Midway, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is one of the world's most spectacular wildlife experiences. Nearly three million birds call it home for much of each year, including the world's largest population of Laysan Albatrosses, or "gooney birds". Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and spinner dolphins frequent Midway's crystal blue lagoon.
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Mailing Address:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Midway Atoll NWR
94-155 Leo'ole Street
Suite B211
Waipahu, HI 96797
Office: (808) 954-4818
Laysan duck population at Midway Atoll reaches an all-time high, while ka‘upu nesting numbers reach 2nd all-time high and mōlī nesting numbers reach 4th all-time high
Laysan Duck numbers at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Batlle of Midway National Memorial are at an all-time high. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Staff and volunteers recorded a total of 1,239 adult birds this week, the second time this season with counts larger than1,200 individuals and 400 more birds than in any previous year’s counts. At one seep alone (Sunset Seep on Eastern Island), there were 600 ducks in and around the waterbody, more than the entire estimated population on Kamole (Laysan Island). Laysan ducks are the second most endangered duck species in the world.
Ka‘upu (Black-footed Albatross) numbers were also surprisingly high this season with a total of 28,246 nesting Black-footed albatross nests counted. Making this year’s count the second highest all-time for kaʻupu. Of all the albatross species of Hawaiʻi, kaʻupu are the smallest in size.
Although we recorded a decrease by 5% from last year's total nest counts, mōlī (Laysan albatross) numbers actually reached the fourth highest count ever documented at Midway Atoll NWR with 589,623 Laysan albatross nests. It is not uncommon in a given year, for population counts on Midway to increase or decrease by 10 to 25%. USFWS staff have confirmed that Wisdom did not lay an egg this year, though she has been visiting Midway Atoll, including another recent visit last week.
Staff and volunteers at Midway Atoll also are celebrating the highest number of short-tailed albatross ever documented in one year at Midway with a total of 8 individuals so far in 2026.
Volunteers are essential for the Midway Atoll albatross count conducted annually. Through intensive foot surveys, our volunteers overcome challenges like storms and complex landscapes to tally mōlī and ka'upu nests, providing vital data for one of the world's largest seabird colonies. The FWS is grateful to our volunteers for their passion, dedication, and meticulous efforts year-in-and-year out—that contribute to our understanding of the health and resilience of albatross on Midway. The FWS is also thankful to the Friends of Midway Atoll a non-profit that supports the refuge by funding important activities like the albatross count.