Friends Of Midway Atoll (FOMA)

Native plant restoration provides habitat for #Birds on Kuaihelani. Loulu, naio, mili and nehe are propagated and outplanted year-round by USFWS staff and volunteers. Mahalo to volunteer Sophie Elliott for photos.

Little ones all over Kuaihelani are in practice mode. Eventually they'll be getting higher than nest height. For now, they'll stretch and train those muscles needed for an eventual 6-foot wingspan!

Mahalo nui loa to USFWS volunteer Dan Rapp for this photo taken a few days ago. #Birds

#Birds

The Backbone of Heaven: Kuaihelani (Midway) Atoll — The Safina Center By Safina Center Conservationist in Residence Hob Osterlund

Kuaihelani, Backbone of Heaven. Thanks, Hob Osterlund!

www.safinacenter.org/blog/backbon...

FYI we do have the Hawaiian Word Book For Kids online:

Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary Poster The seascape of Papahānaumokuākea is like no other place on Earth. Its great cultural significance to Kānaka ʻŌiwi is represented through the art of wayfinding and stars at sunrise over Mokumanamana. ...

Thanks to #NOAAOfficeOfMarineSanctuaries
for the anniversary reminder and the poster. #Birds

sanctuaries.noaa.gov/posters/papa...

ʻAkihikeʻehiʻale are one of many seabird species w/at least half breeding population in PapahānaumokuākeaFollowing rat eradication, breeding was confirmed in 2016. As global population estimated ~20,000 birds w/reliance on low-lying islands, Tristram’s Storm Petrels remain a conservation priority.

Tristram's Storm Petrel Nest Box Action, Midway Atoll YouTube video by Eco🌎Nut

Nighttime magic from Midway.
ʻAkihikeʻehiʻale — Tristram’s Storm Petrel (smaller)
Nunulu — Bonin Petrel trail cam video by Greg Joder.
More in comments. #Birds

Video here:
youtu.be/mH76hSIwmwA?...
How nest boxes are built:
friendsofmidway.org/tristrams-st...

Support FOMA:
www.friendsofmidway.org

🇨🇱 Chilean scientists warn of spread of avian flu in Antarctica

Scientists are sounding the alarm over the spread of bird flu across Antarctica, with a leading Chilean researcher telling AFP of an observed strain "capable of killing 100 percent" of infected fauna.

Birdwatching may reshape the brain and build its buffer against ageing Expert birdwatchers have changes in their brain structure compared with novices, which probably help them better identify birds and may even protect against age-related cognitive decline

www.newscientist.com/article/2516...

#Birds

Living With Albatrosses: Reflections of my Research on Midway Atoll By Heidi J. Auman, Ph.D.Note: All photos provided by Heidi Heidi surrounded by Mōlī (Laysan Albatross) on Kuaihelani. When I first stepped off the military C-141 onto the hot tarmac of Sand Island,…

Heidi’s full article:
friendsofmidway.org/living-with-...

When Dr. Heidi Auman first arrived on Midway in 1993, she expected fieldwork. She found…”Inside the chicks..,the scattered remnants of our modern world — bottle caps, discarded lighters, bits of toys…”
97% of Laysan albatross chicks studied had plastic in their stomachs.
More in comments.

Volunteer Ayla Liss, gently holding a black-footed albatross for banding, is from Maine, in her 7th field season.
“I volunteered/worked for the Seabird Institute…[&] Alaska Maritime….hardworking & fun people to engage with is one of the things that make this place special… [&] inspiring me….”

Wed 2/25 event!

Midway’s managed wetlands provide a lifeline for those “other” migratory birds. Author and photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Nikki Preston. Special Note: This was written before the albatross landed on Midway Atoll fall of 2024. Due to a Wisdom-related fre…

friendsofmidway.org/midways-mana...

Midway’s managed wetlands. Thanks 2025 volunteer Nikki Preston!
Pictured here: Long-billed Dowitchers sharing the wetlands with a Kōlea (Pacific Golden-plover) and Koloa Pōhaka (Laysan Duck), tucked amongst the button sedge.

