Results
Distribution and general habitat of colonies
We examined 18 bee-eater breeding colony sites, all were on vertical slopes with horizontal
nest tunnels, of various sizes (3–200 individuals) in 2002 (Figure 1). The minimum
combined breeding population was estimated at 822 individuals. Other colonies probably
exist on the island, especially in coastal dune areas not searched due to the presence of
landmines. Most colonies (16) were found in sandy loam (74% of all individuals) with the
only exceptions being colony D, the island’s largest, and colony C which both used sandy
clay loam (totalling 26% of all individuals). No colony was built in clay loam, which is
distributed primarily on the west side of the island.