ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

COLONIAL WATERBIRD INVENTORY 1985

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gO~~Pt'~t>"'t i.Yt::: ~~emt~_,:!!;:_ No n Principal Investigator: ex 1600-4-0003

DF' t Wi 1 1 i am H. Dt"ur"Y Effective Date: April 16, 1985 College of The Atlantic Bar Harbor~ Maine Expiration Date: Dec. 31, 1985

Submi t.teci:

David C. Folger" Research Associate College of The Atlantic Bar Harbor~ Maine

/ INTRODUCTION

This report has been prepared for Acadia National Park through a cooperative research agreement between Acadia NPS and the College of The Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine. It sumarizes our observations on the present status of colonial waterbirds nesting on islands which Acadia NPS owns, holds easements on, or proposes to acquire. Species surveyed in this report. include: Black Guillemot CE'pph~:~~_ 9.CyJJ..e, Doubl e-crested Cormorant F·ha~crocora:·~ ._aur~~~L~_, Great Cormorant ~ar~~, Common Eider So~~teri~_ moll i ss2.~~, Leach's Storm Petrel Q.ceanodrama l~2:~orh~.~, Herri ng Gull Lc~!::y.s ar-qer:!. .:L~!:_~:...~' Greater Bl ack-backed Gull ~~... ~€:l.rin~~, Laughing Gull L atricilla, Arctic Tern §!:....er!..:-!~~_.E~!..::~di sae~, Common Tern S. hi runcl.~., Roseate Tern S •. _~<:!LI.(1.al....:~.2.2.., and Great Blue Heron f.:irdea herodias. Additionally nesting Osprey Pandion haliaetu~ and Bald Eagl e H~l i aeetus 1 eucocepllal us WE?re noted when obser-v·ed cm islands visit.ed in the survey.

Objectives and tasks of this project involved the following:

1. a review of available historical information on nesting colonial waterbirds for each of the islands surveyed.

2. an field inspection of park island holdings for all colonial waterbird species mentioned above.

3. a description of vegetation and physical features associated with each nesting colony.

4. an identification of threats and potential threats to waterbirds and their nesting habitat.

5. a review of, and recommendation for the mitigation of, identified threats.

I This report summarizes information collected during the c. 1985 nesting season. It represents the first survey to be carried out by Acadia NPS and College of The Atlantic researchers to monitor seabird colonies within the park's jurisdiction. A total of thirteen days were spent in the field, using on average three people to assist in censusing. Further analysis, synthesis and writing up of the information required approximately six weeks for one person.

For this project we have used survey methods which can be easily replicated. Additional surveys will further our understanding of population changes on park holdings and decrease the error inherent from single estimates.

·····1··_· To assist in this process the following format has been used: /

-Part 1. a discussion of methods--survey techniques employed in the field, subjective techniques used in evaluating potential threats, and format used in presenting the data collected for each island.

-Part 2. Results-- island-by-island descriptions, historical accounts, identified threats, and a subjective assesment of perceived value for each island in reference to regional and local significance.

-Part 3. Discussion-- potential threats identified in the survey, areas needing further attention, and recommendations for mitigation of potential threats to colonial waterbird colonies. Part 1. METHODS: ,..

Techniques for censusing seabirds have been a subject of much interest among ornithologists (see Nettleship, 1976; Drury, 1973; Nisbet, 1972; Wilbur, 1969; Buckley & Buckley, 1980). An on-going discussion involving bird surveys revolves around questions of rigor, repeatability and the suitability of results for interpretation. To go into the specifics of each of these questions is unnecessary. However, it should be recognized that conducting surveys of nesting colonies is complicated by a variety of factors. some specific to a colony, others specific to the biology of the species being surveyed.

To achieve a "good" count sE"!vet-C'd considerations need to bE~ made. A primary element is the timing of a census. Counts of breeding pairs are strongly influenced by when they are made in the breeding phenology of the species. This often varies from island to island as well as from season to season, and greatly influences comparisons of counts between years. It is generally held that for most colonial nesting species, surveys made just prior to when eggs are hatching include the greatest number of actual breeding pairs (Nisbet & Drury, 1972; Korshgen, 1979). This rule works well, however it neglects late arrivals, pairs that have lost their clutch early in the season, and sometimes first time breeding pairs.

