2016 Egg Rock Update

Newsletter of the Seabird Restoration Program of the National Audubon Society 2016

IS THE ACADIAN REDFISH HELPING PUFFINS ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE? Once-Endangered Fish Population Increasing Near Some Puffin Colonies

t was a big surprise when Project Puffin researchers A fisheries success I on Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock discovered story plump puffin chicks deep under granite boulders this Named for the past summer. With 2016 sea surface temperatures hit- crimson color of mature ting near-record highs, island biologists feared a dismal adults, Acadian red- nesting season, similar to 2013 when only about 10% fish were first detected of puffins fledged young. But the discovery that 75% in puffin chick diets of puffin pairs on Matinicus Rock fledged chicks was in Maine in 2011 and surprising because just nine miles away on Seal Island have been a regular and NWR, only 57% of pairs fledged young. In contrast to significant part of their the healthy puffin chicks at Matinicus Rock, most Seal diets in recent years. This Island chicks were underweight, and many were starv- is notable because redfish ing. Even worse, at Machias Seal Island on the U.S./ were once persecuted so Canadian border, researchers reported the worst-ever severely throughout their nesting season—only 12% of the 5,000 puffin pairs New England and Cana- Jean Hall Jean fledged a chick, and most of these were so underweight dian Maritimes range that Acadian redfish helped to they were likely to perish at sea. they nearly vanished. In save the day for puffin chicks White hake and Atlantic herring are usually the 1996, the fish was classi- at Eastern Egg Rock and principal forage fish for puffins in the Gulf of Maine, fied as endangered by the Matinicus Rock; elsewhere but warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures made International Union for in the Gulf of Maine many puffin chicks starved. Sandy Flint it difficult for puffins to find sufficient supplies of these Conservation of Nature. cold-water fish. Acadian redfish are vul- In 2016, white hake remained important in puffin nerable to excessive fishing because they are long-lived chick diets at all islands, but Atlantic herring was almost fish with relatively low reproduction rates. Known widely completely absent. At Seal Island NWR, white hake as “ocean perch,” redfish is hailed as a fisheries success made up more than 75% of the puffin chick diet, but story, demonstrating how proper management under the supply was still insufficient for many chicks to thrive. the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act made In contrast, Acadian redfish dominated the puffin chick it possible for them to recover. Puffins feed their young Mission: diet at Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock, making the pelagic juvenile stage of redfish, as these small fish Developing up 43% and 50% respectively of all fish delivered. At migrate from deep water to relatively shallower water both islands, beak loads of white hake and haddock near the mainland where they feed on zooplankton. techniques for supplemented the redfish-dominated diet. restoring seabirds to historic ranges Cool facts about Acadian redfish and encouraging • Redfish are also called “ocean perch.” the protection • Unregulated fishing that began in the 1930s caused their and appreciation extirpation, and by 1996 they were listed as endangered. of seabirds • Their lifespan is 50 years or more. worldwide. • Breeding redfish frequent waters up to 2,000 feet deep at the edge of the continental shelf. • They give birth to up to 20,000 live young. Shawn P. Carey Seabird Restoration Program Staff Executive Director: Stephen W. Kress Managing Director: Tiffany Huenefeldt Associate Director: Rosalie V. Borzik Office Manager: Deborah J. Wood Annual Giving Manager: Ruth Likowski Assistant to the Director: Terry P. Mingle Education Coordinator: Peter Salmansohn Sanctuary Manager: Paula Shannon Assistant Sanctuary Manager & Education Outreach Specialist: Susan E. Schubel Database Manager: André Breton Boat Naturalists: Pete Salmansohn, Anthony Liss Office Assistant: Arthur Marchese Project Puffin Visitor Center Staff Manager: Susan Meadows Assistant Manager: Travis Marceron Like Acadian redfish, haddock is recovering from once overfished popula- Volunteers: Aubrey Alamshah, Sue Schwan, Elyse Socker, Brian Trask, tions and becoming more abundant in puffin chick diets. Marilyn Trask Hog Island Staff Climate, plankton and puffins