Amerman, Kenneth 1964 Sooty Tern Early December - flocks of -- 100 offshore every night. Late December - 5 to 10,000 around island at night. December 29 - 300 to 400 roosting for first time (first large number). January 15 - Forty to fifty thousand came in at night; two to four thousand roosting. Begin arriving 5 to 4 p.m., remaining offshore in dense clouds on both sides of the island until shortly before dark, when they begin to move in. Do not land until after dark. The birds get up off the ground about 2 a.m. Birds gone by 6 a.m. - do not know when they left. January 24 - 31 -- No sooties roosting on road. Birds would not land in large numbers until moon was down. February 1 -- Birds roosting on road again and landing at dark (8 to 8:10). January 28 - February 18 -- A few scattered eggs in roosting areas, deserted immediately; probably due to our disturbance. Feburay 10 -- First time numbers present in immediate vicinity of the island during the day. About 200 wheeling around islet and ~50 alighting on it several times, during the morning. Those flying would occasionally drift over the main island and then return to the islet. February 14 - Birds arriving noticeably later in afternoon, moving into immediate vicinity of island much quicker rather than hanging far offshore. Main body of birds arrives after 4:30. First eggs, on islet.