#seabirds

[snototter]

A lone male Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) observes a breeding pair preening each other in Svalbard, Norway

by Tim Melling

[wachinyeya]

Marshall Islands Experience Explosion of Wildlife One Year After Invasive Rats Were Removed

Certain parts of the Marshall Islands have been widely affected by invasive rats on their delicately balanced ecosystems. Bikar Atoll, one o

October 3, 2025

Two small islets crucial to the resiliency of the local environment in the Marshall Islands Republic are witnessing a major ecological revival.

Island Conservation, a global nonprofit organization with a mission to restore islands for nature and people, has successfully eradicated invasive black rats, allowing the native forests and seabird population on Bikar Atoll and Jemo Islet to recover.

The rats have had a devastating effect on their delicately balanced ecosystems on certain islands in the Marshalls. Bikar Atoll, one of the smallest atolls in the country, is located 360 miles (580 kilometers) north of the capital, Majuro. The reef surrounds a lagoon roughly 14 square miles. 

The Jemo Islet is a 16-hectare inhabited coral island that’s known to be one of the major feeding grounds for green sea turtles and a seabird sanctuary. With the arrival of invasive species such as black rats on both these landmasses, the native environment has been heavily disrupted as native plants, seabirds, and other animals fall prey to the rats’ scavenging. 

In addition to turtles, Jemo had been used for generations as a place to gather and hunt, but had become something like an ecological graveyard since the rats arrived. Having already eradicated black rats on dozens of islands before, Island Conservation trained local teams with the best practices to remove the rats via poison without harming the native wildlife.

After one year, a trip back to these islands, accompanied by Island Conservation, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce, and community members from Utrik Atoll, found that the efforts to eradicate the rats had succeeded and that wildlife was bouncing back. The recovery of the native seabird population has positively impacted the link between land and sea. The nutrients from the seabirds’ droppings play a critical role as natural fertilizer for the plant population which anchors the local food web.

Part of a trend

The rat invasion has depleted the useful resources of Jemo for the Likiep people for many years, but with the help of major participating organizations, it not only benefits the natural ecosystems of the Marshall Islands but also the communities that depend on these resources.

“Our Marshallese friends continue to add restored, pest-free islands to their list of achievements,” said David Moverley, Invasive Species Adviser for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), who partnered with Island Conservation on the project.

“Participating in the first rat removal workshop in Tonga ten years ago allowed them early on to achieve successful eradications on small islands by themselves. Now with modern technology and expert technical support from our partner Island Conservation, they are really pushing the boundaries and people are starting to realize the treasures that abound within the Marshall Islands and the opportunities that they present”.

Previously, WaL had the opportunity to report on Island Conservation projects, one being Loosiep, located in Yap State within the Federated States of Micronesia.

The project focused on the removal of invasive rats—the almost ubiquitous problem on Pacific islands—that threatened the biodiversity of its area. In partnership with the Island Conservation, local groups removed the rats allowed the “turtle islands” to thrive once again. 

WaL also reported on the 2022 Island Conservation removal of invasive rats across the Pacific Islands using technological advancements of drones and poisoned bait.

These ambitious efforts by Island Conservation have already benefited 65 Islands worldwide, and their continuous work in restoring ecosystems creates lasting benefits for both nature and communities across the globe. WaL

[proxxicles]

second Bird Blast Sunday showcase -- stilts & plovers ! two ambient sources of feathers that make their home on the Overworld's strands and stony shores .

[aquatic-batt]

let’s stare at the camera suspiciously with mama

[lurelimeart]

brown pelican!

[draculavian]

Days 19-27 of birdtober 2025 [list by @/aholmesartstudio on Instagram]

Red Footed Boobie ☆ Golden Plover ☆ Eurasian Sparrow

Tree Swallow ☆ Northern Waterthrush ☆ Olive Warbler

Acorn Woodpecker ☆ Pacific Wren ☆ California Condor

[montereybayaquarium]

🐣 Welcome our perfect puffling pair, Sprout and Nori! 🐣

With over 6,000 votes cast over three days of fierce and fluffy competition, Sprout soared to the top of the puffling playoff naming bracket. 🌱 Thanks to our voters, our Animal Care team is already using the winning name to raise Sprout on exhibit. 

Come meet our tufted puffin colony at our diving birds display in the Open Sea wing. You may be lucky enough to spot Sprout and Nori as they begin to venture out of their burrows. 🐤

Our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean helps us protect irreplaceable species like tufted puffins for future generations. That’s why we hatch adorable chicks like Nori and Sprout at Monterey Bay Aquarium as part of a Species Survival Plan. There’s wonder in all ocean life, and caring for it helps us all. 💙 

Learn how you can help protect ocean life like our pufflings!

[antiqueanimals]

Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935). Kittywakes. 1926. Pencil, watercolour and bodycolour.

Christie's