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.