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The Seabirds of Midway Atoll
I was one of the last people to visit Midway Atoll before visitation was stopped (see sidebar). I continue to monitor efforts to reopen Midway to visitors. Some progress has been made, and I may be able to offer this trip again in 2009.
—Ralph Paonessa
Midway Atoll is a wonderful location for nature photographers. After almost a century of protection by the US Navy, it was converted to a wildlife refuge in 1996. Located 1,200 miles west of the main Hawaiian islands, it is home to two million nesting birds! And they are concentrated on 3 small islands, the largest of which is less than two square miles.
Midway offers incredible opportunities for photographing nesting albatross (over a million to choose from!), five species of tern and noddy, tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, and visiting shorebirds. Midway is limited to 100 visitors per week.
Midway Atoll lies 1,200 miles from the main Hawaiian Islands, a small dot in the center of the vast Pacific Ocean near the International Date Line. Among the 2 million nesting seabirds you will find 800,000 nesting Laysan Albatross and the world's second largest colony of Black-footed Albatross. These birds have long been protected and have no fear of humans. The adults have 6-7 foot wingspans. During our visit, large albatross chicks will be present in and around the nests.
Other nesting birds present in large numbers include White, Sooty, and Gray-backed Terns, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Great Frigatebird, and Red-footed Booby. Overwintering Pacific Golden Plover and Bristle-thighed Curlew will still be present. Midway is also home to endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, Green Sea Turtle, and Spinner Dolphin.
Midway's beach was recently rated "One of the World's 10 Best." During our visit, the average high is 77 F, the average low is 67 F. Accommodations are modern and comfortable, and reasonably priced meals are readily available.
Midway's History: Midway Atoll played a central role in the battle for the Pacific during World War II, but the US military base was decommissioned in 1996 and the island was designated a National Wildlife Refuge. Most of the buildings were removed, but enough infrastructure was retained to allow visitors to stay in modern accommodations (remodeled officers quarters) with several restaurants for meal options.