In addition to seasonal variation, the time of day a census is conducted will also greatly influence the number of individuals seen around a colony. Generally, surveys made in the early morning or at evening include the highest number of birds around an island. In contrast, counts made around mid-day and early afternoon will include incubating adults and fewer non-breeders. Presumably those birds that do not have a nest are likely away feeding. Similarly, the state of the tide will effect the number of birds; gulls will oft~n leave and feed at low tide away from a colony, while at high tide they will gradually appear and roost.

A second major consideration includes the size of a colony, as well as its access. These features often dictate the type of survey method which is appropriate. For example, usually small colonies located on small offshore islands I J with low vegetation are better estimated from a boat than by landing and disturbing nesting birds. This is in contrast to large colonies that are typically spread out through a variety of habitats and better sampled by landing on the island.

Estimates may be made in a variety of ways for either counts made from the deck of a boat or from the nesting island. Generally they can include total coverage involving direct nest and individual counts of the birds on an island; or they can involve estimates made by extrapolating from counts made within sub-samples of a colony. Additionally, counts may include the number of nests, the number of incubating birds, or the number of individuals.

Despite efforts to systematize survey procedures, techniques need to be responsive to the physical featUres surrounding a colony and the ecology of the species being counted. Standardized sampling applied uniformily to all nesting species and all colonies is an ideal which is difficult to obtain and is often in conflict with field logistics and what can actually be counted without causing undue stress to the nesting species. Because nesting populations change over the breeding season, and because typically in both nest counts and counts of individuals human error involves 10-15 percent, interpretation of single estimates needs to accept 20-25 percent sampling error. Further counts made in a season will reduce this error, while counts made over several years will reveal trends which override annual variations. Ultimately, seabird surveys involve maintaining a data base that acts as an index from which general trends can be deciphered.

The techniques we employed in the field varied from species to species and from island to island. We aimed to get the most accurate estimate possible with the least amount of disruption to the nesting birds. Certain species lend themselves to counting nests, others require counting individuals around the island. For each species in this survey the following methods were employed:

Black Guillemot-- we counted the number of individuals around an island, preferably in early mornings in May when the greatest number of individuals associated to an island are concentrated within 200 meters offshore. l Double-crested Cormorant and Great Cormorant-- we counted the number of nests seen from the best vantage point around e~ch colony. This often meant counts from the deck of our boat or a promentory on the island.

Common Eider-~ we counted the number of male and females seen in early May in the water and on land at each nesting island. Additionally, we made a subjective estimate of the number of nests. (Because eider nest in dense vegetation and they flush easily from their nests, leaving eggs unprotected and vulnerable to gull predation, we avoided entering eider nesting areas.)

-4- Laughing, Herring, and Greater Black-backed Gull-- In small colonies ({25 pairs) direct nest counts were made. / In larger, yet consolidated, colonies counts of individuals appearing to defend nesting territory or incubating eggs were made from outside the colony, either from the deck of our boat or from a promontory on the nesting island. In large, dispersed, colonies adults in smaller sub-sample areas were counted either by flushing adults or, counting individuals on their nests while standing at the periphery of the nesting area, and then further extrapolations were made to match the whole colony.

Arctic, Common and Roseate Tern-- Tern nests and eggs are well camouflaged and difficult to count. Experience has shown us that in colonies of less than 50 pairs good estimates can be made by counting the total number of individuals flushed from the nesting area. We have found our estimates approximate the total number of nests usually within 10%. In larger colonies we use direct nest counts and employ a capture/recapture technique to assess sampling i. error (see Folger & Drennan, 1984). To separate species, we estimate the proportions of adult Arctic and Common Terns flying over the colony and infer this ratio in the final estimate. For Roseate Terns, their few numbers allow direct counts.

Great Blue Heron-- Herons typically nest in the tops of trees. Direct counts from below can be employed as well as counts from aerial photos. Tyler (1977), however, reports greater accuracy from ground counts. In this survey we employed direct ground counts.

Leach's Storm Petrel-- Petrels nest in burrows and are active around breeding colonies only at night. Entrances J to nesting burrows are difficult to find. Several entrances may represent one burrow and the presence of a breeding pair is not directly correlated to the number of burrows observed (see Wilbur, 1969). In our survey we did not count burrows; instead, we searched for presence and absence, and rely on previous surveys for quantitative accounts.

