A project to replace the ground counting of albatrosses on Midway Atoll with drones receives matching funds

Drone image of Laysan Albatrosses on Midway Atoll during the 2024/25 breeding season

The Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (FOMA) has received a US$50 000 grant from the Marisla Foundation for "Flying High for Conservation", the second year of a three-year effort to revolutionize seabird monitoring using drones on Midway Atoll.  The project, led by researchers Anna Vallery and Dan Link, aims to replace the annual ground-based censuses of Black-footed Phoebastria nigripes and Laysan P. immutabilis Albatrosses (over 600 000 occupied nests were counted last year) with more efficient, less disruptive drone technology.

FOMA is adding US$25 000 to the Marisla grant.  “We are asking you, our closest supporters, to help us raise the final funds needed. Every dollar you donate unlocks three more, helping us hit our uus$100 000 goal!”

The funds raised will also help support the Hatch Year 2026 Annual Counters.  The 2026 count is considered critical for the Refuge to get accurate figures for the two species of breeding albatrosses, and the drone research can only be ground-truthed if carried out concurrently.

“A drone image helps to refine sector boundaries on Midway Atoll”

Click here to become a FOMA member or to make a donation.

Read an earlier ACAP Latest News article on using drones in Midway.

Information and photographs from the FOMA Facebook page.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 11 November 2025