• The Maine population of roseate terns experienced a significant decrease between 2003 and 2004, primarily due to mammalian predation on several of the larger tern colonies. The population has begun to recover, and in 2007 Maine supported 227 pairs of roseate terns. Unfortunately the terns only nest on five islands.
• Although the population has started to recover from recent predation issues, 87 percent of the roseates currently nest on Eastern Egg Rock and Stratton Island.

Bald Eagle
Federal and State-listed as Threatened

• Many of the 438 pairs of eagles nesting in Maine utilize the coastal region for nesting or foraging during some portion of the year. In 2007, Maine eagles produced 0.65 eaglets per nest. This reproductive rate falls approximately 30 percent below the 15 year average productivity rate for Maine. We believe many eaglets were lost during a major storm in the middle of April.
• In 2007, nine pairs of eagles nested on the refuge. We continue to work with our conservation partners to secure permanent protection for bald eagle nests sites.

The refuge also supports a number of Maine Threatened Species.

• In 2007, the State of Maine supported 4,087 pairs of Arctic terns, nesting on eight islands.
• Arctic terns travel an amazing distance during their annual migration. Each year the birds leave their breed islands in Maine, fly across the Atlantic Ocean, travel south to Africa, and spend much of the winter feeding along the Antarctic coastline before heading north to start the breeding season in May and June. We estimate this to be an annual migration of over 25,000 miles.
• The oldest known Arctic tern is a 34 year-old Petit Manan Island bird!!

Atlantic Puffin
Maine Threatened

• Maine represents the southern boundary of Atlantic puffin breeding in the United States. In 2007, approximately 800 pairs of Atlantic puffin bred on four islands in Maine.
• Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge supports 88 percent of the Atlantic puffins breeding in the United States.

Razorbill
Maine Threatened

• Maine represents the southern boundary of razorbill breeding in the United States. In 2007, approximately 500 pairs of razorbills bred in Maine.
• Razorbills are currently breeding on six islands in Maine, four of which are part of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
• In 2006, the refuge and our conservation partners completed the first Gulf of Maine razorbill census. We documented over 2,100 razorbills.