In addition to estimating the number of breeding pairs, general features of each island were recorded. These observations included vegetation types, topographical relief, anchorages and landing access, and evidence of i human activities. On only those islands that required j' landing to count nesting birds were these features scrutinized at close range. Thus for several islands this information is cursory. For all island descriptions, emphasis was placed on describing the general cover types, location of nesting colonies, houses, and features that may potentially alter the present characteristics of the island. PCl.rt 2. Presentation / A list of species occurrences and page listings for each island surveyed is presented in Table 1 .. A detailed species account and description for each island visited then follows. The sequence of island accounts is presented by geographic I ocat ion. lsI ands f r-om west to east in Penobscot Bay are presented first followed by Jericho Bay, Blue Hill Bay and Frenchman Bay.

The data are presented using the following standardized form:

Island Name: Maine State Island Registry Number: Quadrangle: Size:

Species recorded in 1985: Number and Estimate:

Survey Method: (counts made from the ground, boat, etc.)

Historical nesting record per species:

Island description:

Perceived Threats to Colonial Waterbirds:

Perci eved Val ue for Col oni al Waterbi rds: (the i sl Cl.nds present importance both regionally and locally) * * * * * * * Information on Size, Ownership/Status and Restrictions was obtained through Acadia NPS easement files. Historical information was compiled using:

Coastal Waterbird Colonies: Maine by C.E. Korschgen, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Biological Service Program, FWS/OBS 79-09.

Wading Birds In Maine by H.R. Tyler, Maine State Planning Office, Planning Report No. 26, 1977.

Population st0tus of Arcti~, Common. and Roseate Terns In The Gulf Of Maine, With Observations Of Five Downeast Colonies. by D.C. Folger & M.P. Drennan, unpublished report, Fall 1984; submitted to Acadia NPS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Moosehorn NWR., and The Nature Conservancy, Maine Chapter.

-6--· Table 1. Islands and Species Surveyed in 1985 ,/

.j...l 8 .j...l ] ~ &; Q) ~ ~ oh ;:j t:J rl 1CIJ @ "C ~ J 8 &l e ~ "**" "9 ::q u Q) ~ ~ ~ .j...l .j...l 00 c..9 a ~ ~ ] t1 p:) ~ p:) u :I:: >-4

Baker Is. 73

Bald Porcupine Is. 76

Bar Is. (Frenchman Bay) n

Heron Is. X X X X 67

Little Moose Is. 82

Schoodic Is. X X X X X ?, X 83

Sheep Porcupine Is. X 78

Proposed Acquisitions:

Drum Is. 64

Egg Rock X X X X X X 74

Green Is. X X X X X 61

Green Is. Ledge X X X X X 63

Ship Is."*' X X X 49

Trumpet Is. X X X X 52-

Acadia NPS Easements:

Babbige Is. X 11

Babson Is. X X 25

Bald Is. X X X X 13

Barred Is. 15

Bean Is. X X 00 --8-- Table 1. continued: Acadia NPS Easements, cant: /

.j..J .j..J § .j..J ~ ] &1 Q) ~ j ~ gj aJ ~ UJ @ "CI . J i & ~ r2 I=Q U "CI ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. .j..J .j..J ~ ffiJ ~ U I=Q ::r:: ..J -0:: U P::: A (? ] (? ~ 8 ~ Little Duck Is. X X X X X X 71

Little Babson Is. 24

Little Spoon Is. X X X X X X 35

Little Gatt Is. ? 59

Moose Is. 58

Opechee Is. 43 I I Or-ono Is. 44

Pell Is. X 33

Pond Is. X X X 16

Pond Is. 47

Pond Is. 81

Pr-ebble Is. X 79

Round Is. 48

Rolling Is. 86

Scr-ag Is~ 14

Shabby Is. X X X X X 3)

Sheep Is. X X 28

Spr-uce Is. 79

Sutton"s Is. X 69

The Ledges 54

The Hub X 53 "1 ) West Sister- Is. fi) '-J I West Torr-ey Is. X X X 20 I

--'9-- Island:Dumpling Is. Me. Reg. # 63-347 to Quadrangle: Vinalhaven / Size: 3 acre Cover Type: 5 small forested islands wi associated ledges. Ownership/Status: Private. 1 easement F~:estrictions: "Forever Wild", no str--uctur--es. Survey Date: 5/23/1985; 0930 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 4 Osprey 1 active nest

