Isla San Esteban & Isla Rasa
Though islands account for only a small percentage of the landmass on the planet, they are home to as much as 15-20% of the endemic species in the world. The term ‘endemic’ signifies that a creature is found nowhere else on earth. It is not surprising then, that we also see a higher percentage of extinctions on islands than on land. Many of these extinctions can be attributed to species that have been introduced to an island, either accidentally or on purpose, such as goats, cats, pigs, rats and mice. Today we visit two very unique islands that are the home of some very interesting endemic species. We get to see first hand the benefits and importance of eradicating introduced species, especially for resident birds.
In the morning, we land on the rocky shore of Isla San Esteban. Heading into the wide, desert arroyo, we all peek under rock crevices and low lying bushes in hopes of finding the robust, chuckwalla lizard, endemic to this island. As the sun ascends in the sky, many are successful at spotting these well-camouflaged creatures. Some are even a little startled to find one sunning themselves just a few feet from their water break. Many are also fortunate to come upon the endemic spiny-tailed lizard, high up on a cardon cactus. These lizards climb the cardon to eat the flowers at the top. They are often found ‘relaxing’ once they have made it aloft, in no particular hurry to come back down.
Late in the afternoon, we investigate the tiny bird sanctuary of Isla Rasa by Zodiac. The island is a success story for the eradication of rats that once decimated the resident bird populations. Isla Rasa is the nesting spot for 95% of the world’s Elegant Terns and Heermann’s Gulls. The birds have recently arrived and if the noise level is any indicator, the mating process is in full swing. The activity seems to pick up as the sun sets with the silhouette of flapping wings filling the horizon. The shades of orange in the sky make the water seem extra blue on this magical Baja California evening.
Though islands account for only a small percentage of the landmass on the planet, they are home to as much as 15-20% of the endemic species in the world. The term ‘endemic’ signifies that a creature is found nowhere else on earth. It is not surprising then, that we also see a higher percentage of extinctions on islands than on land. Many of these extinctions can be attributed to species that have been introduced to an island, either accidentally or on purpose, such as goats, cats, pigs, rats and mice. Today we visit two very unique islands that are the home of some very interesting endemic species. We get to see first hand the benefits and importance of eradicating introduced species, especially for resident birds.
In the morning, we land on the rocky shore of Isla San Esteban. Heading into the wide, desert arroyo, we all peek under rock crevices and low lying bushes in hopes of finding the robust, chuckwalla lizard, endemic to this island. As the sun ascends in the sky, many are successful at spotting these well-camouflaged creatures. Some are even a little startled to find one sunning themselves just a few feet from their water break. Many are also fortunate to come upon the endemic spiny-tailed lizard, high up on a cardon cactus. These lizards climb the cardon to eat the flowers at the top. They are often found ‘relaxing’ once they have made it aloft, in no particular hurry to come back down.
Late in the afternoon, we investigate the tiny bird sanctuary of Isla Rasa by Zodiac. The island is a success story for the eradication of rats that once decimated the resident bird populations. Isla Rasa is the nesting spot for 95% of the world’s Elegant Terns and Heermann’s Gulls. The birds have recently arrived and if the noise level is any indicator, the mating process is in full swing. The activity seems to pick up as the sun sets with the silhouette of flapping wings filling the horizon. The shades of orange in the sky make the water seem extra blue on this magical Baja California evening.
