Field Notes Doug Bell LOCATION: Alcatraz Island, S.F. Co., Calif. DATE: February 26, 1988 WEATHER: Thin cloud layers, hazy. No wind until 14:00 TIDE: TIME: 12:30 -15:00 12:30 - In blind, observing gulls on cistern + IB roof. Gulls are spaced out over the entire cistern, platform and IB roof. Long calls, mewing, choking, aggressive uprights, attacks are occurring - all highly territorial. 12:33 - 43 gulls on cistern; 28 on IB roof. 12:35 - major attack and grapple between two Western gulls on the IB roof. 12:45 - Banded birds observed: 1) left red/silver (♀); 2) pink/silver - at right corner nest on platform - this bird, a ♂, was at the same nest last year. 3) silver, left leg. Generally, the adults here seem to be getting into prime breeding condition, but their bills & eyerings still have yet to develop that brilliant, deep yellow-orange. 13:28 - band 4) left yellow/silver - this could be the sandy sneaker ♂ from last year, who never get a mate but did a lot of raping. 13:50 - 35 gulls on the cistern - all pretty much engaged in same activity as before: resting, grass pulling, aggressive uprights, etc.