**■ 2|. w» 
October $ - 200 adult shearwaters banded. Many more found in area covered 
last night. Second hundred done in area between road to dump and 
transmitter building. Several more with orange tags and no bands found 
and rebanded. Leg sizes vary a good deal; some of the bands newly 
put on seem as if they could slip over the foot, total of 500 adults 
banded in area of heaviest previous banding suggesting a substantial 
nonbreeding population ant/arbirds feeding at sea. It also might mean 
that there are over-lapping populations using the island or that a large 
number of birds have slipped their bands. The total population in this 
area cannot be more than 700-800. 
The population seems to fluctuate with the lunar cycle. Shearwaters 
are lowest in numbers at the time of the full moon, then increase after this. 
It may merely reflect a different time of returning at night (many may come in 
later at night as the moon gets higher). I think that it may reflect. 
behavioral differences In squid (layers rise to surface immediately when moon¬ 
light is not present). toils would suggest a much longer feeding period for 
tne shearwaters when there is a higher, more full azid brighter moon. 
Sooty Teres are very scarce now with 10-25 during the day, 25-50 at night. ^ 
/vt the time of the full moon or just afterwards, the number suddenly increased to 
about 100 or more at night. 
- 200 adult shearwaters banded along N (left) side of road and 
transmitter building. Vfe find an average of 5-6 per night (per 200) with tags 
but no bands suggesting considerable band loss due to slipping. 6 frigatebirds 
banded. 
