Vanuatu Volitant

2007: Birds - Herons

Vanuatu has 121 species of birds and 7 endemic species so it is no wonder that birds appear regularly on their stamps. The islands are covered with lush green tropical forests but the Reef Heron which is seen all over the Pacific stays, as its name implies, on rocky or sandy shores and reefs.  A solitary bird like most herons both parents share the task of raising their chicks.  The mini sheet shows every aspect of  a Reef Heron's daily life.  

The Vanuatu archipelago lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and has five active volcanoes and one active underwater. The largest volcano on the island of Ambae erupted in 2017 and 2018 (the latest incident as recently as December).  Volcanic ash has covered the island killing crops and polluting the water and the 11,000 residents were ordered to leave permanently by the government last year and evacuated to neighbouring islands.  66 of the 80 Vanuatu islands are inhabited with the 16 main islands being where most people live.

The stamp issue of Reef Herons consisted of this mini sheet and and a five stamp set.

Sunday Stamps II prompt this week is the Letter V - for Vanuatu - See It On A Postcard