Program Manager: Eva Matthews Facilities Manager: Eric Snyder Blooms of tiny green phytoplankton (aquatic plants that con- Facilities Assistant: Adrian Brégy tain chlorophyll) are a normal spring phenomenon in the Gulf of Head Chef: Cleo Bell Sous Chef: Kristi Bokros Maine. Phytoplankton are typically consumed by zooplankton, the Kitchen Assistant: Eli Redfern dominant form being the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Recent Volunteer: Marie Benedetti Friends of Hog Island President & Camp Store Manager: Juanita Roushdy research by NOAA biologists has shown a pattern of phytoplankton blooms with increasing magnitude in the western region of the Egg Rock Update Staff 1 Authors: Stephen Kress,Tiffany Huenefeldt, Paula Shannon Gulf of Maine. Because phytoplankton fuel the food chain that Editors: Rosalie V. Borzik, Elissa Wolfson produces the forage fish eaten by puffin chicks, we may have an Design: Green Heron Graphics, Etna, New York explanation for why puffin colonies in the western region of the Project Puffin, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Maine coast are more successful than those in the eastern region. Ithaca, NY 14850 USA • www.projectpuffin.org Small forage fish such as Acadian redfish and white hake likely Project puffin photo benefit from more abundant and healthier condition zooplankton prey near the westernmost puffin colonies such as Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock. In contrast, there has been diminished nesting success for puffins and other seabirds in eastern Maine. Since about 2004, sea surface temperature has warmed and this has affected the early spring phytoplankton bloom and consequently the forage fish available to the eastern colonies. Seabird eggs in many ‘baskets’ builds climate resilience Rare seabirds benefit from the restoration and protection of multiple sites because some sites will prove successful while others may fail. Providing Maine seabirds with many nesting islands offers more resiliency to a changing climate because some colonies may thrive The 2016 Maine Research Team while others may suffer because of differences in plankton, forage First Row: Steve Kress; Jonathas dos Santos; Taylor Verrett; Stacey Hollis; S.J. Kwiatkowski; Keenan Yakola. Second Row: Caroline Bailey; Jaimie fish or other local conditions. Kittle; Allison Smith; Sammi Ocher; Joanna Morelli; Shannon Blake; Emily Schmidt; Travis Marceron. Third Row: Isabel Brofsky; Aspen Ellis; Ravin Read an expanded version of this article at http://bit.ly/PuffinsRedfish. Thomasson; Emma Greenberg; Keri Geiser; Rachel Prestigiacomo; Sue 1Spring bloom dynamics and zooplankton biomass response on the US Northeast Continental Schubel; Rose Borzik. Fourth Row: Frank Mayer; Laura Brazier; Kelsey Shelf. Kevin D. Friedland, Robert T. Leaf, Joe Kane, Desiree Tommasi, Rebecca G. Asch, Navarre; Dan Davis; Jess Steketee Nathan Rebuck, Rubao Ui, Scott I. Large, Charles Stock, Vincent S. Saba. Continental Shelf Absent from photo: Jackie Anderson; Austin Brayton; Raymond Burke; Research 102(2015)47–61. Andrew Cornish; Miguel Corrales; Eben Dodge; Suzanne, Noel & Eben Dodge; Rebecca Esch; Coco Faber; Sandy Flint; Jeff Grove; Julia Gulka; Gary Gulka; Jean Hall; Tiffany Huenefeldt; Caitlin Hume; Lara Jones; Stacey Keefer; Makenzie Kolasa; Laura Kwasnoski; Mary LaCreta; Robby Redfish in Maine Puffin Chick Diet 2011–2016 Lambert; Jaime Lee; Ayla Liss; Nick Matesanz; Abby McBride; Bob 60 McGuire; Emma Ober; Sally Ober; Colin Pennock; Kristin Pennock; Char- lotte Peterson; Jean Peterson; Randy Peterson; Patty Rehn; Pete Salmansohn; 50 Logan Schmidt; Amanda Selvy; Paula Shannon; Heather Simmons; Rick Eastern Egg Rock Smith; Fernando Solís; Jessica Waldinger; Anita Waltz-Hill; Ellen, Talon & 40 Dory Westhaver; Debbie Wood; Julia Zarankin; Janine Zhu Matinicus Rock Award Recipients 30 Josephine Daneman Herz International Seabird Fellows: Seal Island NWR 20 Jesús Miguel Corrales Sauceda; Jonathas dos Santos; Fernando Solís Carlos Percent redfish Sponsored Research Staff 10 Bowdoin College Interns: Coco Faber; Emma Greenberg; Colby College 0 Intern: Rachel Prestigiacomo; Louisa Deumling Interns: SJ Kwiatkowski; 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Ravin Thomasson; Alan & Betty Feldman Intern: Stacey Hollis; Hobart and William Smith Colleges Intern: Keri Geiser; Paul King Prior to 2011, Acadian redfish were not part of the Maine puffin diet. Intern: Keenan Yakola; Duryea & Peggy Morton Seabird Interns: Kelsey Navarre; Emily Schmidt; Allison Smith; Texas A&M