News from the Seabird Islands
National Audubon Society Seabird Restoration Program

End of the Season Research Updates

2003 Egg Rock Update- Page #1

THIRTY YEARS OF PUFFIN RESTORATION YIELDS RECORD NUMBERS
FOR MAINE SEABIRD COLONIES

SEAL ISLAND NWR: 28% INCREASE IN NESTING PAIRS!

The Seal Island NWR puffin restoration project began in 1984 when the first of 950 puffin chicks were translocated there from Great Island, Newfoundland. In 1992, seven pairs nested - the first puffins to breed on the island since 1887 when the original colony was lost due to excessive hunting for food and feathers. Although the restored colony was slow to start, it's subsequent annual growth has been remarkable. The first seven pairs were mostly Newfoundland transplants, but the colony now consists mostly of immigrants from other islands and native chicks hatched on Seal Island. In 2003, only 14 transplants and 155 birds banded in other Gulf of Maine puffin colonies were confirmed on the island. This year the colony increased by 28% to 231 breeding pairs--an addition of 52 pairs over the 2002 total of 179. The number of breeding pairs is only one measure of success. Supervisor Carlos Zavalaga, and his research team documented a record high count of 395 individuals on July 18th and found that most pairs succeeded in rearing a chick (puffins lay just one egg per year). The breeding success for a sample of 124 pairs was 0.73 chicks/nest.

EGG ROCK: 13% INCREASE SINCE LAST YEAR
In our 30th year of working to restore the Egg Rock puffin colony, we tallied a total of 59 breeding pairs - a 13% increase since 2002. Egg Rock researchers, led by supervisor Ellen Peterson tallied a record high count of 101 individuals and an impressive fledging success of 0.86chicks per pair. All of the puffins in the Adopt-a-Puffin program returned this year. Since most of the Egg Rock puffins wear numbered leg bands, observers discover detailed histories about puffin mating habits. For example, puffins are typically very faithful to their burrow and usually to their mate from one year to the next. Puffin Y54 (a 26-year-old male transplanted from Newfoundland in 1977) holds the record for retaining the same burrow:22 years!

The record for mate fidelity is held by EN 53 (a 24-year-old female transplanted from Newfoundland in 1979) and U02 (a male of unknown origin). They have nested in the same burrow for 17 years! This summer, researchers were elated when they discovered that Bi 76, a 23-year-old male translocated to Egg Rock from Newfoundland in 1978 was nesting. Even though he had been present at his burrow for the past six years, he could not attract a mate. However, this summer, researchers found him with an unbanded female and together they successfully reared a chick-his first in six years. While long-term faithfulness to mate and burrow are the rule for puffins, researchers are also finding some examples where pairs break up and re-form with neighbors.

MATINICUS ROCK: ISLAND-WIDE CENSUS CONFIRMS 256 PAIRS
This summer the Matinicus Rock field crew, led by island supervisor Paula Shannon, banded 105 puffin chicks - shattering the record for the number of chicks banded in one season by 23 birds! While persistence and luck certainly contributed to the increase in banded chicks, more puffins are also breeding on the island. From a low of just two puffin pairs in 1900, the Matinicus puffin colony has steadily recovered to 256 pairs this summer. This increase was due in part to birds translocated to Maine from Newfoundland. A few of these birds continue to nest at the island (fivewere sighted there this summer). Among this group is White 52, the oldest translocated puffin (and oldest known Maine puffin) who was 28 years old this summer. Studies of the puffins on Matinicus Rock, Seal Island NWR, Eastern Egg Rock, Petit Manan NWR and Machias Seal Island are showing that there is much interchange of birds between the islands. This summer, for example, 84 puffins banded as chicks at Matinicus Rock were resighted at Seal Island NWR, and 31 were seen at Eastern Egg Rock. Similarly, 31, 23 and 6 puffins banded as chicks at Machias Seal Island were sighted at Seal Island NWR, Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock, respectively.

TERN HIGHLIGHTS

Gulf of Maine tern numbers increase; Maine numbers decline

The Gulf of Maine (which includes two Canadian provinces and three New England states) tern population (28,291 pairs of Arctic, Common, Least and Roseate terns) increased 11% from 2002 and is up 15% since 1999. Most of this growth is attributed to a regional increase in the number of nesting Common Terns. Despite these increases, the number of terns nesting in Maine declined for the second year. Consecutive years of predation on Stratton Island have reduced this colony from a high of 2,018 pairs of terns in 2001 to 349 terns in 2003. However, despite the recent decline, Maine terns have shown strong recovery over the longer term--a direct benefit of ongoing restoration and management. From 1984 to 2003 Arctic Terns have increased 88%, Common Terns 121% and Roseate Terns 215%. In 2003, 66% of Maine's nesting terns were recorded at Audubon-managed islands.

