Fig. 3: Detection of seabird eggs, nests, and carcasses on Bedout Island proved increasingly challenging over time.

Deceased adult boobies recorded during a transect completed in June (a). Many birds were difficult to detect as they were almost completely buried by sediment (b). Deceased booby chicks (c) were difficult to detect during surveys compared to larger, often darker-coloured adult birds. This was particularly the case in July due to degradation of the carcasses and re-growth of vegetation. Loss of eggs and nests during Cyclone Ilsa were widespread across Bedout Island, but detection was also difficult. For example, only a single booby egg was recorded (during the July survey; d): the nest structure and second egg were completely buried by sediment and not visible.