Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge

	Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
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	Once essential for safe maritime travel, lighthouses now provide sanctuary for nesting seabirds. Eight lighthouse islands on the Maine coast have been transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the refuge.

	For more than a century, light keepers operated beacons on Petit Manan, Franklin, Pond, Two Bush, and Libby islands; and Matinicus and Egg rocks to ensure safe travel for passing vessels. With the advent of underwater electric cables and solar power, automation of the lights became possible. The islands were transferred to the Service from the Coast Guard, which still maintains the lights. All of the lights are on the National Register of Historic Places, with the exception of Two Bush Island Light. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not in the business of managing lighthouses. We are, however, concerned with protecting nesting habitat for seabirds, and these islands have lots of that. Common, Arctic, and endangered roseate terns; Atlantic puffins; razorbills; black guillemots; common eiders; Leach's storm-petrels; and laughing, herring, and great black-backed gulls nest on our lighthouse islands, although not all on the same ones. The Service and the National Audubon Society are actively working to re-establish colonies of nesting terns on Pond and Petit Manan islands and Matinicus Rock.
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	Contact Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge at PetitManan@fws.gov or:	P.O. Box 279 Milbridge, ME 04658 207/546-2124