Marine turtle, seabird and megapode survey of Babeldaob, Beliliou (Peleliu) and Ngemelis islands, Republic of Palau 8-15 August, 1992

Abstract

The islands of Beliliou (Peleliu) and Ngemelis and stretches of beach along the east coast of Babeldaob, Republic of Palau, were surveyed for evidence of hawksbill, Eretmochelys Imbricata and green, Chelonia mydas turtles during the peak of the turtle nesting season. Incidental sightings of nesting seabirds and Micronesian Megapodes, Negapodius laperouse were also recorded. Ngerduais beach on the east coast of Babeldaob was the only area surveyed which showed any recent signs of nesting turtles. Local information suggests that only sparse nesting has ever taken place in Babeldaob and the islands of Ngemelis, Angaur and Beliliou in recent years. Micronesian Megapodes are reported rare on these islands, and there was no evidence of Megapode nesting on any of the sites surveyed. Although many seabirds are known from these islands, none were observed nesting. However, the Vanikoro Swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis, Collared Kingfisher, Halcyon chlorls, Rufous Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus, Pacific Reef Heron, Egretta sacra, and Black Noddy, Anous minutus, were sighted on several of the islands surveyed. The limited evidence of recent turtle nesting and the lack of evidence of Megapode and seabird nesting combined with the information provided by members of the local communities, indicates that the areas surveyed during this phase of the Rapid Ecological Assessment are not significant nesting areas for these wildlife at this time.