Audubon-managed islands

Stratton Island*

For the second consecutive year the Stratton Island tern colony declined. Only 305 pairs of Common Terns, 40 pairs of Roseate Terns and 4 pairs of Arctic Terns nested, a 75 % decline from the 2002 total. Few tern chicks hatched and the majority of nests were abandoned due to the presence of a mink. Co-supervisors Hilary Walter and Shawn Devlin discovered the mink on May 20th. Although this individual was trapped and removed from the island on July 6th, many of the terns had abandoned the island by this date, likely joining the Jenny Island colony (up 18%), and the Seavey Island, NH colony (up 90%). Mink were also observed in two other Gulf of Maine colonies in 2003:Ship Island (Blue Hill Bay) and the Brothers Islands (Lobster Bay, Nova Scotia). Since 2000, mink or evidence of mink has been documented in at least six Maine coast tern colonies; in the previous 16 years mink had only been documented in one tern colony.

Outer Green Island**

In 2002, 11 pairs of Common Terns nested on Outer Green Island for the first time in 88 years. Decoys and recorded tern calls were once again placed on the island in early May, inhopes of attracting more terns to the island this season. On June 17th Island Supervisor, Joe Kocsis and his field team counted 94 Common Terns nests; two late census counts in July revealed an additional 66 nests for a season total of 160 Common Tern nests. Not only did terns nest on the island in 2003, but each pair raised an average of 2.1 chicks, making this the most productive tern colony in the entire Gulf of Maine! It is likely that many of these terns were displaced from Stratton Island.

Jenny Island**

A total of 467 pairs of Common Terns and 2 pairs of late-nesting Roseate Terns nested on Jenny Island this summer and no nocturnal predators were documented on the island for the first time since 1991 (the first year of restoration efforts on the island). Consequently, productivity was high, with a minimum of 1.5 tern chicks fledged by each nesting pair. Great-horned Owls, Black-crowned Night-Herons and mink have plagued this inshore colony since 1992. In 2000, all three of these predators were documented on the island, and by 2001 only 59 pairs attempted to nest, down from a high of 1,167 pairs in 1998.

Pond Island NWR***

Two pairs of Roseate Terns nested on Pond Island NWR for the first time. Roseates last nested at the mouth of the Kennebec River in 1984 on North Sugarloaf Island. A record high count of 310 Common Tern pairs also nested. These nests produced 1.1 chicks per pair, despite nocturnal visits to the island by four Great-horned Owls. The number of fledglings would have been higher, but 20% of the chicks died of an unknown disease or contaminant similar to that which plagued the island in 2002. The source of this problem has not yet been identified.

Eastern Egg Rock**

In 2003, 164 pairs of Roseate Terns (0.92 chicks/pair), 77 pairs of Arctic Terns (0.64 chicks/pair) and 992 pairs of Common Terns (0.97 chicks/pair) nested. Eastern Egg Rock continues to host the largest Roseate Tern colony in the Gulf of Maine, as well as the largest Laughing Gull colony (1,458 pairs).

Matinicus Rock***

On June 16th and 17th 1,022 pairs of Arctic and 188 pairs of Common Tern nests were counted - for the fourth consecutive year there was little change in the number of breeding terns on the island. Productivity dipped back to a normal 0.9 chicks per pair for each species from last year's record high productivity (1.3 chicks per pair).

Seal Island NWR***

From late May through late June a single sub-adult Peregrine Falcon was observed almost daily in the tern colony. We suspect that the slight decline in the tern colony was due to the falcon's presence during egg-laying. Overall, 1,066 pairs of Arctic Terns and 1,283 Common Terns nested,making this the largest Maine coast tern colony for the seventh consecutive year. Approximately 1,295 Common Tern and 1,066 Arctic Tern chicks fledged from the island this summer.

*Stratton Island is an Audubon-owned island supported by the Prout's Neck Audubon Society.
** Eastern Egg Rock and Jenny Island are owned by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
*** Pond Island NWR, Matinicus Rock and Seal Island NWR are part of the Petit Manan NWR.

July 21, 2003

Stratton Island - The mink that caused so much havoc here was finally captured and removed from the island but most of the terns had already abandoned in search of safer nesting places. But the island is now more secure for late-nesting terns and for next years nesting cycle. A fledgling oystercatcher was sighted--good news because oystercatcher nests are typically flooded by high tides and eggs and chicks are often eaten by predatory gulls. Stratton Island is the only regular breeding site in Maine for this unusual shorebird, and two pairs nested here for the first time this summer.

Outer Green - Last years 10 tern nests represented an historic occasion, as terns had not nested here since 1914. Supervisor Joe Kocsis now proudly reports 129 active common tern nests; these are fledging an average of over two chicks per nest. Earlier this week Joe was shocked to see a river otter loping along the shore. The otter swam at least two miles from the nearest island, and stayed only a few hours, which was good news for the terns as otters sometimes eat seabirds.

Pond Island - A third great horned owl was captured this week, after killing some tern chicks. In spite of this predation, the colony is doing well, and both roseate tern chicks (an endangered species) from our first two pairs are thriving.

