McFarlane . P. W. Wake Island 2 
1963 
Watched a large flock of sooty terns and several large white birds 
(tropic or red-footed boobies) feeding about a mile offshore. Just within 
binocular range. One large fish jumped, 
June 9 
Peturned to Wilkes I, this morning to continue survey of birds. Worked 
NW end, walking around the cleared portion of the island. There is a small 
colony of sooty terns just settling in open ground SW of YOB installation. 
The vegetation of this end of the island has become too dense and high (8-12 M ) 
for the terns to continue to use this as a nesting ground, as they have in the 
past. They now have moved to the spoils area adjacent to the channel (between 
Wilkes and Wake Is.), the area just north of the channel, and the cleared 
area within the PMP compound, and north a further short distance. Some eggs, 
no chicks. 
The reef extends a good width beyond Wilkes I. at the NW tip, as it 
circles around towards Peale I. The beach area is very rough, coral rock, 
quite jagged. There are a number of large rocks, some perhaps 4-5 ft. above 
high water and as much as 5-10 ft. long, which are scattered over the wide reef 
at this point. These rocks are favorite resting spots for brown boobies and 
common noddies. Much to my surprise, I found the common noddies were also 
utilizing the larger of these rocks as nesting sites. I was as many as 
35 noddies on one rock, over a dozen nests, some with eggs. The water 
immediately surrounding the rock was too deep for me to wade while carrying 
cameras, etc., so I have not gotten an accurate nest count. 
There is a small colony of frigatebirds andred-footed boobies in the 
Messerschmidia trees. Have not gotten an accurate count yet. 
