FOMSI was established in 2003 to support the valuable work of the Maine Coastal islands National Wildlife Refuge and its seabird island restoration partners. In 2005, the Refuge completed its Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which contains a wealth of information about the Refuge. The entire Plan can be found at: http://library.fws.gov/CCPs/MaineIslands/maineislands_index.htm. The following are excerpts from the Plan: |
 |
Petit Manan Island. Biologists live on this island each nesting season to conduct surveys, control predators and band seabirds. Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge staff and seasonal technicians conduct a complete census of the island each year and record observations of all species observed on or adjacent to the island (more...). |
 |
Seal Island. The
Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge continues
to work cooperatively with National Audubon Society on the
Seal Island Seabird Restoration Project. Researchers are
currently supporting Arctic tern and Atlantic puffin research
projects in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts (more...). |
 |
Metinic Island. Biological
technicians are hired seasonally to work on this tern restoration
program. The interns census terns, control predators, conduct
food habit and productivity studies, and monitor vegetation
response to grazing (more...). |
 |
Pond Island. The
island is managed in cooperation with National Audubon Society,
and biological technicians staff the island during the nesting
season. The beach on Pond Island could potentially provide
limited habitat for least terns and piping plovers. The island
is also an important staging area for common and roseate terns
in August (more...). |
 |
Matinicus Rock. The
island is predominantly an Arctic tern colony (999 pairs)
but also supports 198 pairs of common terns. The Maine Coastal
Islands National Wildlife Refuge manages the island in cooperation
with National Audubon Society. It is participating in Arctic
tern and Atlantic puffin research projects in cooperation
with the University of New Brunswick (more...). |
| Friends of Maine Seabird Islands c/o Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 232 Rockport, ME 04856 (207) 236-6970 seabirds@midcoast.com Jane Hopwood, Chair |