Advancing Seabird Monitoring on Midway Atoll
Sunday, April 26, 2026
- 11:00am Hawai’i Time
- 2:00 PM Pacific Time
- 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Friends of Midway Atoll (FOMA) for a special live webinar presentation exploring how cutting-edge drone technology is helping researchers study one of the world’s largest seabird colonies.
This free online event will feature guest speaker Anna Vallery, a biologist and licensed drone pilot who recently volunteered her time on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) to help advance aerial monitoring of seabirds. Anna will share a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative drone research project supporting Midway’s annual albatross census, including how drones are helping scientists collect high-resolution data across the atoll’s vast nesting colonies.
Since 1991, biologists and volunteers have walked the entire 1,500-acre Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge each year to count albatross nests—creating one of the most comprehensive seabird monitoring datasets in the world. As conservation programs face growing challenges such as limited funding and staffing, new tools like drone technology may help ensure that this critical long-term monitoring continues.
During this webinar, Anna will discuss:
- The challenges and opportunities of working with seabirds in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands
- How drones are being used to support monitoring efforts
- How imagery from drones can be analyzed to count birds, distinguish between breeding and non-breeding albatross
…and more!
Anna will also share photos and insights from two weeks of fieldwork on Midway Atoll, where she and fellow drone operator Dan Link surveyed multiple areas across the refuge. This presentation will include a slideshow and live Q&A session, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how emerging technologies are shaping the future of seabird conservation.
Whether you’re a long-time supporter of Midway or simply curious about the intersection of technology and wildlife research, this webinar offers a fascinating look at conservation science in action.
Registration
This event is free, but registration is required to receive the webinar access link.