6 
Amerman , Kennet h 
19 (X 
September 1 6 - Laysan Island 
We arrived off Laysan in the U3NS "Shearwater" about 7 a.m. and 
dropped anchor about 0.4 mile off the west shore, in line with the 
"best landing" site. About 500 Sooty Terns, l/4 - 1/5 imraatu res , 
were flying about the ship, and an estimated 1000 more were visible above 
the west side of the island. A few Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Fairy 
Terns flew around briefly. A small dumber of Red-footed Boobies and 
Blue-faced Boobies flew past on their way to sea. A few hundred 
' ! I 
Frigates could be seen over the island and several immatures played 
king of the roost _pn the radar mast and boom. Common Noddies, 
including many immatures were also around the ship - over 100 Sooty 
Shearwaters were senn before leaving. 
,-Alt the' gear was loaded and the raft launched at 9 a.m. We 
landed at first opposite the former camping areas (Casuarinas ) but 
* ! 
• then decided to set up camp on the northwest corner, where there is only 
open sand, hoping to avoid the flies. Red- foot es in Casuarinas, 
Laysan Finches and Fairy Terns in Scaevoln. Very open grassy 
area behind Casuarinas contained a few (8) Christmas Islands, Wedgetails 
and Sooty Terns. Latter not dense at all. 
Rested a while after setting up camp, then Dick, Alan Young, and 
I walked around the lagoon for survey while Paul, Doug, and Alan 
walked the outer beach. A total of Common Noddies were scattered 
around the whole shore. Estimate 1000+ shorebirds in lagoon, primarily 
on vest side, with Ruddy Trunstones , Golden Plover and Wandering Tattler 
in ratio of 100: 5: !• Two Bristle -thighs were seen on the west side 
and three on thea east, though the latter may have included the former. 
