Howland Island 
After an absence of nearly one full year, Sooty Terns 
were again swirling over the island. The following is a dally 
activity 
account showing the swirling behavior and number of 
birds: 
• 
6 February 
1330 
Small swirl over SE end of island (30). 
1555 
" " (75). 
1610 
Swirl broke up. 
1640 
Swirl forming over SE end of island (125). 
1700 
Swirl Broke up. 
1705 
Swirl alternately breaking and forming. 
1725 
Swirl over end of island contains 250 birds. 
' 1745 
Swirl over sea west of island (100). 
1810 
SE swirl has 1000 birds. 
W swirl has 250 birds 
1830 
Much interchange between swirls. 
New swirl over lighthouse (200). 
Three swirls now present. 
1830-0130 
0200 
0300 
Swirls amalgamated into &E swirl and swirl over 
lighthouse. Each swirl probably had 2-3000 birds. 
Birds departed from the island at 0130. 
28 February 
Many terns still calling over the lighthouse. 
Only a few terns were calling. 
0300 
