Welcome

We are the Pacific Region Migratory Birds & Habitat Program. The Pacific Region (Region 1) includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawai’i, and the Pacific Islands. We work to support migratory bird conservation through research, public involvement, and management of migratory bird species and their habitats.

We collaborate with a diverse range of partners to promote conservation of migratory birds through science-based management of populations and habitats.  We work both on and off public lands to support national and international bird conservation plans and initiatives.

NEPA Documents Posted for Public Comment

We have two Draft Environmental Assessments currently open for public comment. The first is to permit take under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act for the West Butte Wind Project in Oregon. This is open for comment through February 2, 2012. The second is to permit the National Marine Fisheries Service for incidental take of seabirds in the Hawaiian-based shallow-set longline fishery. This is open for comment through February 9, 2012. Additional information can be found on our NEPA page.

First Nihoa Millerbird Eggs on Laysan in 90 years!

In September 2011, an historic scientific expedition began to establish a population of the endangered Nihoa Millerbird on Laysan Island to guard against the rare bird’s possible extinction. Nihoa and Laysan Islands are part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).  In October, the first Millerbird eggs were laid on Laysan, marking a return after 90 years! To follow their progress, visit the Nihoa Millerbird site. The Millerbird Translocation Project is a partnership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and American Bird Conservancy.

Tsunami Debris Heading for Midway and Northwest Hawaiian Islands

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are currently tracking debris from March 2011 Japan Tsunami. The moving eastward, now estimated to reach Midway and the northwest Hawaiian islands between January and March 2012, reaching the west coast of the United States in 2013. The debris includes large pieces, such as entire buildings and boats. The timing of the debris arrival could prove critical for nesting seabirds, which suffered a severe blow last nesting season from the tsunami itself. For more information or to track the tsunami debris, visit the EPA Marine Debris (green box on right) and NOAA Marine Debris sites.

We Have Updated Our Website!

Thanks for visiting our new site! To better serve you, we have made some changes as to how information is organized and what information is available. Please take some time to look around! As this is a new site, some items are still being developed and will be completed by January 2012. If you have any requests for information you would like to see on our site or if you have any comments or concerns as you explore (broken links, items from the old site that you use and are missing, etc.), please feel free to contact us. Your feedback is appreciated!