2
General Discussion
Numbers decreased 17 % from 2960 in January to 2445 in February.
This decrease was due mainly to a drop in Sooty Tern numbers which more
than accounted for the difference of 515 birds. Sooty Tern numbers
dropped 585 and, although they were still the predominant species of
the area, they accounted for only 73 % of the total compared with 91%
in January. There is no apparent cause for this decline. An increase
was anticipated.
Procellariiformes were very scarce in the area. The two most
plentiful, Black-footed Albatross and Leach's Petrel, showed no apparent
gain in numbers from January. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters reached a new
low of seven birds, and the wintering and migrating Procellariids were
almost totally absent.
Of significance was the recording of a dark-phase Fulmar in the area,
the first live sighting in the Central Pacific Ocean. In addition a
Bristle-thighed Curlew was seen for the first time in the BCF grid.
Other interesting records include a Herald's Petrel, a single Sooty
Shearwater, two Christmas Island Shearwaters, eight phalaropes of
undetermined species, and the reappearance in the area of Laysan Albatrosses.
Overall distribution patterns were similar to those found in January
and March last year. Greatest bird concentrations occurred within 50
miles of the high Hawaiian Islands and in the southern end of the area,
especially in the southeastern corner. The appearance of Black-footed
Albatrosses south to 10°N was unexpected. No Procellariid was seen within
200 miles of the high Hawaiian Islands.
Numbers of most species are expected to increase in March concurrent
with the approach of the summer breeding season.