Jenny Island - We continue to watch for predators, but so far the island has remained free of owls and mink and most pairs are very productive.

Eastern Egg Rock - There are now 52 active puffin burrows and the island team is working hard to identify more. This number equals the total burrow count for 2002; any additional burrows discovered mark an increase for the colony. All of our adopted puffins have returned. These are mostly transplants from Newfoundland, and some are 26 years old this summer! Tern chicks are growing fast and welilt soon see the older ones trying out their wings and taking their first flights.

Matinicus Rock We are busy grubbing puffins, a gymnastic experience that involves shimmying under large boulders in an attempt to find and band puffin chicks. Yesterday, Mary Gunther was surprised when she pulled a manx shearwater out from a burrow rather than a puffin! Now the team is watching this burrow carefully to see if there is a shearwater chick inside. This would represent the first nesting of this mostly European species in Maine.

Seal Island Island supervisor Carlos Zavalaga and his team have identified 177 active puffin burrows so far, a marked increase over the 131 pairs identified by this date last year. Last summers final count was 179 pairs. Carlos and his team also helped to free a baby minke whale entangled in lobster fishing gear. The Seal Island team rowed out to inspect the whale and quickly realized they needed help. They enlisted a lobster fishing boat to approach the entangled whale and pull in the line with its power winch before cutting the whale free.

July 3, 2003
Endangered Terns Return to Pond Island

For the first time since 1985, federally -endangered roseate terns are nesting in the mouth of the Kennebec River, on Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge. Audubon Society biologists working on the fifteen-acre island report that several of the rare terns appeared on June 12th. They then discovered two nests on June 21st. Audubon and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been working to restore terns to Pond Island since 1996, and have successfully attracted state-threatened Common Terns to the island, with a record 310 pairs this summer. Prior to this nesting, Roseate Terns nested on just four Maine islands. Establishment of additional nesting colonies is necessary to establish a viable population.

Audubon biologists discovered the Roseate Terns at Pond Island as they completed their annual tern census of seven Maine islands managed by Audubon. They counted a total of 5,781 nests, a number that is 1,190 less than last year. Many of the terns that colonized Pond Island this year likely came from Stratton Island off Prout’s Neck. This colony decreased from 1,279 pairs of Common Terns to just 308 pairs this summer due to the appearance of a mink at the island. Likewise, Roseate Terns declined from 98 pairs to 41 and most of these abandoned. The dispersal of the Stratton island colony this year proved a boost to other restoration projects. Notable increases occurred at Outer Green Island (94 pairs); Jenny Island (467 pairs) and Seavy Island, New Hampshire (Isles of Shoals) which increased by about 1,200 pairs.

The regional approach to tern restoration and management continues to prove itself for these rare terns. Terns displaced by predators or other disruptions, can move to other sites for a second nesting attempt.

This week on the Seabird Cam
The terns are hatching at Egg Rock-watch terns and their chicks by clicking on our website. Between 9-11AM EST daily, our education intern will control the camera by moving it from nest to nest, attempting to feature the newly hatched tern chicks. During these hours, they will also look for puffins. At all other hours the camera is set to move automatically between tern nests.

June 9, 2003

Seabird Camera Focuses on Egg Rock Terns

The seabird camera has returned to Eastern Egg Rock and it is presently beaming live-streaming video of nesting Common and Roseate Terns. The robotic camera is the invention of Daniel Zatz of SeeMore Wildlife systems, the Homer, Alaska company. This is the fourth year that Audubon has arranged with SeeMore Wildlife to install the camera. The camera sends its signal by microwave signal from a transmitter that sits on the south end of Eastern Egg Rock. The tiny island is home to the world's first restored puffin and tern colony and it is the largest colony of endangered Roseate Terns in Maine.

The microwave signal beams eight miles across Muscongus Bay to the Audubon Visitor Center in Bremen. A unique feature of the camera permits an operator in the visitor center to pan the camera in all directions and to zoom in and out for closer views. The resolution of the camera is so sharp that biologists operating the camera can read the numbers on tiny bands attached to the terns and measure the length of the terns beak- a technique for determining the sex of the bird. Mainland operators can also wash the camera lens and wipe it dry using remote operated windshield wipers.

The terns are incubating eggs now and these should begin to hatch during the third week of June. About July 15th, the camera location will shift for better puffin watching. Audubon interns will operate the camera each morning from 9-11AM from the mainland visitor center to insure a variety of views of all species within reach of the powerful lens. Later in the summer, interns on the island will occasionally provide on-line, narrated talks directly from Egg Rock bird blinds. A grant from The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund pays for the camera.

Seabird Camera is on the Internet. Focused on incubating terns. Tern eggs are hatching this week. Watch for the first chicks to make their appearance on our real time, streaming video. See the Island Live by clicking below...

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For General Information and Questions: puffin@audubon.org

Mailing Address: Project Puffin 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, New York 14850 607-257-7308