Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Laysan Albatross and Penguins

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sassyk
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Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sat Feb 24, 2018 2:40 pm

Welcome to the Laysan Albatross cam for the 2017/2018 season.

This cam is made available through the Cornell Lab of Ornithololgy with thanks to the generous property owner on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Laysan Albatross

One of the most marvelous sights in the Pacific ocean is the graceful glide of a Laysan Albatross at play among the winds and waves. These expert soarers can travel hundreds of miles per day with barely a wingbeat. They nest on islands of the tropical Pacific, but they may head out to Japan, the Aleutian Islands, or California to feed. Laysan Albatrosses are numerous, though they face threats from longline fishing, plastic trash in the ocean, and predation by dogs, rats, and cats.

Laysan Albatrosses are pelagic birds of the open Pacific Ocean. Your best bet for finding one off the continental United States is to take a pelagic birding trip from the West Coast. Note that you are more likely to see Black-footed Albatrosses, but Laysan Albatrosses are fairly regularly seen as well. If you are in Hawaii, there are breeding populations on Oahu and Kauai where you can see the birds from land if you visit in the appropriate months (roughly November to July).
Click on the title for more details - many photos - and map.

Link to the web cam here

When you click on the link to the live streaming video, there are boxes below the cam view that you can click for more information on the Laysan Albatross and there is a lot of very interesting info. There is also a link to Twitter if you wish to tweet your observations and s'caps (and have a Twitter account) here

Many thanks to the property owner who has made it possible this season to watch 3 different nests. Click on the Timeline box below the cam view to read about the chicks and their parents who occupy the three nests.

Additional links to Facebook pages:
Kauai Laysan Albatross Cam Fans
Hob Osterlund
Laysan Albatross
Wisdom A Laysan Albatross

Link to previous years' observations and s'caps here

Link to the first post of this new season here with thanks to IrishEyes/Bev

The parents in Nest #1 over by the bush are Mom Namaka, Band #KP085, Dad Aukele, Band #KP669. The chick has been named Makali'i and the sex has not been determined yet.
The parents in Nest #2, front nest between the palms, are Mom Moana, Band #H633, Dad Manawanui, Band #KP796. The chick has been named Mo'ikeha and is a female.
The parents in Nest #3, back nest between the palms, are Mom Bennie, Band #H632, Dad Jett, Band #K747. The chick has been named Kiamanu and is a female.

I hope you enjoy watching these beautiful birds and their cute fluffy chicks :rh:
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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sassyk
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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sat Feb 24, 2018 2:40 pm

Click on the link to my YouTube channel here to see my videos of the albatross families.

Here are a few s'caps that I have not posted on the old forum.

Feb. 10th - Makali'i and Dad Aukele snoozing in Nest #1.
Makali'i and Dad snoozing Feb. 10th.jpg

Feb. 11th - Makali'i and Dad Aukele in Nest #1.
Screenshot_2018_02-11 14-05-58 Nest #1.jpg

Feb. 11th - Dad Eukele stetches his huge wings in Nest #1 while Makali'i watches.
Screenshot_2018-02-11 15-21-45 Nest #1.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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sassyk
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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sat Feb 24, 2018 2:41 pm

Cornell Albatross posted these s'caps on the site.

Feb. 14th. Wonderful story :rh:
Capture2.JPG

Feb. 15th - Moms & daughters snoozing on Nests #2 & #3.
Capture8.JPG

Feb. 15th - Makali'i in Nest #1 doing her morning yoga.
Capture9.JPG
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sat Feb 24, 2018 2:42 pm

S'caps taken Feb. 17th.

Makali'i wanders out of the nest (#1) and picks at the grass. Eventually decided the leaf wasn't worth eating and dropped it.
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-12-14.jpg
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-12-34.jpg
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-13-47.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:48 pm

A few more s'caps taken Feb. 17th during Makali'i's excursion out of the nest.

While practicing some wing flapping Makali'i fell face first into the nest.
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-17-40.jpg
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-17-53.jpg

Makali'i promptly got up and looked around as if to say 'hey, what happened'.
Screenshot_2018-02-17 15-18-13.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 04, 2018 3:58 pm

Here's a cute video from the Laysan Albatross site, recorded Feb. 28th. Chicks Mo'ikeha and Kiamanu were having a little sparing match :wub:
:vid:

Another cute video from the Laysan Albatross site, recorded Feb. 26th. Chick Mo'ikeha in nest #2 takes a little stroll out of the nest for the first time :wub:
:vid:

This s'cap was posted on the Laysan Albatross site, taken during the incubation period. It shows that nests 2 & 3 are not as close as they appear on the cam view.
Nests 2 & 3 between the palm trees.JPG
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 04, 2018 4:44 pm

I recorded a video earlier of a very busy Mo'ikeha, chick in nest #2, preening, stretching, exercising her wings, going for a short stroll out of the nest, pooping in the grass, then waddling back to the nest.
:vid:
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:08 pm

Poor little Makali'i in nest #1 was being scolded by a visiting tross :( The visitor was getting
quite rough but I guess it's one of the social skills young trosses have to learn :ohmy:
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-48-16.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-48-45.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-49-06.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:10 pm

The scolding continues :(
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-49-57.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-50-12.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-51-16.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:11 pm

Last few s'caps of the scolding :(
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-51-30.jpg

This was when the visitor became quite aggressive :cry1:
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-52-09.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-11 21-52-34.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:14 pm

Mr. Rooster visits Mo'ikeha at Nest #2.
Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-05-38.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-06-01.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-06-19.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:16 pm

Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-07-07.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-07-32.jpg
Screenshot_2018-03-12 12-07-50.jpg
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Fri Mar 16, 2018 9:38 pm

Mar. 16th - video of Mo'ikeha being fed by Dad Manawanui :vid:

S'caps of Kiamanu in Nest #3 visiting Mo'ikeha in Nest #2.
Capture1.JPG
Capture2.JPG
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:38 am

March 17th - Kiamanu (Nest 3) walking on her feet :woohoo:
Mar. 17 Capture1.JPG
Mar. 23rd - Makali'i (Nest 1) stretching wings.
Mar. 23 Capture1.JPG
Mar. 23rd - Makal'i big stretch!
Mar. 23 Capture2.JPG
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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Re: Laysan Albatross ~ Kauai, Hawaii

Post by sassyk » Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:50 pm

Wow, I haven't been here for awhile. I did snip some s'caps from the Cornell Albatross site on Apr. 3rd.

S'caps courtesy of Samantha Eye.
Apr. 3rd 10.34am.JPG
Apr. 3rd 10.42am.JPG

S'cap taken Apr. 4th.
Apr. 4th 7.01am.JPG
Member since 21 June 2006
Volunteer Nest Monitor for Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
If you find a new nest, please contact me so it can be added to the WiTS mapping program.

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