Falklands Conservation has continued its rat eradication programme, with the baiting of Inner North-West Island in Falkland Sound, off Port Sussex. 19 offshore tussac grass islands have now been cleared of rats by Falklands Conservation with 517 hectares restored as habitat for ground nesting birds.

Inner North-West Island (35 hectares) is still recovering from a fire which burnt here approximately 15 years ago. It now has a thick tussac fringe, especially at the western end, with a more open middle section sparsely covered by bogs. This habitat is ideal for birds such as the tussacbird and the vulnerable Cobb’s wren, but they are currently absent due to the presence of rats.

Despite feeling a little worse for wear after the annual Conservation Ball in Stanley, the team of Nic Huin, Brian Summers, Ken Passfield and Isaac Forster loaded up Ken’s yacht, the Porvenier on Saturday the 29th September, with 325kg of rat bait and a raft of food and other supplies. Ken and Isaac then sailed the Porvenier around to the Islands via the southerly routing, stopping in at George Island to escape a gale, and experience the excellent hospitality of Chris and Linsday May.

Nic Huin on the yacht Porvenier en route for work on the remote Inner NW Island, Falkland Sound.

The Porvenier then had a lovely journey up Falkland Sound, to arrive at North West Island on the evening of 2nd October, where Ken and Isaac offloaded the bait and supplies. Brian and Nic were collected at Port Sussex the next morning and baiting began on the afternoon of the 3rd.

Isaac Forster and Ken Passfield begin baiting operations in dense tussac grass.

The eradication lasted for around a day and a half, hand spreading 250kg of bait on several transects on the main island, with further bait used on an unnamed islet 300m away to the south-east. Neighbouring Outer North-West Island was also checked to see if the eradication conducted there 3 years ago was successful. The team found a greatly increased presence of songbirds such as black-chinned siskins, grass wrens, and the Falkland thrush indicating a successful eradication, although further checks will be necessary to confirm its rat free status. A pair of tussacbirds was also observed on Inner North-West Island, which is excellent news for hope of their recolonisation after rat removal.

The team returned to Port Sussex on the evening of the 4th of October and parted company with Ken and the Porvenier. The contribution of time by Ken and his yacht made the logistics for the project significantly easier, and provided a comfortable home for the team. We are most grateful for his enthusiasm and support.