FIELD NOTES DOUG BELL LOCATION: Alcatraz I., SF. (o.), Calit DATE: April 18, 1987 TIME: 9:15 - WEATHER: Clear, sunny. High wind, variable gusts. TIDE: Low; 1.5 meters of rock exposed When I arrived at blind or cistern the whole north end of the island was in an uproar - all gulls were highly excited. At 9:19 there are about 26 gulls in perimeter and 9 on platform. Since 9:15 I've seen 3 copulation attempts, it's now 9:54. All of these seem to have been rather unsuccessful. Two ended without closeal contact, and one ended with just one closeal contact. Seems as if it is too windy, females move around too much, causing males to be blown off 10:05 - 29 gulls in perimeter; 11 on platform. Watching colony - most gulls sitting or standing 10:14 Pair 17 court feed - midshipmen 10:18 - Pair 27 at first both birds present, then one chased off by several other birds. Now the one bird is just standing on territory, preening, leg tucked. 10:22 - A raven has shown up on the island, buzzing around north side. Tried to land in building - but is getting chased by gulls. Quite aerial aerial. Some alarm yelps can be heard. The entire cistern broke out in long calling as raven flew by low. 10:30 Watching colony. 10:44 Watching pair 1- they did alert to egg upright in response to rake from pair 29. Pair settled down. 10:48 - did both on egg. Up at an intruder that landed on cliff shelfor 10:53 - female preening (pair 1). While recording saw 2 courtship feeds - each of long 7x" fish (~6") midshipmen? 11:26: 26 gulls in perimeter, 11 on platform. 11:28 Pair 31 - both on territory, standing outside of nest box. 11:38 Pair 27 court. feed- 6" midshipman. 11:50 - Tried to record 3 more copulations - one while helios flew by, 2 others at more imminent periods. Observed 2 more courtship feeds - one was with