species commonly found in these ecosystems.
Let’s start with the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), also known as ‘Madanm Paton’ in Creole. Originally native to Africa and parts of Asia, these birds have expanded their range and are now found on every continent except Antarctica. Their habit of following cows and other grazing animals in order to catch insects and small creatures stirred up by these larger animals as they move, gives them their common name.
In Seychelles, these snowy white birds can be spotted at the fish markets as they wait for a fishy snack! They are even the subject of a local children’s song that goes like this:
Madanm paton, madanm paton
Lo bazar, lo bazar (At the market, at the market)
Ozordi napa pwason, ozordi napa pwason (There’s no fish today, there’s no fish today)
Pran dizef pou fer lomnet (Take some eggs to make an omelette.)
Pran lavyann pou fer kari koko. (Take some meat to make a coconut curry)
The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), known as ‘Bezroz’ in Creole, is a small chunky bird that migrates annually throughout the Seychelles. It travels thousands of kilometres from its breeding grounds in the Arctic region to winter in warmer areas ranging from Africa to Australia. Here’s an extraordinary fact about the distances these birds cover: an adult, colour-ringed on Cousin Island in November 1982, was recovered in Kazakhstan in August 1986. They are usually encountered in Seychelles from October to March. The bird is commonly seen in groups on our rocky shores and outer islands and in coastal wetlands. Turnstones prefer to feed on rocky coasts or exposed coral, where they can flip over stones or other objects in search of food. This behaviour is the origin of their common name, “turnstone”.
The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), known as Korbizo in Creole, is a commonly observed migratory bird. With its distinctive curved beak, it expertly digs into the mud, searching for worms and other invertebrates. The Whimbrel’s genus, Numenius, means “new moon” in Greek – a nod to the bird’s crescent-shaped bill. The Whimbrel is a true global traveller, frequenting the Seychelles during the northern winter. Responding to environmental cues, they journey thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds up north to winter in warmer regions to the south.
Lastly, the Feathertail stingray (Pastinachus sephen), also known as the Cowtail stingray or ‘Lare lafwet’ in Creole, thrives in the warm tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, and can be found in coastal areas, including muddy and sandy substrates in estuaries and mangrove areas. It is an amphidromous species, meaning that it has the capacity to inhabit both salt and fresh waters, and these migrations are not conditioned by reproduction. The stingray’s name refers to its unusual tail – resembling a feather or cow’s tail. They can sometimes be spotted in Victoria; in the mud flats and channels during high tide.