PRELIMINARY REPORT 
EASTERN GRID SURVEY 8 
30-31 May 1967 
Survey Period 
Survey Personnel 
Support Vessel 
0657, 30 May to 0708, 31 May 1967 
Richard D. Chandler 
USNS SHEARWATER T-AG-177 
This report summarizes observations made on a single north to south 
transect through the extreme eastern side of the Eastern Grid Area. The 
survey was included as a portion of Eastern Area Cruise #13 en route from 
San Erancisco to the Panama Canal. The vessel entered the Grid at point 
T, Ash n and proceeded SSE to p’oint Oak. The track passed 11-24 miles to the 
west of the remaining eastern points. (See Figure 1.) Diurnal coverage 
included the north, central, and south sections. (See Table 1.) 
Seventy birds of six species were observed over the 96 -mile Grid 
track. Storm Petrels accounted for 63 percent of the total birds, 
Phalaropes 22 percent, and Black-footed Albatrosses - 12 percent. The 
remaining 3 percent consisted of 1 Red-billed Tropicbird, 1 Pomarine 
Jaeger, and 1 Tern. 
Unusually high winds and seas made for poor observing conditions. 
The watch was held from the bridge. No BT drops were made in the Grid 
due to the rough following seas. No nocturnal watch was held. No birds 
were collected. Except for the reduced watch coverage necessitated by a 
single observer, other survey methods were as per previous cruises. 
SPECIES ACCOUNT 
Black-footed Albatross Diomedea nigripes - 8 
At least two of the birds were noted as having white rumps. Statis¬ 
tically, dealing with this species is somewhat frustrating and no fool¬ 
proof method of handling Albatross data is at hand. Early morning observa¬ 
tions suggest that birds gradually build up to a peak after only a few 
hours, after which the count of birds following the ship levels off for 
the rest of the day. It seems most feasible that a dynamic turnover of 
birds is taking place constantly and that a saturation level is reached 
which is dependent on the actual density of the area. Peak day counts on 
the whole, are the most satisfactory way to report Albatross occurrence 
although the number is lower than the number of individuals actually seen. 
White-rumped Storm Petrel 42 
Storm Petrel sp. 2 
With fair certainty all Storm Petrel sightings can be taken as Leachs 
