Amerman, Kenneth 1964 6 September 16 - Laysan Island We arrived off Laysan in the USNS "Shearwater" about 7 a.m. and dropped anchor about 0.4 mile off the west shore, in line with the "best landing" site. About 500 Sooty Terns, 1/4 - 1/5 immatures, were flying about the ship, and an estimated 1000 more were visible above the west side of the island. A few Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Fairy Terns flew around briefly. A small number of Red-footed Boobies and Blue-faced Boobies flew past on their way to sea. A few hundred Frigates could be seen over the island and several immatures played king of the roost on the radar mast and boom. Common Noddies, including many immatures were also around the ship - over 100 Sooty Shearwaters were seen before leaving. All the gear was loaded and the raft launched at 9 a.m. We landed at first opposite the former camping areas (Casuarinas) but then decided to set up camp on the northwest corner, where there is only open sand, hoping to avoid the flies. Red-footes in Casuarinas, Laysan Finches and Fairy Terns in Scaevola. Very open grassy area behind Casuarinas contained a few (8) Christmas Islands, Wedgetails and Sooty Terns. Latter not dense at all. Rested a while after setting up camp, then Dick, Alan Young, and I walked around the lagoon for survey while Paul, Doug, and Alan walked the outer beach. A total of ___ Common Noddies were scattered around the whole shore. Estimate 1000+ shorebirds in lagoon, primarily on west side, with Ruddy Trunstones, Golden Plover and Wandering Tattler in ratio of 100: 5: 1. Two Bristle-thighs were seen on the west side and three on thea east, though the latter may have included the former.