Method: Boat census

Historical Account: Speci es: Common Eider 1pr. 1977; Korschgen, 1978 Osprey 1 pr- • 1972, '72,'74 Korshgen, 1978

Description: Located on the western side of the Fox Island Thorofare, this small chain of islands are passed frequently by boaters going to and from North Haven (0.5 mi. to the East), or passing into West or Eastern PenobscQt Bay(s). The islands appear as a 10w«15 ft. elev.) gabro outcrops, supporting a thin layer of soil on which a dense shrub and spruce vegetation has colonized. Tree heights range from 15-30 ft. tall, predominantly White Spruce (Picea glauca). Shrub species consist of Rose (Rosa sp.) Raspberry (Rubus ideaus), and Elderberry (Sambucus sp.). A narrow strip of grasses and herbaceous species encircle each of the islands. The shallow waters surrounding the islands prevent safe anchoring and serve as a natural deterent to boaters and potential picnickers. Very few Eider appear interested in the i sl ands as a nesti ng si ten Close pro:d mi ty to Vinalhaven and North Haven result in a high probability of predators arriving on the island and therefore discouraging nesting seabirds. The Osprey have been a long time resident and have built two nests on the two middle islands. Reproduct~ve success of this pair is uoknown. On~ island was posted, describing the Dumplings as a protected reserve, claimed as property of the state, and encouraging people to stay off during the nesting season. Posting should be done in the near future as the present signs is showing much wear.

\ Threats: I No immediate problems; posting should be done in the near future to discourage landing during the Osprey nesting season (May 1 "st-Aug l'st.).

Perceived Value to Colonial Waterbirds: Low l !

--10--- Island:Babbige Is. Me. Reg. #: 63-036 Quadrangle: North Haven / Size: 70 acres Cover Type: Predominantly spruce wi small stands of White Birch (Betula sp.) and shrub meadows. Ownership/Status: Private: 1 easement. Restrictions: Temporary structures and sheep grazing allowed. Survey Date: 5/14/85; 1100 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 1 pro SE corner

Method: Walked periphery of the island. Outer ledges may support a few nesting Black Guillemot, could not confirm.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Located 1.25 miles to the southeast of North Haven, the island is situated at the eastern entrance to the Fox Island Thorofare. From the water it appears as a fairly tall (elev. 60 ft.) island with bold shores on the north and southern ends, and low gravel beaches on the east and western shores. Associated ledges are located on the south and eastern sides, and provide a roosting and feeding area for Double-crested Cormorants, Common Eider and Black Guillemots. Fair to good anchorages are located along the west and north sides. The vegetation of the island is diverse; supporting a dense forest of White and Red Spruce, White Birch and Shadbush (Amelanchier sp.), as well as a wide array of herbaceous vegetation. Noteworthy characteristics include: one large and several smaller brackish marshes, a cleared field on' the southern end, and a birch stand on the northern shore. Along the eastern and western gravel beaches Oysterleaf (Mertensia maritima) was found. This is a sub-ar~tic plant considered by Maine's Critical Areas Program as valued and deserving protection. This station was not reported by the Critical Areas review of the species st~tus in M~ine (see Tyler et.al. 1982). The only recent human activity noted involved recent cutting of spruce trees along the southern field and several foot paths throughout the woods. Fair to good anchorages are located on the west and north sides of the island.

Threats: Growth of spruce has resulted in a considerable accumulation of combustible litter. Fire posses a real threat to the islands present appearance. Care should be emphasized by visitors, and forest practices encouraged to lessen the amount of dead standing wood.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

-11- .J Island: Bald Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-803 Quadrangle: North Haven / Size: 5 acres Cover Type: Partially treed, predominantly shrubs wi low herbaceous vegetation. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: Presently no structures, can build 1 house, dock and associated outbuildings. Survey Date: 5/15, and 5/16/1985; 1500 & 0730 hrs. resp.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 45 females, 230 males, est. 50 pro nesting. Black-backed Gull 2 pro 5 indv. Herring Gull 44 pro 120 indv. Black Guillemot 3 i ndv.

Method: Boat census, Two counts conducted.

