GMY-BACKED TERN---Annotated List 
EECKER 
June 17-20,29,1923 
t'Netmore) _ June 17-19 : Abundant, eggs and grovn young seen nesting on ledges 
of cliffs and in open slopes of island. 
June 20 : About 4000 pairs nest here. The young wander about 
the rocky slopes of ten tumbling head first over the ledges with no apparent harm. 
A good many are now in full first plumage but are loath to fly. 
June 29 : Many .young are now well grown. 
July 26, 1964 
(Kridler) On the western hill I estimated about a thousand Gray-backed'Tern nests 
20 ntaiming chicks almost ready to fly. ••• [Gray-backed Terns] were ... abundant 
on the top [of Flagpole Hill]. * 
-'V 
Sept. 25,, 1964 
(Fleet, POBSP) 
(Kridler) 
Actual count-Adults 
Immatures 
Total population estimate- 
Observed were 3 adults and 2 flying immature birds. 
March 15, 1965 
(Banho, FOBS?) 
(Kridler) 
Estimated total island population 
Breeding -- some with eggs 
7,500 
Estimated total population of 7,500 and 3,700 nests. This is 
speculated because the nests are very much scattered. Northwest Cape had the 
largest numbers, approximately 1, 000. Quitei a few of the nests are in inaccessible 
cl 
iff areas 
Sept.10-11,1966 
Inrtdfer) > Over 25 flightless but almost full-grown young were found on 
Annexation Hill. Several others were fx about 2/3rds grown. Less than ten adults 
were observed on the island. 
March 10, 1967 
(Hackman, FOBS?) (Rept^- Population ’estimate' : 500+ adults, some eggs .. present in 
large numbers only on Nihoa and Keeker where the birds appeared to 
be on fresh to lightly incubated eggs. (Notes) Difficult to assess population 
because the birds were nesting down 4 ~" cliff walls) around the island. No chicks were 
found. Only about 10 eggs* were found. Two of these were chekced and were only 
slightly incubated. Population: at least 2,000 birds. [Eggs measurements given for 
10 eggs] 
Sept. 15,19o7 
(Kridler) 
Cape: locals: 1, 
On the main part of the island: adults: 13, on Northwest Cape: 
adults: k, on the main part of the island: locals: 2, on Northwest 
These locals were very large and just about ready to fly. 