Intern: Taylor Verrett In 2016, the availability of redfish made it possible for most puffins to breed successfully at Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock. Learn how you can sponsor a Project Puffin research assistant. Contact us at: [email protected] 2 Egg Rock Update 2016 WINTER HAVEN INTRODUCING New Marine National Monument offers winter TIFFANY HUENEFELDT habitat for puffins and breeding white hake he Seabird Restoration Stephen W.Kress ore than 21,000 seabird enthusiasts responded to the Audu- T Program is pleased to M bon call to write letters to President Obama, urging him to introduce its newest staff establish the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National member—Managing Direc- Monument. tor Tiffany Huenefeldt. With The movement to create this first marine sanctuary along the a science background in chem- Atlantic Coast of the United States was already underway before istry and biology and a lifelong Project Puffin announced our discovery a year ago that the area passion for birds, she comes to was frequented by Maine coast puffins in winter. This discovery Audubon after residing for 18 capped decades of mystery about the winter home of Maine puf- years in Germany and Spain. fins and was timely news for those already committed to saving Tiffany has held a variety of the area, which is famed for pristine corals, whales and sea turtles positions in the business sector, that frequent a unique marine habitat that is home to more than most recently as Corporate 1,000 marine species. Development Manager for Charismatic animals usually get most of the attention when KD Pharma, one of the larg- conservation challenges arise, but another denizen of the deep est producers of Omega-3 canyons also deserves attention. The new Marine National Monu- concentrates, a position that gives her a unique perspective ment is also a refuge for breeding white hake that that can reach of the global economics associated with sustainable fisheries. nearly five feet in length, each laying millions of eggs. This area is one of the sources of the puffins’ most reliable forage fish. Tiny white hake (measuring less than ½ inch) hatch in coastal canyons such as the new marine national monument, and soon begin a remarkable, epic migration of more than 150 miles from ! the continental shelf to Maine’s coastal waters. Their journey takes Admittedly, the seabird section of every field guide I own had them near Maine seabird islands where puffins, terns and other been, until recently, virtually unused and uncreased. So how, you seabirds intercept them to feed their chicks. might ask, is it possible that I became the new Managing Director Today, white hake breed only in the deep canyons of the con- of the Seabird Restoration Program? A vacation in Maine, my love tinental shelf. Thanks to President Obama, 4,913 square miles of of all things “bird,” and a growing desire after 18 years abroad pristine marine habitat—an area about the size of Connecticut—is to return to my country, its people, and the amazing wildlife here now protected from commercial fishing, mining and other threats. started me on this incredible journey. I first came into contact with Project Puffin on a spontaneous trip to Maine. Armed with binoculars and camera equipment, my local friends took my daughter and me on a Boothbay Harbor puffin- watching cruise. I was hooked. I just couldn’t believe it when, shortly thereafter, I saw the vacancy announcement speaking to both my business and biology background. It seemed to be written just for me. Since then, I have had the honor of meeting and now working for Dr. Steve Kress, the father and captain of this remarkable program. The full-time team is a small, tightly knit group of amazingly dedicated people working hard to further our knowledge of the- seabird breeding colonies on seven coastal islands in Maine, shar ing what is learned, and ensuring that our donors know they are appreciated. Talented interns and passionate volunteers bring the daily muscle to the summer field and camp season. It is their constant presence on the islands that allows the fragile bird populations to remain robust as we watch over invasive species, predators and the availability of forage fish. As the unused pages of my field guide demonstrate, marine birds are often unseen and forgotten. Your interest and support ensures that this amazing program continues as we safeguard the puffins and seabirds in our constantly changing marine environment. Thank you. I’m honored to now be working with you.