Historical Account: Species: Common Eider 18 pro 1967, Mendall 250 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 10pr. 1977, Korschgen Herring Gull 500 indv. (new Colony) 1914, Norton 300 pro 1931, Norton 35 pro 1965-73, Drury 125 pro 1977, Korschgen Black Guillemot 2 pro 1977, Korschgen D-C. Cormorant Active Col. 1966, Mendall

Description: Bald Island is a steep sided, tall (60 ft. elev.), I island located approximately 1.75 mi. northeast of North J Haven. As a result of its relative isolation and its rugged shoreline and poor anchorage, it is a well suited seabird nesting island. Roughly one quarter of the island I is compa,sed of Whi te Spt-uce and Aspen (Popul us tremuloides) , one half of the island is 3-4 ft. shrubs, and the remainder is made up of low herbaceous vegetation and exposed b~dr02k outcrops. Nesting appeared to be restricted to the south and southwest sides. Gulls occupy the higher sections of the island, using the outcrops as sentry posts and roosting .ites. Eider were present among the shrubs along the western side of the island. Guillemots were seen in the water under the steep rock faces on the southern end of the island. Nesting of guillemots could not be confirmed. In relation to other major nesting islands in the upper Penobscot Bay area, Bald Island is unique. It supports the second largest concentration of nesting seabirds in the area, next to Hard Head Is. -approximately

--12---- three miles to the north- and a diverse range of species, ducks, gulls and alcids. Owing to the high number of / submerged ledges in the area, the surrounding waters offer a productive zone for feeding eider and guillemot.

Threats: 1 Potential harm may result from human visits during the nesting season. Posting should be done to discourage visitation from May l"st to July 15"th. Presently easement restriction allow for owners to build. If this is allowed the island will cease to be a site for nesting.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate, locally high.

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l -13- Island: Scrag Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-788 Quadrangle: North Haven Size: 8.5 acres Cover Type: Predominantly bare rock with {50% shrub and qrass Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently 5 structures, can build to include pier and breakwater. Date Surveyed: 5/16/85; 1730 hrs.

Spec i E?S: Number Nesting pr.: Common Eider count 25 males, 6 females around island; believe 0 nesting.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None Reported.

Description: Scrag Island is located 0.5 miles south of Great Spruce Head Island and 0.5 miles west of Bear Island, all situated 6 mi I es north of North H8.ven. It is a low barren i sl and with two houses and several associated structures. Vegetation is restricted to a gravel/sandy area on the south side and less exposed cracks in the bedrock. Plants included Rose, Bayberry and low herbaceous plants. Predominant features on the island include the two houses and their associated structures. These buildings and human activities have probably discouraged nesting for several decades. Good feeding zones are abundant in the area and a large number of eider were seen.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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··-14····· Island: Butler & Barred Is. Me. Reg. #:59-776 Quadrangle: North Haven & 59-780 ! Size: 183.5 acres Cover Type: Wooded (}85% spruce), with inter-tidal bar connecting the two islands Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no structures, future building allows for 5 houses and associated buildings. Survey Date: 5/16/85; 0630 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None Found

Description: Barred and Butter Islands are located approximately 3.5 miles north of North Haven. Owing to the large size and dense spruce forest, the two islands support small mammals, such as Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), which discourage seabird nesting. Due to its large size and non-use by seabirds, we did no further investigation.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

-15- Island: Pond Is. Me. Reg. #:59-677 Quadrangle: Castine / Size: 30 acres Cover Type: Two-thirds wooded «85% spruce), the remainder fields, marsh and sandy beach. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: for conservation, education or recreation purposes only Survey Date: 5/15/85; 1330 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 100 males, 40 females, est. 30-50 pro nesting Herring Gull 2 pro Osprey 1 active nest.

Method: Walked periphery of island, ground est.

Historical Account: Common Eider present, 1965-73, Drury 35 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 15 indv. 1966, Mendall 5 pro 1965-73, Drury Herring Gull 110 i ndv. 1966, MendEd I 350 indv. 1966, Drury 150 pro 1965-73, Drury Black Guillemot 6 pro 1965-73, Drury

Description: Located 1 mile south of Cape Rosier, Pond Island is situated at the western entrance to Eggemoggin Reach. It is a low (elev. (50 ft.), narrow island, composed of glacial till. Its southern and northern shores have undergone considerable erosion. Sand beach deposition has enclosed a 2 acre pond within a saltmarsh and sandy beach on the southern and northeast~rn sides of the island. The Osprey nest is located in a 30 ft. tall dead spruce along the edge of the pond. Higher elevations support a dense fo~est of White Spruce. An old field is present on the western side and is comprised of grasses as well as Bayberry, Raspberry and Roses. This ·field supports 20-30 ne~ting ei~er.· Additional eider nests were found along the north shore under a spruce and alder canopy. An Indian midden is located on the north shore, adjacent to the edge of the saltmarsh and spruce forest. I ~J The surrounding waters are shallow. The bottom is sand. Good anchorages are found along all sides of the island depending on the direction of wind. Because of its easy access, visits by summer boaters are frequent. Several foot paths encircle the island. It appeared that human use was mostly restricted to the beaches.

