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Baker Island Surrey 
ATF^7 
February 3-4, 19^5 
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Landing on this islandproved difficult and time consuming because 
of a shift in the normal wind direction. In the area where we normally 
encounter only one ware in landing, and the water ran 30 feet deep up 
to the shoreline, the waves had completely altered the contours of the shorelin 
and had swept the beach back so that many rocks were exposed. The surf 
ran 6-7 feet with no calm periods along the entire length of the nor- : 
mally calm west shore. One entire afternoon was spent in making six 
attempts to launch the raft back to the ship. It was finally necessary - 
to haul raft, motor and gear 800 yards across the island to the south 
shore in order to make a successful launching. Departure from the 
island had to be made from the south shore after hauling all camp 
gear and equipment 1/4 mile across the island. 
The surf along the south shore was breaking sharply along the 
shoreline when the departures were made. This, coupled with inex¬ 
perienced crews, resulted in the complete wipeout of the second load 
of gear and personnel. The raft was launched directly into a 9 foot 
wave just as it broke about 15 feet from shore. This wave upended the 
raft and it fell back upside down. Several items of gear, including 
a Polaroid camera, were lost due to the strong undertow. There were 
no injuries to personnel. 
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 
Blue-faced Booby . Sixteen aests with eggs and 2 nestlings. 
Two small clubs formed along the south shore on the first evening 
and consolidated into one clubon. the second. A total of 200 birds 
are using the island for roosting. Seventy-five birds (including 
the 2 nestlings) were banded and 94 returns were obtained. 
Red-tailed Tropicbird . None observed during our stay. 
. Brown Booby . Eight birds roosting with the Blue-faced Boobies. 
Sooty Tern . A small groups flying over and around the island, 
day andnight. None observed on the ground. 
Qray-backed Tern . A small colony of 12 birds nesting inland on 
the southeast end of the island near several old wrecked planes. Two 
eggs were- found. Formerly no nests were found outside of the lagoon 
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