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Seabird Restoration Project Initiated on Eastern Brothers Island

In 2007, the refuge initiated a new seabird restoration project on Eastern Brothers Island in Jonesport. The island recently supported a small population of great black-backed and herring gulls, black guillemots, common eider, and Leach’s storm-petrels. The island is strategically located between Petit Manan and Machias Seal Islands, and could potentially draw terns from both colonies. Eastern Brothers also provides exceptional breeding habitat for Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and black guillemots. This project helps to meet both State of Maine and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service objectives to increase the number and geographic distribution of tern and alcid (puffin and razorbill) colonies along the Maine coast.

Razorbill decoys on the south side of Eastern Brothers Island. Credit: USFWS

In early April, the refuge placed Atlantic puffin and razorbill decoys along the 80’ cliffs on the south side of the island. We also placed a technician on the island to discourage gulls from nesting on Eastern Brothers. In mid-May we set up tern decoys and a sound system. Any terns flying near the island would be able to hear the sounds of an active tern colony, and see terns already nesting on the ground (our decoys). Throughout the season, we observed both razorbills and Atlantic puffins in the water adjacent to the island. We estimate that over 300 pairs of black guillemots bred on the island in 2007. We documented one pair of common terns nesting among the decoys, and the pair raised one chick. We are hopeful that Eastern Brothers Island becomes a productive tern and alcid colony in the near future.

Jordan's Delight

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge acquired Jordan’s Delight, an important seabird island located in Narraguagus Bay, Washington County, from Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) in June 2007. The refuge assumed ownership of 27 acres of the 30 acre island. The acquisition excludes a 3-acre conservation easement that allows members of the family that previously donated the island to MCHT to maintain a small house and to visit the island when the seabirds are not nesting.

Jordan’s Delight, an important seabird island located in Narraguagus Bay, Maine. Credit: USFWS

The island originally came on the market in 2000 for $1.6 million. At that time, a 3,000 square foot house was under construction on the island. An anonymous private family foundation acquired the island to conserve the property. The foundation donated 27 acres to MCHT, with the hope that MCHT would remove the house and restore the island to its natural state. MCHT did that and provided interim ownership and management until the Fish and Wildlife Service could secure funding to purchase the property for $70,000.

Seabirds that nest on the island include black-backed gull, herring gull, double-crested cormorant, common eider, Leach’s storm petrel, and black guillemont. The island is also an important resting stop for spring and fall migrants.