Field Notes Doug Self May 5, 1989 Went to Alcatraz Island w/ Ray Pinotti, Alan Fish, Terri Thomas (GCNRA). Alan Fish had organized a symposium on the gull situation on Alcatraz. Development plans for Alcatraz, as laid out in the Lawrence Halprin proposal, does not take the gulls into consideration. In fact, in our meeting it was made clear that the plan as it stands would 1) significantly adversely affect the W. Gull population and 2) the W. Gull population represents an important resource for both the Bay Area and the N.P.S. (through the possibility of offering great visits / gull interpretation). Since the colony is significant 250-300 pairs, some consideration for developing gull nesting habitat should be made. The initial plan calls for develop the Parade Grounds and open a perimeter trail. Both will be OK if gull nesting habitat could be improved on the cistern & industry building roof. In addition, certain areas could be designated & managed for gull breeding: e.g. incinerator area, NW store, etc. Provided that barriers could be erected & grass mowed. Perimeter trail should be opened in January to allow gulls to adapt to regular visitors. On Alcatraz I., many gulls on eggs, I'd say about 1/3 of nests had eggs (slightly advanced compared to Red Rock). Parade Grounds has approx 40 nests. Island vegetation very lush- lush - due to late rains. On my return to SF I walked to