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Island Conservation
The New York Times features the world’s oldest known wild bird, Wisdom the Laysan Albatross who has hatched a new chick in Midway Atoll. Still, the presence of invasive mice remains a persistent threat. Nearly sixty-five years ago, Wisdom a Laysan albatross, was first identified and banded by researchers on Midway Atoll in the North […]
Midway Atoll restoration project postponed in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the rapidly evolving outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19), increasing travel restrictions, and following guidance from the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for reduced travel and social distancing, it has become […]
New video footage captured from the UK Overseas Territory of Gough Island in the South Atlantic shows mice attacking adult albatross. Warning: Graphic video. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Last year a study, published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, found that invasive mice are responsible for two million fewer seabird chicks on […]
Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird has returned to Midway Atoll to nest once again. On December 10th, 1956, Chandler Robbins, bird biologist on Midway Atoll, banded a young female Laysan Albatross. In 2002, that same biologist returned to Midway and found the same bird nesting behind the old Navy Bravo Barracks that he […]
The remote nature of Midway Atoll and the restriction of artificial light makes for a night of beautiful, bright stars. Midway Atoll is a place where the sky never turns black, not even in middle of the night when stars seem endless. While the Atoll is undoubtedly an amazing place: tons of seabird species, the […]
The start of fall means Black-footed and Laysan Albatross are beginning to return to Midway for yet another breeding season. After a long hot summer, seemingly endless days of the sun beating down upon Midway’s islands, fall feels right around the corner. For just a brief period, Midway is largely void of nearly all seabirds. […]
Island Conservation project manager, José Luis Herrera, shares his experience on Midway Atoll as he maps out the infrastructure and watches in amazement of all the seabirds that rely on the atoll. During certain times of the year, airplanes traveling from Honolulu to Midway have to land at night to avoid any interference with native […]
The birds of Midway Atoll are defined by their quirky characteristics. Each species has its own unique and fascinating traits. One incredible thing about Midway, when compared to other islands I’ve visited, is the sheer number of birds present. Since there are birds everywhere, it is impossible not to interact with them and begin to […]
As sentinels of the sea, Midway’s Albatross provide unique insight into the health and function of our marine ecosystems. Oceans cover more than 70% of the world’s surface area and are key to providing food for over 1 billion people and supporting the livelihoods of an additional 200 million people. Yet, our knowledge and understanding […]
Midway’s beloved birds, Laysan Albatross, are the signature wildlife of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. One of the wonders of the wide Pacific Ocean is that of a Laysan Albatross / Mōlī gliding across the waves and wind, seemingly without effort. They are made for a life at sea—and indeed, they spend the majority of […]