Observations of Seychelles Fodies feeding on mosquitos attracted to nesting Hawksbill Turtles on Cousin Island Special Reserve

Cousin Island Special Reserve is a nesting hotspot of Hawksbill Turtles. As part of on-going long term monitoring, emerging females are observed and nests noted and marked. During the 2023/24 nesting season, unprecedented levels of mosquitos were recorded over the island. We observed the endemic Seychelles Fody predating mosquitos on and around nesting female turtles during their digging and egglaying process.