"Field notes for Palmyra, Baker, Howland and Johnston Islands: USFWS team arrived Feb. 26 on Palmyra Atoll where severe drought has blanched the outer fronds of the coconut trees. This island normally receives about 100 inches of rain per year. Smaller than usual numbers of sooty terns nesting (10k). En route to Baker Island, sea surface temperature 85F. Baker Island (0. 14 N x 176. 28W) and Howland Island (0 48.N, 176.38 W), hosting over a million sooty terns just beginning to breed on March 10. Boobies and frigatebirds were also on eggs. These islands which are normally very dry were lush and green. Bird observations suggest that food sources are present and may signal a diminution of excessively hot water, tho air temperatures were 94F in the shade and 110F in full sun".--Mark Rauzon <Mjrauz@aol.com