BCF, Cromwell, May 1965
Page 60
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Transcription
General Summary Numbers for May totalled 9185, considerably higher than previous months. Excepting 31 May, the last day of the cruise, numbers were roughly comparable with May 1964. However, on 31 May record numbers (4761) and flocks (23) were encountered just north of Oahu. These flocks were comprised mainly of Sooty and Noddy Terns, both of which reached record numbers. The area of greatest density was, of course, just north of Oahu, but numbers were considerably higher than usual up to 300 miles north and east of the high Hawaiian Islands. A small secondary density center in the southern portion of the area was due to the influx of Juan Fernandez and Cook's Petrels from the south. Of interest were the following sightings: a Mottled Petrel, 3 Kermade Petrels, 16 Dark-rumped Petrels, at least 2 Long-tailed Jaegers, a Skua, 7 Arctic Terns, and the first at sea record of a Wandering Tattler. It is felt that there is a connection between the very large and numerous flocks seen near Oahu and the fact that Oahu Skipjack Tuna fishermen are experiencing a record catch this summer. The data gathered appear to be comparable with those of previous months.