Volun­teering Seychelles - Lydia

Profile

Name: Lydia

Age: 44

Project: Species protection

Location: North Island, Seychelles

Duration: Beginning of February til March

Rating

Support from the Natucate team:

Arrival:

Partner on-site:

Accommodation:

Volunteering in North Island, Seychelles– Feedback: Eight questions for Lydia

1) Could you give us a brief overview of your activities/tasks in the project/course?

Of course, the following tasks were also part of my volunteer work:

• Conducted beach patrols at East Beach and Staff Beach (Petite Anse), offering stunning sunrise vistas. Also patrolled Honeymoon Beach and West Beach.
• Documented and weighed the collected rubbish.
• Utilized GPS devices and notebooks to mark and document nests, distinguishing between Turtle and Turtle Tracks (track measurements were assigned to Green Turtles or Hawksbills).
• Relocated nests to prevent washout, tallying their eggs.
• Identified unmarked Black Mud Terrapins, marking and documenting them (including measurements and weight).
• Nursed Aldabra babies.
• Applied GPS markers to Aldabra turtles, labeling and photographing them comprehensively for future identification.
• Recorded all gathered data in a centralized databank.
• Conducted nightly beach patrols under the mesmerizing starlit sky.
• Planted indigenous saplings and palm trees sourced from the Nursery Garden.
• Weekly, supplies arrived via boat, which we unpacked in the Rat Room, meticulously inspecting for potential threats to the island's flora and fauna.

2) What was the biggest challenge for you during the project?

There were no challenges for me. Everything was explained very well.

3) Was there something you liked most? Or something you remember particularly negatively?

I particularly liked the fact that I was allowed to be everywhere. I was able to see several Hawksbill and Green Turtles laying eggs. Also how the little baby turtles waddled into the sea. :)

4) Did you have certain expectations before travelling to the project?

I had no expectations - just a wish: That I would see baby turtles.
This wish was fulfilled several times, along with many other wonderful experiences.

5) Have you done anything in your free time that you can recommend to future participants?

I explored all three hiking trails (Grand Paloss, Spa Hill, and Bernica Trail), and the views were wonderful. I went snorkelling with a guide, as the currents were not to be underestimated. I often spent the evenings on Staff Beach looking for shooting stars.

6) What recommendations would you give to other participants?

You don't need to bring a mosquito net or towels. Everything is available on-site. You can wear private clothes for dinner if you wish. Pay by credit card before departure as they don't give out cash. (Or you have it exactly)

7) Can you estimate how many additional costs you had on-site?

For the weeks I needed about 40 euros.

8) There is still room here for other questions/suggestions/ideas/reports or stories from you:

It was a wonderful trip that I will never forget. I got to know many nice people and friendly Aldabra turtles. (Brutus, Beach Boy Harry, Behati.....) A great project that I can only recommend.