Oikonos - Ecosystem Knowledge

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What's New for Summer 2008

• Gallery Exhibit - Plastic Pollution
• Follow Albatross Migrations from Kure Atoll, the oldest island in the Hawaiian Chain
• Fourth Year of Albatross Tracking from Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
• New Websites: Pink-footed Shearwaters and Antarctic Underwater Field Guide
• New Project - Predator-proof Fence in New Zealand

New Gallery Exhibit

Helen Chellin, Plastic Pollution Multimedia

First Study of Black-footed Albatross At-Sea Habitats from Kure Atoll

	Since 2002, Oikonos has been working to conserve albatross and inspire responsible ocean stewardship. In June 2008, we will begin studying the migrations of Black-footed Albatross breeding on Kure Atoll, the westernmost island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Island Archipelago. Where the birds travel will be ground breaking information! It is not known what ocean habitats are important for these birds. Will they fly west to Japanese and Russian waters or fly east to the productive California coast? Updated Migration Maps	Partners: State of Hawai'i, DLNR-DOFAW Papahanaumokuakea National Monument Main Albatross Project Page

Fourth Year of Albatross Tracking from Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Oikonos is using satellite tracking to follow Black-footed albatross movements during their summer dispersal across the North Pacific Ocean. Previous albatross tracking in 2004 and 2005 revealed vast movements into the Northwest Pacific, with birds ranging as far as Hokkaido (Japan) and the Kuril Islands (Russia). Tracking in 2007 and 2008 focuses on how albatross distributions and movements are influenced by the wind patterns. Is their migration into the Western North Pacific influenced by large-scale wind patterns? Do individual birds migrate along high wind areas, outlining high pressure systems? Do storms affect albatross flight speed and heading? Live Migration Maps Beginning August 2008

Partners: Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Main Albatross Project Page

Announcing New Websites

	The Pink-footed Shearwater This new site, in English and Spanish, is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of a remarkable seabird whose travels span the Americas, from the oceanic waters of Chile to Canada. www.pinkfootedshearwater.org www.fardela.org Funded by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation	Underwater Antarctic Field Guide Presented by biologist and photographer, David Cothran, this site is an online field guide to the marine waters around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island. There are over 900 images taxonomically organized. www.oikonos.org/apfieldguide

New Project - Predator Fence to Protect a Shearwater colony in New Zealand

	This project will protect one of the last remaining mainland nesting sites for Sooty Shearwaters in New Zealand. The Luckenbach Trustees have selected this project to compensate for oil spill injuries incurred during the birds impressive migration to California waters. Fencing will reduce the pressure from introduced mammalian predators (possums, hedgehogs, rats, rabbits, stoats) on the shearwater colony and reduce the take of eggs, chicks, and adults. The reduction in grazing will increase native vegetation, and reduce soil erosion and damage to shearwater nesting burrows in the fragile sandy soil. Adjacent to the property is the world-renown mainland Northern Royal Albatross colony and nearby are nesting beaches of Yellow-eyed and Little Blue Penguins. Partners: Land owners Perry Reid and family Natures Wonders Eco-tours University of Otago Department of Conservation	Map of the Sooty Shearwater nesting area at Taiaroa Head, Dunedin, which currently has about 750 pairs. Black line shows the placement of the predator fence. Sooty Shearwater chick. The Maori, native New Zealanders, call these birds "Tïtï"