CC BY 4.0, Gerard Larose / Seychelles Tourism Board, Wikimedia Commons (licence review pending)Seasonal· Aride· Seychelles
Aride seabird season (lesser noddy, tropical shearwater, frigatebirds)
4° 12.7′ S · 55° 40.1′ E · approximate
Aride's calendar: frigatebird roosts peaking at more than 3,000 birds over the northern cliffs from October to December, sooty terns crowding the island from March to October, roseate terns from late April to the end of August, and lesser noddies, tropical shearwaters and white-tailed tropicbirds all year.
Practical
Ten breeding seabird species (ICS) — more than any other Seychelles island; Aride hosts the world's largest lesser noddy colony and possibly the largest tropical shearwater colony, Seychelles' largest roseate tern population and the largest frigatebird roost (mostly great frigatebirds, about 10% lesser) in the granitic islands. Note that the best tern months (May–Sep) overlap the SE-monsoon closure; October–December gives frigatebirds plus calmer landings. Don't touch or disturb birds; no collecting eggs. Coordinate approx: island centre.
Best for
Timing a visit for peak seabird activity
Season
Frigatebirds Oct–Dec; sooty terns Mar–Oct; roseate terns late Apr–Aug
Nearby
- Aride Island Special ReserveRight here
- Aride SE monsoon closureRight here
- Aride summit trail and viewpoint (Gros la Tête)Right here
- Aride endemic landbirds (Seychelles warbler and magpie-robin)0.1 NM away
- Aride Wright's gardenia0.1 NM away
- Aride landing (reserve boat, visiting days)0.2 NM away
- Aride safe swimming beach0.2 NM away
- Aride visitor shelter and barbecue0.2 NM away