In true Albertan style we went on a rat killing trip to Whale Island. The protected island is important nesting habitat for Roseate Terns that are now threatened by the invasive rats. Last season not a single tern was successful at raising young. These unpopular rodents probably arrived on the island via boats that anchored nearby during a storm. The island is part of the Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve but is not open to tourists. It was very special that we were allowed to visit...and lay rat traps. No worries if you are showing this to your children...we saw no rats and killed no rats while we were there. So read on since there are not any graphic photos.

A Roseate Tern.

Ted on Short Beach waiting for the boat. Just an 8 minute drive from Mwamba down the beach.

Can you see why it is called Whale Island?

It’s a steep and very jagged climb to the top. We had to be careful not to cut ourselves on the incredibly sharp rock. I’m smiling because I got this far without slicing my hands open.

Sharp, sharp rocks!!

Here’s me lov’n the view. It was such a beautiful day. Here you can see the one small patch of vegetation on the island suitable for nesting. When the Terns arrive there will be hundreds of them nesting at the top of the island.

Ted and Colin Jackson (director of A Rocha Kenya) are discussing why we can’t find any rats and why the tern’s haven’t yet arrived to nest.

More gorgeous views.

Glad we didn’t hurt ourselves climbing on all these steep sharp rock walls – our travel insurance doesn’t cover rock climbing. Maybe they cover accidents that happen in the name of Tern conservation?

We made it down to the “beach” again!

Look at what we found!

On the way back home we saw a great dhow (carved-out wooden canoe) with a sail made from plastic gunny sacks.

We had a great time exploring and helping to protect this amazing island and the birds that nest there. Many people could not believe that we come from a rat free province. We hope that we brought a little Alberta to Whale Island.