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  • The sky fell silent after an unnatural invasion by predatory Norway rats more than two centuries ago at Rat Island. However, these 2009 photos show the beginning of a remarkable sea change in bird life on this Aleutian island. © Island Conservation
  • Together with Island Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy led a campaign to eradicate the invasive rats--essential for restoring seabird populations. © Island Conservation
  • The black oystercatcher is among the dozens of bird species expected to flourish on Rat Island again. © Island Conservation
  • Black oystercatcher nests such as this one discovered during the 2009 summer field season are the first ever recorded on the island. © Island Conservation
  • Black oystercatcher chick. © Island Conservation
  • Rock sandpiper nest. © Island Conservation
  • Winter wren. © Island Conservation
  • Flock of Aleutian cackling geese. © Island Conservation
  • An Aleutian cackling goose nest. Note how emerging hatchlings pecked the first visible cracks in the eggshells. © Island Conservation
  • A juvenile mallard. © Island Conservation
  • A pigeon guillemot nest. © Island Conservation
  • If the eradication effort proves successful, biologists expect Rat Island will again support dozens of bird species. Will the island now get a new name? Some suggest Howadax--Aleut for opening or welcome--is a fitting new name for an island expected to become rich with bird life once again. © Island Conservation
The Nature Conservancy
Signs of New Life at Rat Island in 2009