Endangered Species Act Protections Changed July 14, 2026, regulatory definition of “harm” rescinded. #Birds See more in comments. You can help: lnkd.in/ghpH7mYy Would you consider a contribution: lnkd.in/gQ-J9gTA Photos on Midway Atoll courtesy of USGS and Jon Plissner

Meet two more 2026 Art Contest judges! Last chance to enter is today. #Birds Mahalo to Caren Loebel-Fried and Wayne Sentman for sharing their time and expertise with this year's contest! Submit here: friendsofmidway.org/2026-art-con...

Back as a judge is J. Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco. Ass’t Prof of Hawaiian language at Honolulu Community College. He is also the coordinator of the Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group (CWG), and serves as the chair of the Nomenclature Subcommittee. #Birds

New Advocacy Resource! Help Protect Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) On 7/11/26, a Presidential Proclamation removed prohibitions on commercial fishing in portions of PapahānaumokuākeaYour voice can help before new regs are final. See details in comments. #Birds Photos Andrew Sullivan-Haskins & Dan Rapp

Káupu (Black-footed albatross) & mōlī (Laysan albatross) chicks heading out to sea for the first time. #Birds See comment for note by FWS Volunteer Crew Lead Molly Henling! Watch fledglings live: friendsofmidway.org/live-cam Help FOMA keep the camera streaming: friendsofmidway.org/live-cam-mem...

Independence Day 1942 saw quiet determination. President Roosevelt reminded all that freedom was being defended not w/celebration alone, but thru sacrifice, service, & resolve.More: friendsofmidway.org/a-reflection... A meaningful and safe Independence Day! Photo: Coast Guard 5th NYC 7/4/42 Getty

Tracking Tiny #Birds Former USFWS volunteer Sophie Elliott: “Finding out where & how far birds go to find food…[We tagged] ʻAkihikēʻehiʻale (Tristram's storm-petrels) on Eastern Island…The tiny tags are gently taped to the bird's tail feathers.” See comments. Photos Sophie Elliott and Dan Rapp

FOMA Art Contest OPEN! #Birds Artists of all ages are invited; 2nd Annual Friends of Midway Atoll Art Contest. Two categories: • Youth (Under 18) • Adults (18+) Submission window: June 15 – July 15, 2026 Guidelines & rules: lnkd.in/gNnqwPNR Submit your artwork here: lnkd.in/gs5XJG3w

World Honu Day; Hawaiian green sea turtle is a protected Endangered Species. See comments. friendsofmidway.org/celebrating-... Photos: USFWS Recovery Permits TE72088A-3,TE163899-2, NOAA Permit 21260, HI Lands & Natural Resources Special Activity Permit 2026-01, USFWS Recovery Permit TE-163899-2

Art Contest OPEN thru July 15! Show us your Kuaihelani: paint, pencil, ink, or mixed media. Categories: Over 18/Under 18 Rules, guidelines & submission: friendsofmidway.org/foma-art-con... Below from FOMA's 2025 Art Contest by Juliana Ramirez, Shay Rempfer, Christine Ogura, Sarah Donahue #Birds

Wisdom's Grand-chick HH33 (offspring of N333) banded by Acting Refuge Manager Rob Vinson and Volunteer Crew Lead Molly Henling. See comments. Join in conservation: friendsofmidway.org/fb-donate-me... Wisdom's lineage: friendsofmidway.org/wisdoms-line... HH33 growing: youtu.be/ZW8gHzCVBwU #Birds

National Wildlife Refuges—including Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll)—need your voice. See more in comments. #Birds Take a few minutes. -Enter your address -Personalize the message (optional) -The system finds your members of Congress & sends. Click the link; make your voice heard. lnkd.in/g7gb5c_y

Current six-month volunteer Colleen McDonough captured a pair of ʻUaʻu kani and (Wedge-tailed Shearwaters). “Their round, soft bodies, faces that look like they're smiling, and the way they cuddle up together under the dense naupaka... utterly adorable! They perform courtship preening….” #Birds

84th Anniversary, Battle of Midway, June 4-6. In 2024, Friends of Midway Atoll partnered w/freelance photographer Jon Brack to explore the National Archives in D.C. #Birds Today, we share images honoring courage, sacrifice & everyday life. Find more exclusive photos on our blog: lnkd.in/gRCYnv2V

FOMA's Art Contest! Two categories: Over 18 and Under 18 Submissions open June 15 - July 15 First, Second and People's Choice winners Up to 3 pieces of artwork per artist. Every entrant receives FREE one-year membership to FOMA. Rules, guidelines & prizes: friendsofmidway.org/foma-art-con...

