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Transcription
R.S. Crossin
1966
SIC 11
over the lagoon at day break and 3 Bristle-thighed Curlews and 5+ Wandering
Tattlers were also seen along lagoon shore early in the morning. Departed Canton
at 0818.
Enderbury Island
February 14 - Arrive Enderbury 1330. Landing good, most of crew went off on
survey, Bob DeLong and I spent afternoon tearing off old roof on house in
preparation for putting on new green plastic roofing. Roof finished by evening.
Spent early part of evening taking blood samples of Blue-faced Boobies on SW
end of island. Party the spent to band frigates on NW end of island near the
guano pile and Red-foot Boobies on SE end.
Island is quite green and evidently has had recent raines. Sida is luxurious
and blooming - present in varrying densities over most of the vegetated area of
the island.
February 15 - Made a shore bird count in the morning and entire crew worked the
frigate colony for banding and blood samples at night. Left the island at 0610
on 16 Feb.
Shearwaters and Petrels
None present on the island. Max noticed what he thought to be an Audubon's
Shearwater off the SW end on morning of 16 Feb.
Red-tailed Tropicbird
About 5 birds were displaying near the light house when we first arrived
on afternoon of 14. There were very few in evidence after this time. One adult
with a 1/3 grown chick was present next to the wall of the torn down building
by the bomb shelter. This was the only nest that I had occasion to see.
Blue-faced Booby
One clubk of about 150 birds formed behind the house on night of 14, but had
dispersed considerably by night of 15. Two other clubs were formed on night of
14 across the lagoon from house - there appeared to have roughly 100 birds each.
Pairs and single birds were scattered irregularly over most of the island. A
few pairs had large young. I would estimate that not over 600 birds were utilizing
the island.
Brown Booby
These were present in thick scattered pairs over most of the vegetated part
of the island. I noted less than a dozen nests on the west side of island, and
suspect the E side was fairly comparable. A few chicks of varying sizes up to
3/4 grown were present, but most nests contained incubated eggs - all sets of
two. Estimated 100 birds on the island.
Red-footed Booby
This species was present in 3 different concentrations. One on the SE side