News Suwarrow blog

BirdLife launches invasive species video - Saving...

Tue, 16/07/2013

At BirdLife’s World Congress last month we launched our newest global conservation programme. The BirdLife Invasive Alien Species Programme will work around the globe to tackle one of the greatest of threats to our natural world. Today we’re launching a new video by award-winning filmmaker Nick Hayward showcasing just what it takes to eliminate rats in restoring a remote atoll in the South Pacific…

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 20 – A bright future for...

Sat, 01/06/2013

In the final blog of the epic trip, the team arrive back to Rarotonga to delight in the luxuries that they've missed over the past six weeks, reflect on the impacts of the modern world, and look towards a brighter future for conservation in the Cook Islands...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 19 – Tacking towards home

Fri, 31/05/2013

The team is edging their way towards their final destination of Rarotonga in their traditional canoe which is at the mercy of the wind...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 18 - Farewell Suwarrow

Thu, 30/05/2013

The team have finished their final operation to remove rats from Suwarrow, and are halfway home to Rarotonga on their Vaka...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 17 - Returning to the real world

Mon, 27/05/2013

Today the team reflect on the potential success of their expedition to save Suwarrow’s seabirds, and ready themselves for their return trip to the real world.

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow blog 16 - A day of rest

Fri, 24/05/2013

Today the team feast with the very welcome visitors to Suwarrow and celebrate some luck with the weather...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 15 - A flotilla on the lagoon and...

Thu, 23/05/2013

Today the team hope the weather won’t be against them again as they eye their impending departure date with a new crew member...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 14 - Breeding season peaks as a...

Mon, 20/05/2013

Today the crew are gathering seabird survey results, watching out for ominous rainclouds and wondering at the provenance of the newest resident to emerge from the shadows...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog 13 - Larcenous saboteurs and...

Fri, 17/05/2013

Today the team search for more islets with rat inhabitants and find the inquisitive coconut crabs have a culinary bent...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Twelve – Rainy days and frigatebird...

Wed, 15/05/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. Wet weather has brought with it some bad news for the operation...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Eleven – Coral moonscapes and cool...

Sat, 11/05/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. Today the team reclaim their machete from a robber crab and enjoy the ‘modern’ comforts of Anchorage while contemplating a new departure date...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Ten – The enemy emerges and coconut...

Wed, 08/05/2013

Today the crew take a well-earned break and spy their furry quarry...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Nine – Working through the wasps

Sun, 05/05/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. With the team safely on Suwarrow they get to work preparing for the operation whilst trying to avoid an army of wasps…

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Eight – Land ahoy!

Fri, 03/05/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. Today they land on Suwarrow and are welcomed by swarms of seabirds, sharks and crabs…

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Seven – All at sea

Thu, 02/05/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. During this latest blog the team are out at sea and dealing with breaking tow-ropes, noisy generators and Cookie-cutter Sharks…

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Six – Setting sail

Mon, 29/04/2013

The latest blog from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. Today the team have finally left Rarotonga’s main harbour and are heading north hoping to spy Sperm whales...

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Five – A motley crew and mixed...

Sat, 27/04/2013

Today the team finish loading the Southern Cross, we learn that Ian loves eggs, and that Nick feels like he’s living in a childhood adventure book…

Pacific Cook Islands

Suwarrow Blog Four – A very Pacific voyage

Tue, 23/04/2013

The third of many blogs from wildlife filmmaker Nick Hayward as he joins a team from BirdLife and Te Ipukarea Society (BirdLife in the Cook Islands) eradicating rats from Suwarrow – a seabird mecca in the South Pacific. In this blog the team load their boat with supplies and learn about the traditional canoe which will bring them back…

Pacific Cook Islands