PRELIMINARY REPORT
EASTERN AREA CRUISE NO. 29
by
Richard D. Chandler
and
T. James Lewis
Cruise Itinerary:
30 October - 1900 Depart San Francisco
31 October - 1438 Enter Grid at 35°00'N; 122°12'W
8 November - 1945 Depart Grid at 35°00'N; 122°40'W
9 November - 1700 Arrive San Francisco
(All times + 8 uniform)
Survey Personnel: Richard D. Chandler (Biologist - in - Charge)
T. James Lewis
Methods: One-man diurnal observations were made from the helicopter
deck on the 31st through the 2nd, and largely from the wing of the
bridge for the remainder of the grid. Two periods of regular under-
way watch were conducted from the "BOSTON WHALER". Nocturnal watches
were held on two nights as conditions warranted, from the spotlight
located on the Port Quarter Deck. Birds were collected from the
"BOSTON WHALER" on the afternoons of 3, 5, & 7 November, and stray
land bird specimens were collected on the deck of the ship. No BT's
were taken. Other methods and procedures followed those established
on previous cruises.
Cruise Track: (see FIGURE #1)
The first part of the nongrid leg directly south of San Francisco
was covered at night. Most of 31 October was spent in nongrid areas
just north of Grid Section "T". A number of Herring Gulls followed the
ship from this nongrid area into the northeast corner of the Grid. The
nominal Grid Track was followed closely with the following exceptions:
At sunset on the 6th, 30 miles east of "Larch", a revised SE course was
taken such that the remaining two full days of observations could be
distributed in those Grid subdivisions which would benefit from the
coverage. This planned deviation is a statistical practice which is
becoming more and more important, since the usefulness of the 9
division breakdown depends largely on equal sectional coverage during
the daylight hours.
Excellent cooperation and assistance was received from Captain
Keiser, the Deck Force, and all personnel concerned with the operation.
Conditions: This cruise enjoyed the most consistently favorable weather
and operating conditions yet encountered in the area. A weak high