Bird Island is renowned for being the home of the giant male tortoise Esmeralda, who is estimated to be more than 200 years old.  Esmeralda is considered to be the largest free ranging tortoise in the world, weighing in at a hefty 300 kg and has consequently been mentioned in The Guinness Book of Records. 

When the northern hemisphere is enduring its harsh winter months, rare migrants and windblown vagrants congregate on the island, which in recent years has become somewhat of a safe haven for bird populations and is considered as a second ornithological wonder.  A considerable number of species new to the Seychelles archipelago have been found here, so visitors to the island have fantastic opportunities to have unique close encounters with birdlife, especially between the months of October and March.  In fact, Bird Island is home to a number of birds which can be found on no other Seychelles island. It has also become the first island to record 100 non-breeding migratory birds.

Between April and September, Bird becomes engulfed by sooty terns, which flock to the island in their thousands to breed.  Noddies and fairy terns can also be seen during this period.  The month of May is notorious for being the ultimate bird breeding month.  As millions of birds prepare to populate the island to breed, a fascinating ritual occurs.  The birds first land on the ocean surface to collect sea water, then they drop it onto the patch of grass they intend to nest.  In the following few weeks, the salt water turns the grass brown and dry, thus creating an ideal nesting spot.

Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Carina Hall & STB