-·16--· 1 Pond Is. cont. I Th~eats: Human visits du~ing the nesting season pose a haza~d to nesting Eide~s. Potential damage could ~esult f~om fi~e. The fo~est is showing evidence of extensive windfall, adding la~ge amounts of d~ied wood. Extensive use by picnicke~s' heighten the chance fo~ fi~e.

Pe~ceived Value Fo~ Colonial Wate~bi~d: Low.

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-17- Island: Heart Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-811 Quadrangle: Deer Isle, west i i Size: 2 acres. i· Cover Type: Three-quarters wooded (White Spruce) the remainder in grass field. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no buildings, future allowances of 1 house and associated buildings. Survey Date: 5/15/85; 1030 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat census.

Historical Account: None Found.

Description: Heart Island is a high (elev. 60 ft.), steep sided island, located approximately 250 yards west of Deer Isle, 0.5 miles north of Northwest Harbor. A grass meadow is situated on the southwest quarter of the island and the remaining three-quarters is forested with spruce. Its close pro)-:imity to Deer Isle B.llows for easy access by "mainland" predators. No nesting colonial waterbirds are present. No obvious signs of recent human use were evident. Good anchorages are located on the east side, between Deer Isle and the island.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

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-.-:1 D-'" Island: Chato Is. Me. Reg. #:59-754 Quadrangle: Blue Hill Size: 5 acres. Cover Type: Spruce Forest. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: No building allowed. Survey Date: 5/16/85; 0700 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Chato Island is located 0.25 miles off shore, forming the breakwater to Brooklin's Center Harbor. It is a low (}20 ft elev.) granite island that supports a dense stand of 40-60 ft. tall spruce with a small component of White Birch and Trembling Aspen. Because of its proximity to Brooklin's boat facilities and easy access it is a frequently used picnic site. There are three small sand beaches on the east side and one sand beach on the south ! i side. A wide granite shoreline affords easy travel around the island. The island is inappropriate for nesting seabirds ~s a result of its closeness to the mainland and likely visitation by predators such as Raccoon, Mink and Red Squirrel. The tall trees, however, could be used as nesting sites for Osprey.

Threats: Fire and damage done by picnickers posses a threat to the islands trees. No other problem was detected.

J Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbird: None.

-19- Island:West To~~ey Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-758 Quadrangle: Blue Hill / Size: 25 acres Cover Type: Grass and Tall Shrubs, with small component of ha~dwood and softwood t~ees. O\.-

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 390 male, 129 female, est. 175 pro Black-backed Gull 10 indv. doubt nesting Herring Gull 390 indv. est 20 pro nesting.

Method: Boat Census.

Historical Account: Common Eider 75 p~. 1977, Ko~schgen. Black-backed Gull 5 p~. 1977, Ko~schgen. Herring Gull Active Colony, 1947, Gross 20 p~. 1977, Ko~schgen.

Desc~iption: West Torrey Island is situated in the easte~n entrance to Eggemoggin Reach. It lies app~oximately 1.5 miles south of Brooklin, Maine. It is a th~ee-quate~ mile long narrow island, t~ending east/west. It was ~ecently clear of trees and now a dense sh~ub g~owth has colonized. Less than twelve 30 ft. tall bi~ch a~e established on the northwest .--) side. The vegetation is predominantly sh~ubs (alder, baybe~~y, ~ose, elde~be~~y, etc.). A few small sp~uce a~e i present along the no~th shore. Small fields comprised of 1 he~baceous plant types is p~esent on the west and easte~n ends of the island. The surrounding waters appear fai~ly p~oductive. Along the western end, between the island and To~~ey Castle, a ledge located one-qua~ter of mile offsho~e, la~ge numbers of cormo~ants, eide~s and gulls we~e seen feeding. The majo~ity ot' roosting and nesting bi~ds we~e found on the weste~n end of the island, utilizing a g~anite headland. Sixty.female eiders we~e seen on sho~e in this I i a~ea, within a 75 X 75 y~d. field. An additional 65 female I I . .1 eide~s we~e counted on sho~e f~om this headland, west along the southe~n sho~e. (see map). A total of 390 mal e ei ders we~e seen both on and adjacent to the island. Estimates of number of pai~s are ~ough. Seve~al brooding females we~e likely hidden in the sh~ubs and missed. A conse~vative estimate would app~oximate 175 nests. Significantly larger than Korschgen's 1977 estimate of 75 pai~s.

