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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Conception is a small island located less than 2 km west of the north-western coast of Mahé. Surrounded by a rocky coastline with cliffs, its steep slopes are entirely covered by dense woodland and thickets, growing over large boulders and crevasses. Until the mid-1970s it was exploited as a coconut plantation, but has since remained abandoned and uninhabited. There is no beach on which to land, no permanent surface fresh water and no paths, making it very inhospitable. Vegetation is dominated by the introduced species
Cinnamomum verum,
Anacardium occidentale,
Cocos nucifera and
Tabebuia pallida, but the endemics
Phoenicophorium borsigianum and
Allophylus sechellensis and the indigenous
Canthium bibracteatum and
Premna obtusifolia are well-represented in the undergrowth.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. Conception is the main stronghold for
Zosterops modestus. This population was only discovered in January 1997. It was estimated in 1999 to be 242–327 birds or 60–80 breeding families (including helpers), about 85 % of the current total population estimate. There are also several pairs of
Falco araea on the island, as well as a minimum of 100 pairs of
Alectroenas pulcherrima.
Streptopelia picturata picturata and three exotic species are also present in small numbers.
Non-bird biodiversity: Not well known. Mabuya sechellensis and Phelsuma astriata are abundant. Phelsuma longinsulae and Ailuronyx sechellensis have also been recorded. Marine life around the island appears very rich and includes the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (CR).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Conception is in the process of being declared a Special Reserve by government. Fire appears to be the main threat, as it could easily destroy all the vegetation and the
Zosterops modestus population. The biology and ecology of this species on Conception are currently being investigated and compared with results from Mahé. A management plan for the island is required.
Rattus norvegicus is abundant on the island which is, however, not arboreal, unlike
Rattus rattus, which is present on all other satellite islands of Mahé and a significant nest-predator. This may be the main reason why
Zosterops modestus is abundant on Conception, rare on Mahé and absent from the other islands. Indian Mynah
Acridotheres tristis, a potential nest-predator, is also present, but not in large numbers.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Conception island (Seychelles). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/conception-island-iba-seychelles on 25/12/2024.
