What's Happening on Tern Island?

Sooty Tern, ʻEwaʻewa; photo by Paula Hartzell

Previously, in this blog, we've mentioned our neighbor Hawaiian Island to the northwest, Kure Atoll:

• Dolphin Survey -- May 2010: Pictures and a video clip showing dolphin work done by Cynthia Vanderlip, Matt Saunter and Ilana Nimz a crew of staff and volunteers at Midway prior to their deployment to Kure.

• Kure Atoll: Part of the ʻOhana -- August 2010: This post begins with an explanation of how the chain of Hawaiian Islands was formed from volcanoes.  Hawaii state Department of Land and Natural Resources staffers, Syd Kawahakui, Jr. and Jason Misaki, are introduced on their way to Kure.

Tern Island within FFS is part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Now we "tern" our attention to our neighbor to the southeast, Tern Island Field Station within French Frigate Shoals.

Visit the French Frigate Shoals: Kānemilohaʻi, Tern Island Blog.  Beginning in December, a new crew will be doing oceanic bird work, habitat restoration, marine debris monitoring and other projects over the winter and spring seasons.  During the summer, there will be additional work with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and Hawaiian Monk Seals  You can follow all the happenings on the blog.   

360-degree View from an Atoll Island

 

Midway Atoll is...well, about midway between Asia and North America in the North Pacific Ocean. Imagine you're standing on an old World War II runway in the center of Miday's Eastern Island and you turn slowly around in a circle.  You'll hear the wind and LOTS of Sooty Terns, `Ewa`ewa (Terna fuscata oahuensis.)

360-degree View from Midway Atoll's Eastern Island from Barb Mayer on Vimeo.