Montserrat Ridge to Reef Conservation Project (MRRCP) MRRCP Project Aim. Latest News. Monthly Project Update. April 2015

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1 Montserrat Ridge to Reef Conservation Project (MRRCP) Monthly Project Update April 2015 Location: The Taj, Old Towne, Montserrat Project Scientist: Susan Robertson MRRCP Project Aim The Montserrat Ridge to Reef Conservation Project (MRRCP) is a collaborative project to support the sustainable use of Montserrat s natural resources. The programme encompasses scientific surveys of coral reefs and other marine resources, as well as terrestrial species and habitats focussed primarily in the Centre Hills. The MRRCP provides training and conservation education opportunities for local Montserratians, as part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of natural resources throughout the country. Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) is working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Government of Montserrat and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Coral Cay Conservation provides the resources to help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty through the protection, restoration and management of coral reefs and tropical forests. Contents Latest news Story of the Month Survey Update Education & Community Pojects Scholarship News Creature of the Month Latest News The site at the Taj is buzzing this month with the arrival of several new marine volunteers on site. They spent the first week learning to scuba dive and then started on the Skills Development Programme gaining the knowledge and skills to undertake the continuing marine surveys around island. Having taken their first tentative steps of breathing underwater in the pool the new divers continued to develop their skills at Isles Bay followed by a week at Lime Kiln learning to identify the myriad of fish and substrates found in the waters around Montserrat. Volunteers on a training dive to learn substrates. Courtesy of Peter Corville

2 This month also saw the departure of Science Officer (SO) Hazel Thornton who left Montserrat after 7 months on the project. Hazel worked extremely hard with all our volunteers taking them through the science training as well as running many of our library sessions at Brades Library. We are pleased to say that towards the end of her time onsite Hazel also completed her Dive master qualification. Congratulations Hazel! Story of the Month This month whilst out enjoying a walk along Foxes Bay, staff and volunteers Astrid and Hugo had some amazing wildlife sightings. Initially when they walked down the beach they discovered the tracks of a large Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) who probably laid her eggs the previous night. The tracks were so wide that when Claire the Field Base Manager (FBM) laid on the track and stretched out her arms they were still not completely covered! Excited by the discovery the group then went into the water for a snorkel where they had a close encounter with an Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) and four large Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). Finally, back on the beach the group was treated to a show as five humpback whales slowly travelled the length of the bay on part of their annual migration. It just goes to show that not all the cool stuff is seen on surveys! Survey Update Survey background: The only comprehensive survey of Montserrat s coral reefs and other marine resources to date was carried out prior to the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano. CCC will be conducting enhanced Reef Check surveys around the island to provide an overview of the current status of the coral reefs of Montserrat and map marine habitats. Terrestrial survey work will build on research carried out during the Centre Hills Project ( ) and focus on three main areas: 1) mapping invasive plant species; 2) surveys of resident and migrant birds; 3) reptile and amphibian surveys. If you would like more information on our surveying please contact our Project Scientist. Marine Surveys We had our first marine volunteer of the year with us on site during April and after completing his training Hugo was involved in a survey on our permanent transect CCC have positioned in Lime Kiln Bay. Hugo had been wanting to get involved in surveying work with CCC for over 14 years and was delighted that in just two short weeks in help to collect some data towards our longer-term goals.

3 Marine survey team in the water. Terrestrial Surveys Although we only have one terrestrial volunteer on site Astrid she has been with us a few weeks and has thrown herself into the various surveys we undertake in the Centre Hills. Astrid came with a particular interest in plants but has enjoyed all aspects of the work conducted by CCC and has thoroughly enjoyed learning the wide range of bird call on Montserrat. Though both Astrid and the new SO Sean have been frustrated on several surveys by the Pearly Eyed Thrashers (Margarops fuscatus) ability to mimic other birds. The nocturnal herptile survey are also popular, this month we have been fortunate enough to catch not one but two turnip tailed geckos (Thecadactylus rapicauda). A Turnip-Tailed Gecko found near the Duberry Cassava Nature Trail. Picture courtesy of Shawn Daniel

4 Education and Community Projects After the success of the previous library session on Turtles we decided to take advantage of the kids enthusiasm and present on reptiles. We looked at reptiles around the world as well as focusing on endemic species, ending the lecture by informing the children of conservation issues facing reptiles worldwide. A special emphasis was placed on the unnecessary fear many people hold in regards to reptiles and how the children have nothing to fear from their island companions!!! Science officer Hazel Thornton gave the lecture, it being her last one with CCC Montserrat and did a great job keeping the kids entertained with interesting facts from the scaly realm. The age of the Aldabra Tortoise (150 years) was compared to the total age of children in the room and to the age of the oldest people the children knew. Everyone had a great time trying to taste the air in an imitation of snakes and lizards!!! Attendance was at a record high with over 30 children taking part in the session. Hopefully this excellent turnout can be repeated and built upon at upcoming events. The post lecture craft session involved making the children s favourite reptiles out of playdough. Each child was given four colours and were guided by CCC staff and the example models that we had made in the week leading up to the session. Science Officer Mike Soltysiak s chameleon was a favourite with the group; the table of girls almost exclusively made chameleons much to the chagrin of the other staff (they are pretty hard to make). New Science Officer Sean Smith jumped straight into proceedings and looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself and getting involved with CCC s community work. As always special thanks has to go to the staff of Brades library and ZJB Radio for helping promote and run the event.

5 Scholarship News Each month CCC offers Montserratian nationals who display an ambition to study and protect the vital natural ecosystems of Montserrat an opportunity to take part in one of our Conservation Scholarships. The programmes last for one month and involve training the student in SCUBA diving or jungle skills. They then take part in an intensive Skills Development Programme giving them the knowledge and expertise to conduct ecological surveys. We are planning an Open Day at the Taj in Old Towne Monday 25 TH May. Everyone is welcome especially anyone interested in applying to join our scholarship scheme. You can look round the site meet the team and discover what we do on our marine and terrestrial surveys. If you bring along your swimwear there will even be an opportunity to jump into our pool and try scuba diving! Try dives at the last CCC Open Day being watched by some of the younger visitors

6 Creature of the Month! The CCC Creature of the month for April is the Yellow-Crowned Night- Heron (Nyctanassa violacea). These beautiful birds are squat greyish-blue members of the heron family characterised by a very noticeable yellow mohawk hanging from the back of their heads. Apart from sporting one of the coolest hairdos in the animal kingdom the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron is a huge fan of the local nightlife and is only active after dark. They spend the majority of the day resting in the shade unless they are being accidently woken by some of our keener terrestrial volunteers. The birds have been spotted numerous times in April surveys especially on the southern side of the island and the team is always on the lookout for this incredible and uncommon species. The herons are usually found near bodies of water including freshwater swamps and mangroves where they forage for food in the shallows. A favourite meal for the Night-Heron would include fish, molluscs and the host of invertebrates that live in the mud flats. Otherwise they are happy as Frenchmen snacking on frogs and any small reptiles they can get their beaks on!