Birds are Returning to Hawadax, Previously “Rat” Island

Say goodbye to what was once called “Rat Island.” Native birds are reclaiming Hawadax Island as their own, thanks to the removal of invasive species in 2008 by Island Conservation, USFWS Alaska, and The Nature Conservancy.

Bird species that were absent prior to rat eradication but now found on Hawadax include tufted puffins, song sparrows and snow buntings, the study said. There were no puffin burrows in 2008; in 2013, the scientists found six.

 Marc Romano USFWS Tufted Puffin
Tufted Puffin. Photo by Marc Romano/USFWS

The return of native birds to the island is a superb outcome of arduous conservation efforts. The results are promising for current and future projects; invasive species removal gives native plants and animals a chance to rebound and flourish, and the results are simply beautiful all around.

Hello Hawadax!

Hawadax Island from water. Photo: Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation
Hawadax Island from water. Photo: Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation

You can read more about the recovery on Hawadax Island here!

Feature photo by Poppy Benson.

Back Next

Want to learn more?

Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.

What is Climate Week?

Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!

Rare Joins the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge

Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…

Video Footage Highlights Lehua Island Restoration Project

Video captures insights and hopes from the partners who are working to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i. In 2021, Lehua Island officially became free from the threat of invasive rodents. This is a huge accomplishment that has enriched the region’s biodiversity…

Tequila Sunrise? Or Floreana Sunrise?

Carolina Torres describes how the project to restore and rewild Floreana Island signals hope for a future where people and nature can thrive together in the Galápagos.