ʻĀ (Red-footed Booby) nesting in naupaka on Eastern Island in April 2026 (thanks Sophie Elliott) at eye level. #Birds Fun fact: ʻĀ are the only booby species that nest almost exclusively in shrubs & trees.

Translocation/regeneration. Young finches newly hatched; parents translocated from Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll) in July 2025 — evidence that this historic conservation effort is succeeding. More in comments. Photos by Dan Rapp / USFWS #Birds Translocation in action: lnkd.in/gtwvP7Kb

Memorial Day flag-raising at the Battle of Midway National Memorial honored the brave men and women of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. More in comments. #Birds Mahalo to Dan Rapp for sharing these meaningful images from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

6-month volunteer Sam graduated from UC Santa Cruz last year; worked w/sea #Birds on Southeast Farallon Island (CA). Donations sustain Kuaihelani’s 6-month volunteers dedicating time. See comments re shoes! Help continue the conservation efforts on Kuaihelani: friendsofmidway.org/fb-donate-me...

From Kuaihelani: ‘Ā — the Hawaiian name used for booby species in the islands, believed to derive from the bird’s guttural calls. See more in comments. #Birds View our blog post for previous Sunday Morning Moments: friendsofmidway.org/your-sunday-...

Here’s current volunteer Greta, who studied Public Health at Westminster College (UT) & has experience with #Birds & fieldwork. “[M]y volunteer role has been a privilege: …forming a…connection to such a unique & historically significant place, & learning from dedicated researchers….”

Meet current 6 month volunteer Colleen: “I…studied environmental science at U of FL. I…was particularly obsessed with albatrosses…& hope to continue working w/ albatrosses after Midway & research their behavior in grad school. TY so much to FOMA, my amazing crew lead Molly, & USFWS staff….” #Birds

Kaʻupu (Black-footed Albatross) chicks on Kuaihelani are practicing wing flaps. New feathers replace soft down; entire colonies erupt into synchronized flapping as chicks test the winds. Mahalo nui loa to Dan Rapp for this glimpse into Kuaihelani’s #Birds friendsofmidway.org/fb-donate-me...

Annual FOMA Art Contest! Thru 7/15, celebrate Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). Whether inspired by albatross, marine life, history/culture, or landscapes of the Islands, bring attention to one of the most remote refuges on Earth. More in comments. Guidelines: friendsofmidway.org/foma-art-con... #Birds

Former Midway volunteer Sophie Elliott’s glimpse into albatross chick season shows a special part of Midway life! Young chicks are often so round and heavy when they first leave the nest that they drag their bellies through the sand, leaving smooth little trails between their footprints. #Birds

Volunteers, new Storytelling Initiative. More in comments. #Birds We welcome three new volunteers who will remain through September: Colleen McDonough, Greta Wasler, & Sam Baxter-Bray. We also extend gratitude to departing volunteers Ayla Liss, Gianna Arcuri, Katie Hearther, & Sophie Elliott.

Current volunteers track albatross chicks using temporary colored bands—matching chicks back to its nest as each explores. They also check feather development (fluffy to fully feathered) before chicks are ready for their permanent bands. Their detailed, hands-on work makes a lasting impact. #Birds

Mother’s Day cards & more:one w/Wisdom & chick,another w/artwork by Sheldon Plentovich. Also tumbler featuring her artwork & FOMA logo.Each honors Mom & supports Kuaihelani. Available until May 15!(allow up to 10 business days for delivery) Mahalo for supporting Midway fomastore.printful.me #Birds

Tomorrow! Drones Over Kuaihelani, 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Biologist and drone operator Anna Vallery on drone technology transforming seabird monitoring on Midway Atoll, w/live Q&A. All who sign up will receive access to the recording: friendsofmidway.org/register-for... #Birds

Earth Day is Every Day at Kuaihelani From seabirds to seep cleans, daily conservation work keeps Midway’s ecosystem thriving—thanks to dedicated USFWS volunteers. Our limited Earth Day shirt is available through April 30 #Birds Support the work. Wear the message. Shop now: fomastore.printful.me