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title: "The numbers are in: Midway Atoll’s latest Annual Albatross Nest Count approaches half a million breeding pairs"
---

# The numbers are in: Midway Atoll’s latest Annual Albatross Nest Count approaches half a million breeding pairs

![Counters Jan 2020 Eastern](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/People/Counters_Jan_2020_Eastern.jpg) 

 Five of the thirteen 2019/20 albatross counters on Eastern Island next to a WWI gun; from left: Breck Tyler, Martha Brown, Craig Marsh, Susan Scott and Caren Loebel-Fried

 Photograph by Martha Brown

 Totals of 446 791 occupied nests of Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* and 23 373 of Black-footed Albatrosses *P. nigripes* were counted on the USA’s [Midway Atoll](https://www.acap.aq/en/news/news-archive/60-2013-news-archive/1434-acap-breeding-site-no-36-midway-atoll-black-footed-laysan-and-short-tailed-albatrosses-within-a-world-heritage-site?highlight=WyJuYXVnaHRvbiJd) to give an overall total of 470 164 for the current 2019/20 breeding season (to which can be added a [single Short-tailed Albatross *P. albatrus* breeding pair](https://www.acap.aq/en/latest-news/3489-midway-s-short-tailed-albatrosses-george-and-geraldine-hatch-their-latest-egg)).  Counts were made on all the islands within the atoll, Eastern, Sand and Spit, over the period 15 December 2019 to 3 January 2020.

 “Since 1994, yearly censuses of the planet's largest albatross colony provide crucial information to assess the long-term albatross population trends and ultimately the productive health of the ocean.  As [Wisdom](https://www.acap.aq/en/latest-news/3502-laysan-albatrosses-wisdom-and-akeakamai-are-taking-a-gap-year?highlight=WyJ3aXNkb20iLCJ3aXNkb20ncyIsIid3aXNkb20nIiwiJ3dpc2RvbScsIiwyMDIwLCIyMDIwJ3MiXQ==) has proven, albatrosses are long-lived species and can skip a year of breeding.  Sexual maturity typically occurs at 8-10 years of age.  The counters worked very hard through the holidays covering by foot approximately 1,549 acres [627 ha].  After completing the census, these bird counters built aviaries and participated in invasive plant removal, marine debris clean-ups, mapping Bonin Petrel [*Pterodroma hypoleuca*] burrow densities, and out-planting of native plants in restoration areas.”

 ![Laysan Albatross Pair by James Lloyd](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan%20Albatross%20Pair%20by%20James%20Lloyd.jpg)

 A Laysan Albatross pair on Midway Atoll, photograph by James Lloyd

 "January 2019 grand total active nest was 619,880; Laysan albatross: 593,664, the second highest count on record and black-footed albatross: 26,108. This year, the count revealed a 25% decrease of Laysan albatross active nests and a 10% for black-footed albatross. On December 29, 2019 a dramatic high water event occurred, causing a near complete wash-over of the islet Spit and a devastating 90% loss of Spit’s albatross nests."

 The annual albatross census is conducted with the financial help of the [Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofMidwayNWR/) and other donors.  Information and photograph from FOMA’s Facebook page.

 Read more about this season’s volunteer counters [here](https://www.acap.aq/en/latest-news/3508-crossing-the-equator-the-wad2020-banner-challenge-reaches-midway-atoll).

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 05 February 2020*