.
MID-PACIFIC
lZX=VETAK
MARINE
ATOLL,
MARSHALL
Supported
UNITED
STATES
LABORATORY
ISLANDS
by
DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY
August 19, 1978
sm-vm OF BOK~
mIJ
(IRENE) 13NI
August!.18, 1978, 6:30 pm
The most abuz-~t
tO
12Nz
zesting bird in this area is the Sooty Tern, with the
White Capped Noddy :rfi
which nests in trees G
around the Northern perimeter of the nesting colony,
cpposed to the Sootys which nest on the ground.
Sootys usually lay a single tan and speckled egg on the ground in a
slight depression.
=-tiing
takes place in 28 to 30 days.
fledged
after hatching out 4==
—. -=wIY
-.
birds .
The adul-s =5
year to breed agati.
~turn
yo~g
head
Out
to
Sea
7 to 8 weeks
~th
the
adult
sometime between May and August of the next
fi-eyoung remain at sea for two years.
Sooty Terns are
strong flyers and seZSzY land on the water, nor do they come to rest on Islands
other than their ‘~ti~
Island.
Their feathers do not remain water proof
for very long when ‘key are placed on the water and their feet are smaller
than those other types cf Terns that sit on the water frequently.
Biologist
are, there for, forced ‘t conclude that Sooty Terns are capable of continuous
+
flight for any length o~ time.
The area surveyed is boardered by 13N1, 13N2, 12N1, 12N2, approximately
a 50 sq. meter area.
Starting at pt. 13Nl, we walked diagonally to pt. 12N2.
chicks were observed at or about 13N1.
Moving a few yds. in the 12N2 direc-
tion, the eggs became very dense, 12 to 18 inches apart or
eggs per sq. yd.
Numerous small
approx,
25
to 30
Two birds tend one nest taking turns, thus approx. bird
population of this area would be 50 birds per sq. yd.
Nine eggs were examined
internally along this route showing lessor development the closer to 12N2 we
Administered
.4ddrcss
by the Hawaii
reply to
Institute
of Marine
❑ Box 1346, Kancohe,
~Enewetak,
Marshall
Biolo~,
Hawaii 96744
Islands 96737
U])iversity
of Hawaii