The Miracle of Midway: a Million Albatrosses and Counting - a lecture by Susan Scott

Videos and Lectures"The Miracle of Midway: a Million Albatrosses and Counting" is a 35-minute illustrated lecture by Susan Scott, a Board Member of the Hawaiian Audubon Society.  Its abstract follows:

"During World War II, soldiers shot albatrosses that nested on or near Midwayʻs runways.  Later, Midway residents planted a daisy called crownbeard* that went wild, covering much of the birdsʻ nesting areas. Today, we litter the ocean with plastic trash that the birds swallow.  Yet Midwayʻs albatrosses thrive. Join me in sharing my Midway experiences of counting, living with and falling in love with one of Hawaiiʻs most magnificent native species."

*Golden Crownbeard Verbesina encelioides.

Susan Scott has written to ACAP Latest News on behalf of the Hawaiian Audubon Society: “Hawaii’s albatross populations have suffered staggering losses over the centuries, yet our three Northern Hemisphere species continue to nest in the Hawaiian Archipelago.  World Albatross Day is a fine way to share with the world the marvel of these magnificent birds’ continued survival.”  Susan continues “I work as a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, most recently counting Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses at Midway Atoll.  The count ending in January 2020 shows the two species numbering within their normal ranges”.

Susan Scott breaks her counting on Midway Atoll to commune weith a trusting Laysan Albatross

With grateful thanks to Susan Scott for allowing the use of her lecture here.

Posted 23 April 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-cN60UYfR0&fbclid=IwAR2WhWG7dmhfKZ8dM1bc33VrICKcxd54j0o07c67ONOEGAfNEkqwuanQVmk