Wedge-tailed Shearwater ( Puffinus pacificus ) 
Current Status : Breeds annually 
Prior Records: This species was observed by Munro (194-1) off Nihoa on May 2 6 , 
1891. Fisher ( 1906 ) states that several flew on board their ship 
anchored off Nihoa, on the night of June 2, 1902. Other records are 
d 
Munter (1915), Wetmore ( 1923 ), Vanderbilt and J0e Schauensee (1941) 
Kramer and Beardsley ( 1962 ). 
Populations : This species is a particularly difficult one to census accurately. 
Consequently many observers record them in terms of relative abundance. 
Munter (op. cit) called them the most common species he observed 
during his visit of March 18, 1915- ai&v f n -n cit) 
reported them to be common on June 
Schauensee (op. cit) in August 7 - 1 1940 referred to them as "by far 
the most common bird on the island. "/ 
Adults of this species return to the Leeward Islands in March 
but do not reach peak population levels until April (POBSP). 
Wetmore (op. cit) gave an estimate of 30,000 adults in June 
11-16, 1923. 
POBSP visits demonstrate this population buildup. 
An estimate of 100 adults was made on March 6, 1964 . 0n(2^ March 
1965 the population was estimated be—afbotcfc 18,000 adults. On June 5; 
1963> although a landing could not be made, thousands of this species 
were seen. 