Read more about the managed wetlands of Kuaihelani in comments.
#Birds

Wisdom’s Lineage Prevails! [Note: Most recent photos will be at the bottom.] While it is true that Wisdom (the world’s oldest known wild banded bird) has not been sighted recently, her chick from 2011, identified by the leg …

N333 survived the 2011 tsunami as a chick & returned to Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) to raise the next generation. His full-circle journey reminds powerfully of these birds’ resilience and why it’s important to protect their home.

👉 Read more about N333 here:
friendsofmidway.org/wisdoms-line...

Wisdom’s legacy continues; N333 (Wisdom’s son of 2011) welcomes a chick of his own. Thanks to USFWS volunteer Dan Rapp, we now get an up-close look at this newest member of Wisdom’s remarkable family tree. See more in comments and see newsletter
friendsofmidway.org/subscribe-ne...
#Birds #Wisdom

“[Since graduating my history includes] Florida Keys Hawkwatch, Seabird Institute, Avian Research and Conservation Institute, & the Everglades Wading Bird Project with UF.

Thank you to our crew lead Molly, USFWS staff, & FOMA for your support in making this opportunity [on Midway] possible.”

Volunteer Gianna safely holds Ka’upu for banding.
“I studied plant science at the University of Florida…We arrived… & got to watch the atoll transform from mostly vegetation to fields full of albatross (and now chicks!) I have also enjoyed learning about the plants here….”
More in comments

#Birds

Open seats:
• Commercial Fishing (Primary & Alternate)
• Native Hawaiian Elder (Alternate)
Applications due March 16, 2026,5p.m.
Late applications not considered.

Voices Needed for PapahānaumokuākeaNational Advisory Council.
Help ensure community perspectives are included in sanctuary mgmt/decision-making.
Two open
seats.

See more in comments. #Birds

sanctuaries.noaa.gov/papahanaumok...

Adults go to sea & replenish w/food for rapidly growing chicks. Adults may have to prioritize their own survival vs. risking everything in a single breeding season. For long-lived seabirds, adult survival sustains the population (chick loss occurs but healthy oceans give families better chances).

#Birds solo, first post fumbled. Sorry.
This is a normal stage in the albatross life cycle.
=> More in comments.

Mahalo to our generous donors who made this live camera possible. Become a member today:
friendsofmidway.org/fb-donate-me...

Live cam:
friendsofmidway.org/live-cam

Adults go to sea & replenish w/food for rapidly growing chicks. Adults may have to prioritize their own survival vs. risking everything in a single breeding season. For long-lived seabirds, adult survival sustains the population (chick loss occurs but healthy oceans give families better chances).

Aloha everyone! My name is Katie Hearther. I am from Ewa, O‘ahu, and live in ʻAiea.”

To learn more about Katie, continue reading here:
friendsofmidway.org/introducing-...

Greet volunteer Katie, a 2020 U of WA grad w/double major in Oceanography & Marine Biology & minor in Arctic Studies wishing to
“…play a small part in perpetuating a space w/such staggering natural & cultural heritage." #Birds
More in comments!

[Katie holding Black-footed albatross for banding]

On Kuaihelani, a devoted pair of Makalena (Short-tailed Albatross, Phoebastria albatrus) George and Geraldine share quiet moments of nuzzling and gentle preening — small gestures that strengthen a lifelong bond.

Snuggle a little closer. 💛 #Birds

With 35+ years in avian ecology & 8+ years on the atoll, Jon’s leadership/research/stewardship shaped this important habitat; his legacy is in every data set & w/every volunteer he inspired. MAHALO, Jon, for your passion, mentorship, & commitment to Midway’s birds & ecosystems. Aloha a hui hou!

Legacy of Dr. Jon Plissner, a rock of conservation science on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). He’s working offsite until his official retirement in April 2026. #Birds

Bio in comments. Read more here friendsofmidway.org/a-life-among...

☺️Join us in saying MAHALO to Jon