Tiffany Huenefeldt Managing Director, Seabird Restoration Program Egg Rock Update 2016 3 2016 Maine Island Highlights

EASTERN EGG ROCK ➤➤852 Common, 78 Roseate, and 76

Laughing gull by gull Laughing Butaky Bob Arctic Tern pairs nested. ➤ ISLAND WEATHER ➤150 Atlantic Puffin nests were determined to be active. ollowing a very warm winter, May ➤➤A recently dead beaver was discov- F temperatures were cool but soon ered on the island in mid-June; gave way to average or above average how it arrived is still a mystery. summer temperatures. Rain was a rare ➤ event in 2016; drought conditions in ➤White hake was the primary food southern Maine led to the Stratton item fed to tern chicks, while redfish was the most abundant fish fed Island pond drying to nothing more to puffin chicks. than a mud puddle by September. One major weather event with a high-tide Seal Island NWR cabin between the pond and the sea. photo by Stephen Kress. storm surge led to a high loss of tern Roseate Tern chick by Jean Hall nests on low-lying beaches at Stratton SEAL ISLAND NWR Island. JENNY ISLAND ➤➤ Tern populations held steady, with 1,309 Common Tern and 939 Arctic Pond Island NWR Supervisor, Ravin Thomasson, with Common Tern chick. photo by Stephen Kress. Tern nests. ➤➤ Twenty-one pairs of Roseate Terns, and 1,122 pairs of Common Terns nested, FOOD as well as one pair of Arctic Terns. ➤➤An estimated 510 puffin nests were active. POND ISLAND NWR he chick-rearing season started with ➤➤Two mink disrupted the colony in early June; both were quickly trapped, ➤➤Puffin productivity was below average, with 0.57 chicks fledged per pair. ➤➤ For the first time since 1998, no Great-horned Owl predation was detected. plenty of fish to go around, but a limiting negative effects on productivity. T ➤➤23 Great Cormorant nests pro- ➤➤A record 773 Common Tern pairs nested, fledging an average of 1.5 chicks drop in food availability was noted at ➤➤Common Tern chicks were fed primarily herring, while Roseate Tern chicks duced 37 chicks. per nest. all islands after the first week in July. primarily received sand lance. ➤ A lack of herring was notable at most ➤➤Rare birds spotted at Seal Island ➤Three pairs of Roseate Terns nested, although no eggs hatched. islands, with only Casco Bay’s Outer NWR included an Ancient Mur- ➤➤Six pairs of Arctic Terns nested, fledging eight chicks. Green and Jenny Islands reporting typi- relet and a Great Knot—both first records for Maine. cal herring amounts in chick diets. Sand lance dominated tern diets on Stratton and Pond Islands, and hake, as usual, MATINICUS ROCK was dominant on Egg Rock, Matinicus ➤➤ 621 Arctic Tern pairs nested, fledging 0.67 chicks per pair. Rock, and Seal Island NWR. Redfish ➤ made up a significant portion of puffin ➤167 Common Tern pairs nested, fledging 1.03 chicks per pair. chick diets, especially at Matinicus Rock ➤➤Two Common Murre eggs were found amongst the nests in the Razorbill and Egg Rock. colony; both eggs failed to hatch. ➤➤Puffin productivity was the highest in the Gulf of Maine, with about 75% of pairs fledging chicks. PRODUCTIVITY Jenny Island landing boat and observation blind (left); and Common Tern chicks (Right). photos by Stephen Kress ➤ roductivity was near average for ➤Three Manx Shearwater nests were confirmed with chicks. P most species across all islands. STRATTON Despite the drop in food availability in July, the relatively dry weather allowed ISLAND tern chicks to survive, although fledging ➤ Seal Island NWR Co-Supervisor, Keenan Yakola, with puffin chick (left) and “grubbing” for chicks (right). ➤ An early June storm wiped photos by Stephen Kress. at below average weights. Puffin pro- out hundreds of low-lying ductivity was near average at Matinicus nests, leaving 825 nests to Rock, though later-hatched chicks did be counted during the Gulf OUTER GREEN ISLAND not fare as well as earlier-hatched chicks. of Maine Seabird Working ➤➤ A record 1,367 Common Tern pairs nested, Puffin productivity at Seal Island fell Group census. fledging an average 1.26 chicks per nest. below average, reflecting the north- ➤ ➤Common Terns fledged an average of 1 chick per nest (two to three chicks per ➤➤One Roseate Tern pair nested, the first since south gradient in the Gulf of Maine nest is average), despite predation by Black-crowned Night-Herons. Seal Island NWR cabin Between the Pond and the Sea. photo by 2010. Stephen Kress = in 2016, with average productivity at ➤ ➤Maine’s largest Roseate Tern colony, with 86 pairs nesting, fledged an average ➤➤Sixteen pairs of Black Guillemots nested, southern colonies and dismal productiv- of 1 chick per pair. ity at the most northern colonies. including one pair with a 3-egg clutch.

