JPLayers 1977 Journal Parrow Alaska 9 July sampled transects today as part of continuing look at short term variation in transect use. It is obviously enormous, with large fluctuation in distribution of different species over the transects. Not clear that pattern of habitat use changes, but density of a given species -e.g. Melaunotos, recorded on a particular transect does. Await tomorrow's results for a fuller examination of the patterns. Weather may play a key role, though perhaps not. Today's was clear - strong E wind, high clouds, temp at 0700 = 38°P. Rising to 40° by 1500. => One astounding difference which has developed this year may be to enter the state of the sea. For the last 5 days there has been open water off shore; today it is open as far as I can see, with only scattered floes spotting the seascape. 10 July Yesterday's east wind has increased to ~30 mph, making cruising downright difficult. We therefore bagged field operation for the day. Spent ~0.5 hrs looking out to sea. Rissa tridactyla moving by regularly, as well as Somateria spectabilis and Chiongula hyemalis. Curiously the Chiongula are all moving NE toward the Beaufort. Must ask Duvicky what the significance of that is or indeed whether he is aware of it. 11 July temp 38° at 0600, 38° at 1400. Wind moderates to 20 mph through day as we crossed the transects. # of Melaunotos (and ? for that matter) impressive - see SP account. The results of this criterion set of samples taken 8, 9 and 11 July are interesting: (1) totals did not vary inordinately, although 9 July was depressed in overall density compared to the other two days (see T summairis) (2) A hot spot one day was not necessarily one the next, with a few exception (see Melaunotos sp account). In fact true totals contain a transect over days varied appreciably. Habitat distribution of dunlin and pectorals fluctuated somewhat, especially if the cursors on 5 July are examined also. Hypothesis: each transect passes through areas frequented by a loose association of individuals which, now freed from nest sites, move about in the general area. On one day I pick up one of these localized groups, on another day I find another. Thus there appears to be changing distribution when in fact there are not. I'm not sure I like the implications for my sampling procedure. This warrants a closer look, both at the data and at the birds. Peregrine falcon today heard hawking a Plectrophenax and