Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA is situated on slopes of the highest mountain of the northern cape of Mahé. A short, dense shrub woodland vegetation is dominated by introduced species, mainly
Tabebuia pallida,
Cinnamomum verum and
Chrysobalanus icaco. Scattered taller trees include
Paraserianthes falcataria,
Sandoricum indicum and
Pterocarpus indicus, while some endemic species such as
Deckenia nobilis,
Phoenicophorium borsigianum and
Paragenipa wrightii are also found. There are some rocky areas with large boulders and caves. The woodland was exploited for the cinnamon industry, firewood and timber until 20–30 years ago. Only some selective cutting now occurs.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. The site holds the largest colony of
Collocalia elaphra known in Seychelles, comprising 600–800 pairs (March 1997 estimate). The colony is located on the roof of a large cave of difficult access, at c.10 m from the ground, and consists of a single mass of nests between 6–8 m in length. A few pairs of
Falco araea are also present, as well as the three more common endemics
Alectroenas pulcherrima,
Hypsipetes crassirostris and
Nectarinia dussumieri.
Streptopelia picturata picturata also occurs, as well as
Phaethon lepturus and
Gygis alba which nest at low densities in trees and rocks.
Non-bird biodiversity: Small numbers of endemic reptiles and amphibians are present.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Regular monitoring of the
Collocalia elaphra colony is conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Transport. Introduced predators (such as
Rattus spp. and
Tyto alba) have been implicated as predators of swiftlet colonies elsewhere. These may here predate
Collocalia elaphra and could be a threat. However, the colony’s size and location, high and deep in the cave, appears to provide good protection, including from human disturbance. Urbanization in the La Gogue area and fire are also potential threats.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Montagne Glacis - When She Comes (Seychelles). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/montagne-glacis--when-she-comes-iba-seychelles on 22/11/2024.