Outer Green Island Supervisor, SJ Kwiatkowsk, with Common Tern in Flight at Stratton Island. photo by Stephen Kress Roseate Tern chick. photo by Stephen Kress.

the Matinicus Rock lighthouse tower overlooking 4 the Atlantic Puffin nesting colony. photo by Stephen Kress. 5 Juanita Roushdy Hog Island Osprey cam photo Stephen Kress

Join the Puffin Society Join the Puffin (annual gift of $1,000 or more) and receive an invitation to visit Eastern Egg Rock in July 2017.

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wing-drying pose of a cormorant during a during cormorant a wing-dryingof pose

puffin-watching tour to Eastern Egg Rock. Egg Eastern to tour puffin-watching F

ifteen members of the newly formed last event first our joined Society Puffin table activity of the Annenberg Foundation. Annenberg the of activity table F

U P coordinated by (left to right): Dwayne Escola, Escola, Dwayne right): to (left by coordinated Education intern Sammi Ocher (right) imitates the imitates (right) Ocher intern Sammi Education Seal Island NWR seabird cams and Hog Island Osprey Osprey Island Hog and cams seabird NWR Island Seal - pre Kress Steve Dr. July. update sented a program - Visi Puffin Project our at Center in Rockland, tor’s that was followed Maine, - dinner recep a private by Penobscot tion overlooking morning, next the Early Bay. trip to narrated a boat Steve landing, Upon Rock. Egg and interns research the by met was group the who led society island supervisor Navarre, Kelsey close-up for blinds bird island the to members terns. and puffins nesting viewsof PUFFIN SOCIETY TRIP PUFFIN SOCIETY F - chari direct a explore.org, by sponsored are (above) cam The team of 29 Friends of Hog Island volunteers was volunteers Island Hog of Friends 29 of team The Benjamin Wong and Facilities Manager Eric Snyder. Snyder. Eric Manager Facilities and Wong Benjamin -

roject Puffin welcomed three international fellows to Maine in 2016. With With 2016. in Maine to fellows international three welcomed Puffin roject and Fellowship International Herz Daneman Josephine the support from ummer 2016 saw the busiest year for our seabird program’s tour boat out boat tour program’s seabird our for year busiest the saw 2016 ummer Rock Egg Eastern to tours Puffin-led Project when 1988 efforts since reach roject Puffin started its fifth year of explore.org collaboration with the collaboration started of explore.org fifth year its Puffin roject the in Refuge Wildlife National Island Seal on new a of camera installation his year’s lineup of Hog Island sessions continued to emphasize puffin and puffin emphasize to continued sessions Island Hog of lineup year’s his & Biology Seabird Maine as such courses conservation with seabird other

Audubon’s International Alliances Program, the three seabird biologists brought brought biologists seabird three the Program, Alliances International Audubon’s and learned methods for in Maine program Puffin’s of experience to Project years Corrales Miguel countries. home their in helpful be conservation will that seabird y Conservacíon Ecologia Islas De de biologists with Groupo are Solís and Fernando program collaborative part the of are They Mexico. Ensenada, in based (GECI) of Lab Cornell the and Program Restoration Seabird Audubon’s GECI, between islands. California Baja seven to seabirds restore to working is that Ornithology Birds Marine Coastal the from summer this Maine to came Santos dos Jonathas health the in interest an with veterinarian a is He Brazil. Northeast in Program Brazil. coastal in animals marine other migratory of and terns began. Project Puffin interns helped lead the tours, which reached nearly 9,000 9,000 nearly reached which tours, the lead helped interns Puffin Project began. to Eastern and Boothbay Harbor Harbor New boats from tour passengers aboard period! -month ½ 2 a over tours boat 110 approximately was This Rock. Egg Great and Double-crested cormorant colony. It provided an up-close view the of up-close an provided It colony. cormorant Double-crested and Great same the Unfortunately, birds. these of beauty emerald-eyed overlooked, often camera. the on toll their took burrows puffin slab granite shift can that waves be will it but season, nesting the after until repaired be not could camera The for avenue an provide to continued cams other The 2017. in island the on back Hog the as watched We behavior. and diet on data collect to scientists citizen near- to chicks three raised successfully Steve, and Rachel pair, Osprey Island felt certainly We nest. the on raid eagle much-publicized a before stage fledging B,” “Little and “Eric” of fledging successful the but “Spirit,” chick the of loss the sweeter. the all was attack, survived both the who Conservation, Hands-on Bird Science, Joy of Birding, and for young birders, birders, young for and Birding, of Joy Science, Bird Hands-on Conservation, birders best-known country’s the of Some Teens. for Studies Bird Maine Coastal McGowan Kevin and Dunn Pete Weidensaul, Scott as such ornithologists and led these courses with participants in the conservation getting first-hand program habitat. puffin restoring and census seabird a conducting experience

