The two original islands in the Johnston Atoll, Kalama and Sand, were used as military outposts during World War II. The islands were enlarged through coral dredging and two artificial islands were created for additional space. Administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the atoll now serves as a wildlife refuge.
- - - - -
Calidris alba - Sanderlings are small wading birds with a body length of 20 centimeters and a wingspan stretching to 35 centimeters. A long migration route, 3,000 to 9,000 kilometers, takes the sanderling from summer breeding sites in the Arctic regions of Asia, Europe, and North America to winter feeding sites along milder coastal beaches. Breeding colors feature a white underside and a topside of reddish-brown colors speckled with black and white edges. Nonbreeding plumage is pale; a white belly and a greyish top.