-20-' West Torry Is. cont.

Many roosting gulls were counted on the island. On the eastern end, along a gravel bar that connects West Torrey to East Torrey Island, 300-325 Herring Gulls were seen roosting. An additional 100 Herring Gulls were counted along the length of the southern shore. Nesting gulls were observed in the areas around the western headland and in scattered groups at the edge of the shrub line along the southern shore. No obvious signs of recent human activity were detected. Good anchorages, with a mud holding ground are located on the north side of the island. Easy landing can be made most anywhere along this shore.

Threats: Because of location and easy access it is likely human visits during the eider nesting season occur. This island should be posted and visits restricted during the nesting season. The large size of the island should allow both nesting and humans use, if human activity is restricted to the eastern half of the island.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate to High

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1~~6' £J.C( , he.-. o~'hl..ut. 17.- ~ t:'.ie. S~'" ,,'t")I...... t

1 J Island:East Torrey Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-758 Quadrangle: Blue Hill Size: 15 acres Cover Type: Wooded, 95% spruce. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no structures, future allowances 3 houses, 1 pier and marine railway_ Survey Date: 5/16/85; 0830

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None. 1 . Method: Boat Census. I Historical Account: None found. Description: I East Torrey Island is located 1.25 miles off Center I Harbor in Brooklin, Maine. It is connected to East Torrey I Island by a 200 yard long submerged gravel bar located at the southwestern end of the island. The island is triangular in shape. A small ( 1 acre) old field is present on the northern corner above a sand beach. A second beach is located on the furthest western point below a small field covered with dense raspberry. The ~redominant vegetation type consisted of a 30-40 ft. tall, spruce forest. Due to the lack of birds associated to the island, we did not land. No further information is known for small mammals or human activity.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low--consideration should be given in combination with West Torrey Island.

-23- Island: Little Babson Is. Me. Reg. #:59-920 Quadrangle: Blue Hill Size: 16 acres. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: now 1 house and 3 associated structures I , future allowances, 1 house ~( assoc·'. I : structures ! Survey Date: 5/15/85; 1600 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Little Babson Island is located .75 miles west of Naskeget Point, Brooklin, Me., at the eastern entrance to Eggemoggin Reach. The island is 200 yards west of Babson Island. Presently it is occupied in the summer by a family. One large house, several outbuildings, a dock and field are maintained. No seabirds were seen associated to the island. Thus, no further investigations were carried out

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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1 '---24-- j Island: Babson Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-921 Quadrangle: Blue Hill Size: 22.04 acres Cover Type: 50% wooded (Spruce & Birch), 50% field. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: No structures except for sheep. Survey Date: 5/15/85; 1500 hrs.

E;pecies: Number Pro Nesting Common Ei der­ 2 nests Osprey 1 pro

Method: Walked periphery of island.

Historical Account: None found

Description: Babson Island is located 0.5 miles west of Naskeget Point, Brooklin, Me., at the eastern entrance to Eggemoggin Reach. It is a rectangular island, trending east/west. The shoreline is a mixture of boulders and sand. A steep bank ascends from highest tide line to a hilly plateau (el ev. 30 ft.). Recently timber has been cut in the center portion of the island. In the cleared portions a lush growth of Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and Hayscented Fern (Denstaedtia punctilabula) has "seedE'~d" in. Along the shoreline, a 30-50 ft. wide band of trees was left untouched. On the north shore trees were spruce, Aspen and Yellow Birch. On the south facing shore, open to the sea, the trees were predominantly White Spruce with a few White Bi rch. I n the center of southE'rn shore, ina dead spruce a pair of Osprey have recently built a nest. A second larger i I nest was found blown down close by. Below the Osprey, two ! I female eiders were flushed from their nests. l J A small lean too, possibly meant for sheep, has been constructed on the southern shore, in the trees. Several 1 foot paths cross the island. Signs of Raccoon, Deer, and I Red 5qu~rrel were noted. Good anchorages with mud bottom, is located on the north side of the island.