6 HOG ISLAND AUDUBON CAMP AUDUBON HOG ISLAND T INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS INTERNATIONAL P

PUFFIN BOAT TOURS PUFFIN BOAT S P AUDUBON BIRD CAMS AUDUBON BIRD WE’VE GONE ALTERNATIVE! the cells on of photovoltaic installation the that is, with energy, Alternative Island Hog of Friends buildings. Bridge and House Fish Camp’s Island Hog panels, Solar project. solar the to labor volunteer and $27,000 over contributed Restoration services Seabird the design help and to engineering microinverters, SunPower by donated were cells the install and roofs the prepare team Program the $150,000, nearly at Valued LLC. Energy, Smart Northeast and Corporation Camp Island Hog the both of needs energy the of 75−90% provide will project camp. base mainland SRP’s and EDUCATION AND AND OUTREACH EDUCATION 2015–2016 CONTRIBUTORS Contributions listed were received from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. Space restrictions prevent us from listing our 1,310 Supporter-level friends. Every donor is important to us and we sincerely regret any omissions. Your continuing participation makes our work possible.

IN MEMORY OF Melissa Sulllivan Andy Correa Troy Mack & Galia Meiri Judith Sullivan Pat & Jay Jacobson Virginia & Brian Petzold Frances Amsterdam Marcia Kean David L. Thombs Brian Custer Diane Merritt Mary Thombs Daniel McCarthy Ward Merritt & Susan Holland Arthur Apy Judith Apy Sara Vollmer Doc Evans Wojciech Piotr Michno Jeff Bernholz Rebecca Evans Cerisa Obern Diana Balfour Casady John Casady Steven Walker Lois Fisher Eleanor Mosher Jacquie Walker & Steve Anderson Barbara & Ken Leach Harold Mosher Jane Chavis Sarah Ingalls Robert L. Wanner II Mark Germer John O’Rourke Marilyn & Bill Banfield Molly Germer Susan Ferber Sylvia Ann Corrado Timothy Benedict Jeanette J. Shearer Donna Boardman Mara Grissom Osprey Little B search team Elisa Rios Beverly Geuting Cornell Real Estate Department Patricia B. Einhorn Penny Kaufman Einhorn/Lasky Family Fund Jean & Andre Jagendorf Jim Haines Suzanne L. Lang Elizabeth Scott Trudy Phillips Martin Forrest Sharron McCarthy PWC Educators Sharon Leary Margy Hall Patricia Mcclary Burton Hall Peter Reeves Sharon Leary Micro Technologies Celia Ryder Elizabeth Townsend Baby Heidingsfelder-Thon Barbara & James Mingle Susan H. Murphy Rebecca Hall Pat Russo Christine Jackson William & Mary Anne Perks Roswell G. & Gretchen O. Hall Denise McCarthy Lise Hafner Thomas Ruane Anthony Hill Maureen Vanderbosch Linda Kedenburg Jennifer & Stephen Teeter Mary Ellen Kelly & Steve Morgan Karen Price Diana Van Buren Thomas K. VanDerzee Fred Weeman Derrick Jackson Patricia Vincent Linda T. King Michael & Cathy Whalen Linda Brion-Meisels Mary Vincent Robert King Cindy & Thomas Yale Tia Link Neale Smith & Gerry Elizabeth Fahey Marcolini Miri Gubler Lise Hafner Weinberger IN HONOR OF Linda Mahan Sue Weinstein Joan Reichwald Hope Babcock Alan Palmer Carper Wiggins Timothy Wiggins Cynthia Babcock L. Marcia Martin Rachel Wiggins & Chris Friend Rachel Sikorski Caroline Bailey Bev Smith Robert Noseworthy Anne Bailey Harlee Fried & Vinnie Martinisi Matthew Simoneau Rose Borzik Virginia & Brian Petzold Aissa Boduch Joette Borzik Common Tern by Jean hall $50,000–$100,000 Emory Hamilton Scott Mackenzie Marcia & Thomas Morton Mary La Creta Barbara’s Bakery, Inc. Hardy Boat Cruises Louis Matis & Tony Calamusa Jill H. Nagorniak John Lamb explore.org, a direct charitable Hobart and William Smith Colleges Mid-Coast Audubon Society Katie O’Brien Deirdre Lavieri & Brion Friedman activity of the Annenberg Phyllis Meek Monhegan Boat Line, Inc. Alan Palmer Catherine Liss Foundation National Philanthropic Trust Michael J. Moore Steve & Linda Post Donald & Jan Maxted Friends of Hog Island William & Mary Anne Perks The Norcross Wildlife Foundation Gordon & Susan Richardson Chuck & Ann Nickel Duryea & Peggy Morton R.N. Fish & Son, Inc. Eliot & Linda Paine Leslie A. & Carolyn W. Roslund Rose O’Neill National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Beth