PHR REPORT #6 - NOISE

June 20, 2016
30 degree C.
A Tiger shark cruises the shoreline and Laysan and Black-footed albatross chicks try out their wings. A single Black-footed parent arrives and gives a wretched guttural call while dozens of chicks gather around hoping that it will be their high pitched squeal to be answered with a generous feeding.  Seals haul out and quietly bask in the sun for hours; perfectly blending into their surroundings after rolling in the coral sand, looking much like a piece of chicken tossed in, ‘shake and bake’. The occasional sneeze or bark throughout the day reminds me of their presence as I type away on data entry. The verbesina looks dried out but as soon as that rain comes it will perk right up and vehemently spread itself. The Sooty Tern colony chatters loudly in the background and the curious Laysan finch sings me the most beautiful song.  A small group of Brown Noddies scuttle along the tent tops and quietly chatter with a throaty cackle. Frigate birds roost on anything they can cling to and
with little else available, they seem to find the piles of marine debris most suitable.  The incessant sound of the water lapping at the beach is both soothing and gnawing. Many of the daytime noises continue into the night with the addition of the moaning howl of the burrowing Wedge-tailed Shearwater…  There is never a quiet moment here.

NMFS Permit No. 16632-00