Gifts to the universe from Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) deliver moments of hope for a critically endangered species. And as for Wisdom, the oldest known banded bird in the wild has been working her Tinder App amongst the field of available mōlī or Laysan albatross males since mid-January 2024!
Makalena or short-tailed albatross known as affectionately on Midway as George and Geraldine are currently caring for their chick that was believed to have hatched on Christmas Eve. Jon Plissner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently studying footage captured by the field camera—a gift made possible by you, the Friends of Midway—to determine the exact date and time of hatching. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteers witnessed this gorgeous couple snuggled together on Christmas Eve and Day as George made occasional short trips for seafood. We hope to be posting the chick's first photo shoot soon!
It continues to be a family makalena affair on Kuaihelani with continual sightings of banded makalena AA08 near it's parental nest—a sibling of this new chick that hatched in 2019. Another short-tailed albatross returnee is also continuing to hang out near the forest's edge on the Northeast side of Sand Island.
Meanwhile Wisdom, who is at least 73-years-old, was sighted on Christmas Eve and Day and has been sighted flirting and using her Tinder App since mid-January 2024! Volunteer Bird Counter Joelle sighted her on Christmas Eve and Nick Minnich witnessed her dancing on Christmas Day with an un-banded available male! See Nick's image and video below!
There are not enough words to say mahalo (thank you) for your support this year that made a substantial difference in habitat restoration, communication, honoring historical and cultural significance, and research efforts on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial. Looking back your accomplishments are noted here! Going forward, gift here before the New Year to the Friends of Midway Atoll to help these birds thrive for many years to come!