Ann Segal Roy & Barbara Pollock Susan Ross David Osborne The Pew Charitable Trusts Spellissy Foundation Robert M. Schiffman Foundation, Inc. Elizabeth & Jean Rowley John Park Stewart Foundation Juanita Roushdy Sandra & Gary Ruggiero Carolyn Pedone & John Rose $25,000–$49,999 The Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Kristin & Michael Sant Steven Shaw The Pegasus Foundation Disney Worldwide Charitable Trust-I Chrissie & Lex Sant Karen & David Smith Randy & Jean Peterson Conservation Fund Madeline Tom Linda Schneider & Stuart Crook Marilyn Smith Kashif Piracha Moe & Susan Feldman John A. Scully Richard Smith Susan Porter & Howard Snyder U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service $1,000–$4,999 John Sherman James & Virginia Visconti Andrew Rand Dr. Leigh Altadonna grants Gary Skomro Steven & Lisa Wallace J. Fredric Simms Anonymous (2) Anne Symchych Chenoa Watt Bernie & Mary Slofer $10,000–$24,999 Robert & Jennie Beth Baker Joseph Van Os Ian Whalley Alison Stebbins Anonymous The Barrington Foundation Wouter K. Vanderwal John & Jill Whiting Richard & Shirley Strycharz Paul & Kathy Anderson The Howard Bayne Fund Robert C. Wallis Beth & Pat Winkler Judith Sullivan Arete Foundation Kevin Bell Whisper Yacht The Seattle Foundation Sharon & Randy Blackburn Paula & Peter Bentinck-Smith $250–$499 Patricia Yardley Suzanne Trazoff Louisa Duemling Donald & Lois Betts Judy Abrams York County Audubon Society Charles & Jane Walcott Ed Helper Joette Borzik John R. Alexander Helen Walsh Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Bruce & Kevin Bowler Carol Armstrong $500–$999 Alex Ward Gilder Foundation Mrs. Walter F. Brissenden Acadia Birding Festival David W. Babington Elisabeth Wells Michael Herz & Kate Josephs Charles C. Butt Philip H. & Susan Bartels Donald Benanti Lucille Werlinich Hollis Declan Leverett Edward K. & Jo Carpenter William Bonthron Jeff Bernholz Joseph & Lettie Whitcomb Memorial Fund Margaret Anne & George Carswell Julie & Henry Burroughs Ann Biek Elizabeth & Colin White Paul King Ellen Curtis Karen & Jim Clarke Nick Bottinelli Muriel L. Wilhelm Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Alvin & Linda Doehring Paul Curtis Lois Cheston Charles Winker Stephen & Evalyn Milman Dr. & Mrs. William L. Elkins Miriam Daniel & Laurence Wolff David Colson Chris Wright Tom & Susan Moore Dr. Rebecca Esch Kathleen Elsey Robert Cotta Gail Zunz Samuel Plimpton & Wendy Shattuck Donna Eschen Julie Ensor Mary Jane Davis Prout’s Neck Audubon Society Hardy & Barbara Eshbaugh Rosemary Hall Evans Cindy & Gary Denholm RJM Foundation Deborah & William Ethridge Frank & Brinna Sands Foundation Einhorn/Lasky Family Fund MATCHING GIFTS David & Barbara Roux Bob & Alene Gelbard Carol Ann Krug Graves Flatbread Company SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Bank of America Charitable Georgia Ornithological Society Jeff Greco Dr. Alexandra Gerry Foundation, Inc. Conservation Fund Sophie Glovier Jackie Heinze Barbara Grace Irwin & Melinda Simon Susan & Daniel Gottlieb Robert & Joan Horn Nancy Grove BD Matching Gift Program Jennifer Speers Ann & Jim Hancock John Johansen Helen & Christian Haller ExxonMobil Lucy Waletzky Kathy Hannah Patricia Keesee Bruce Hart & Ilene Goldstein IBM Corp. $5,000–$9,999 Dr. Ada Hayes Jeanie & Murray Kilgour Daniel Hildreth National Grid Anonymous (2) Anthony Hill & Carlene Riccelli Catherine Latham Carol L. Horner, DO Shell Oil Company Pauline & Robert E. Anderson, III Molly Hood John Maxwell Barbara Huggins Kevin & Marilyn Bernzott Derrick Z. Jackson Tom McArdle Drs. Sami Husseini & Walt Disney Company Bobolink Foundation Charles Kingsley John McCarter & Deborah Keats Catherine Husa Foundation Colby College Lila Kommerstad George McCoy Karen & Curtis Kaine Employer matching gifts Alan & Betty Feldman Dr. Nelson L. Levy & Rob McGuire C. W. & Carol Ann Kauffman can double your support. Sandy & Sherry Flint Louisa Stiles Levy Stephen Morris Trude Kleess

