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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is a small, circular coral cay in the Amirantes group, situated c.300 km south-west of Mahé. There are no trees; the vegetation comprises mainly grass and low bushes surrounded by a steep sandy beach. It is fairly easy to land in calm conditions. There is no resident human population.
See Box for key species. The site is one of only three known breeding sites in Seychelles for
Sterna dougallii. In addition,
Sterna fuscata (c.5,000 pairs) and
Anous stolidus (800–1,200 pairs) breed. All three species breed in dense colonies during the south-east monsoon.
Non-bird biodiversity: The turtles Chelonia mydas (EN) and Eretmochelys imbricata (CR) nest and may be taken by poachers.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The island is protected under the Wild Birds Protection (Nature Reserve) Regulations 1966. However, enforcement of the law is extremely difficult as the island has no human presence to report the activities of poachers.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Etoile island (Seychelles). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/etoile-island-iba-seychelles on 23/11/2024.
