SOUTHERN GRID 
Survey No. 1 
PRELIMINARY REPOST AT-SEA SURVEY 
September 1965 
SOUTHERN GRID ONLY 
• # 
This report is based on the observations and collections made within 
the Southern Grid area during late September 1965. Since no definite cruise 
pattern has yet been determined for the Southern Grid, all at-sea observations 
and collections made within a circle wwth a 100 mile radius of Baker Island 
are considered in this report. A total of 551 miles and 61 hours of diurnal 
observations were completed during the period 15-20 September 1965 (Table 1). 
100 miles and 11.3 hours of nocturnal observations were completed during the 
period 16-19 September 1965 (Table 2). 
The majority of grid work was performed by the Smithsonian team consisting 
oL Richard Crossin (Biologist in Charge), Warren King, and Dayle Husted. The 
six members of the Howland-Baker Island survey party (Robert Fleet, Ken Amerman 
Paul Woodward, Kam Kepler, Brian Harrington, and Jeff Tordoff) assisted in 
observations when aboard ship. The grid cruise was made aboard the U.S.N.S. 
SHEARWATER. Excellent cooperation and assistance were received from the 
officers and crewmembers. 
A total of 35,974 birds were recorded within the grid area. Approximately 
oO 7. of this total were migrating Sooty and/or Slender-billed Shearwaters. The 
majority of these were encountered on 16 and 20 September between Howland and 
Bakvr and south of Baker. Upon approach to Baker Island on 16 September, up 
to 180 birds per minute were recorded streaming past the ship. Besides the 
% 
migrating shearwaters, large numbers of birds, primarily Sooty Terns, were 
encountered in feeding flocks. Heaviest concentrations were found to the 
west and south of Baker Island. 