Egg Rock Update 2016 7 Shawn P. Carey 2 017 Hog Island Programs Six-day programs for adults, teens, and families • Joy of Birding • Arts and Birding • Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens • Field Ornithology • Marine Natural History for Teens • Raptor Rapture • Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week • Family Camp • Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation • Fall Migration & Monhegan Island Learn more at Visit hogisland.audubon.org or call (843) 340-8673 projectpuffin.audubon.org/puffin-tours

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Seabird Restoration Program is a department of the Science Division LEAVE A LEGACY FOR SEABIRDS T of the National Audubon Society. We acknowledge Gary Langham, Teresa Hall, Marc Scollo, Mary Beth Henson and Susan Lunden for their solid support With the addition of the following paragraph and encouragement. We also thank John Fitzpatrick and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology staff for continued cooperation. to your will, you can leave a legacy for seabirds In addition, we thank Brad Allen, Kelsey Sullivan and the Maine Depart- ment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for permission and logistic support for through the Seabird Restoration Program: Proj- our work on Eastern Egg Rock, Jenny Island and Outer Green Island. We also ect Puffin Endowment Fund. thank Beth Goettel, Brian Benedict, Linda Welch and the staff of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge for their continued cooperation for our studies “I bequeath _____% of my residuary estate on Seal Island NWR, Pond Island NWR and Matinicus Rock. Robert Houston, biologist for the USFWS Gulf of Maine Program, graciously provided logistic (or a specific sum of $_____) to the National and field support. We also thank the Prout’s Neck Audubon Society for their Kress W. Stephen loyal support for our work on Stratton Island. Audubon Society, Inc., a not-for-profit environ- It is a special pleasure to acknowledge the following mental conservation organization with its headquarters at 225 Varick for their generous assistance and gifts: St., 7th Fl, New York, NY 10014 for the permanent endowment of its Karen Alexander Derrick Z. Jackson Seabird Restoration Program (also known as “Project Puffin”). Avian Haven Beverly Johnson Barbara’s Bakery Kieve-Wavus Education: Carolyn Bessey, Planet Fitness, Bill Chapman & Henry Kennedy Brunswick, ME Lucy LaCasse Hilde Bird Mike LaJoie Sharon & Randy Blackburn Dr. James Li Robert & Amy Campbell Maine Audubon: Peter Baecher ADOPT-A-PUFFIN Dave Corbeau, Harbormaster, Pine John Meyn ADOPT-A-PUFFIN Point, ME Kristin Mosher and Bill Wallauer Ted & Lori Curtis Janice & Lennart Olson Puffin devotees who contribute $100 or John Drury & Lucy McCarthy Rich Parker more (tax deductible) to Project Puffin Terry Dunning Prout’s Neck Audubon Society Dwayne Escola Prout’s Neck Yacht Club: will receive a certificate of adoption for Michael Fahay Scott Akerman; Eric Unterborne one Atlantic Puffin, along with a biog- Sandy & Sherry Flint R.N. Fish & Son, Inc. Kevin Friedland Rick Ring raphy and a color photo of their puffin. Friends of Hog Island Davin Robinson Walter & Ann Gamble Juanita Roushdy Adopt online at Melissa Groo Bill Scholtz projectpuffin.audubon.org/donate-project-puffin Linda & Skylar Grant David Scully Gunnar Gunderson & George Swallow or call us at (607) 257–7308. Lincoln County Rifle Club Alan Twombley, Harbormaster, Hardy Boat Cruises Falmouth, ME Jean Hall Weetabix Scholtz Bill Michael Herz and Kate Josephs George Wood Carl & Lee Ann Hoffner Benjamin Wong Debbie Jackson & Prout’s Neck Assoc. Rick & Jane Woodruff 30% post-consumer recycled content. Background photos on this page by Stephen Kress.