PROGRESS REPORT NO. 1 - ATF TRIP # 6 
During the period October 1, 1964 to October 16, 1964.vists were made 
to Howland and Baker Islands and 8 days of at sea records were obtained 
during the trip from Pearl Harbor to Howland Island. The islands are discusse d 
briefly below and on the biweekly report sheets. No analyses of the at sea 
records has been possible but on this trip thousands of migrating Sooty 
Shearwaters were seen and a number of birds tentively identified as Collared 
Petrels were recorded for the first time in this area. 
Howland Island 
The field party , 8 people, landed here on the morning of the 9th and 
left early on the 13th. During this period all personnel were instructed in 
the various phases of the work to be accomplished during the remainder of the 
trip. 13,101,birds were banded, 35 were collected and 856 bands returns were 
obtained. Collections were made of shinks, gekkos and land crabs. Approximately 
50 plant collections were made and numerous photographs were made of the 
island and the permant quadrats ( plant study). An activity study was 
maintained on bird aovement for one day and numerous notes were taken on 
nest distribution,and construction. No mammals were found. 
Baker Island 
A landing was made here on the afternoon of the 13th and the party 
remained until noon on the 15th. Bird numbers have continued to increase 
and the number of nesting Blue-faced Boobies and Red-tailed Tropicbirds 
was more than double the number found in July. This is even more important 
when it is realized that July is the peak nesting month for these species 
with a father sharp decline from that period. In addition Great Frigatebirds 
„ n d Brown Boobies were found roosting on the groud for the first time since 
the Smithsonian prties started visiting the islands (March, 1963 ). No cats 
were seen and it can be assumed that they were eliminated in July, 1964. 
288 birds were banded with 142 returns and 8 birds and 9 mice were collected.-; 
Collections were made of skinks, gekkos, land crabs and fish. 53 plant collec¬ 
tions were made with the usual photographs of study plots. An activity study 
was maintained for one day. Nest distribution was plotted and several 
berlese samples tfere taken from the nesting areas. Information obtained on f r 
Hermit Crab density indicates that the species is seven to ten times as 
abundant on Baker Island as on Howland* 
A / 
Ship Cooperation 
To date the ship been very helpfu^and has done an excellant job of 
landing personnel and equipment on the islands and maintaining them there* 
The navigation lights now being used require daily boat runs to bfl£ht 
bring in new batteries and take out old ones to be charged but the lights 
are far superior to anything else we have tried* Except for the daily 
battery change they are very little trouble and provide a reference point 
for the field party at night as well as for the ship* Accomodations, food 
and laundry service are all in pleasant contrast to previous trips* 