Threats: The Osprey is easily flushed and driven off the nest by visitors. Posting and discussions with the owners I may limit potential harm to the pair's breeding J perfor·mance.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low.

[-1", .. J

--- r-',.. ::. r::-,.-"'-' Island:Hog Island Me. Reg. #:59-929 Quadrangle: Blue Hill I Size: 70 acres. Cover Type: Wooded (90% spruce). Ownership/Status: Private: 1 easement. Restrictions: No structures, except tents Survey Date: 5/15/85; 0915 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 1 active nest, SSW corner.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Hog Island is located at the eastern entrance to Eggemoggin Reach. It is a large, irregular shaped, granite island; separated from Naskeget Point, Brooklin, Me., by a 3/4 mile wide bay. Its large size and short distance to the mainland evidently discourages nesting habitat for seabirds. As a result we did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

1 .I

1 -26- Island: Eastern Mark Is. Me. Reg. #:59-956 Quadrangle: Deer Isle, NE Si:z e: ", 15 aD-"es? Cover Type: Mixed spruce & birch Ownership/Status: Private, easement. Restrict.ions:? Survey Date:5/16/85; 1000 hrs.

SpeciE~s: Number Pro Nesting: (Jsr:.lI'-E",y 2 acti \/e nests.

Method~ Boat Census.

Historical Account: None Found.

Description: Eastern Mark Island lies 1.25 miles ESE of Stinson Neck, Deer Isle, Me., at the eastern entrance to the Deer Isle Thorofare. It is a low (elev. (30 ft.) round, granite, island that supports a mixed spruce-birch (60:40) forest. The soils are thin, predominantly peat. Several dead but still standing spruce are located tht-oughout the forest. One "blowdown" area is present in the south-west corner. In the central portion of the island a 30-40ft. tall stand of white birch is established. Undergrowth is comprised of spruce regeneration and a dense herbaceous growth. Two osprey nests are established on the north-west and southern points, both in 30-35 ft. tall dead spruce. No indication of human use was observed. Anchorages: poor, lacking good holding ground. [. Threats: The forest is becoming increasingly more susceptible to fire. Picnit fires should be discouraged. Posting and discussions with island owner about osprey nests may improve their breeding performance.

i Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None. ! " ~ j Island: Sheep Is. Me. Reg. #:59-953 Quadrangle: Deer Isle NE / Size: 54 acres Cover Type: Forested ({95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private (individuals?)/ 2 easements? Restrictions: Forever Wild/ No structures.? Survey Date: 7/5/85

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 5 active nests. Great Blue Heron 8-10 active nests

Method: Ground Survey.

Historical Account: Great Bl ue Het-on 5 pro 1977, Korschgen.

Description: Sheep Island is located 0.75 miles east of Whitmore Neck, Deer Isle, Maine. It is a smooth sloping granite island (elev. 80ft) with a dense 40-50ft. tall, "even-aged" spruce forest. The soils are shallow and high in peat. Many dead trees are present and an extensive blowdown area is evident along the southern central portion of the island. A thick understory of young spruce exists where the canopy is breaking up. Nesting Osprey were seen on the east, north and west sides of the island. Great Blue Herons nests were seen on the east end in the tops of a deteriorating stand of 40 ft tall spruce. On June 5, the contents of five nests were seen: 1 with 2 chicks, 2 with 1 chick, and 2 empty. Human activity on the island was evident in the north west corner. A small picnic/camping area and sign, reading "Private Island, No Camping without Permission" marks the site. Anchorages offshore are poor: hard bottom.

Threats: Fire and continued windfall pose a hazard to the tree nesting species. Regeneration of the forest, however, appears good, reducing this threat. Due to the accumulating dead biomass on the island, no fires should be permitted during dry seasons.

Percefved Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate; no other Great Blue Heron colonies are known in the immediate area.

* Conflicting reports about whether Acadia NPS holds easement to this property were indicated after surveying. There are several Sheep Islands in the area. We present, this information with the hope that further investigation will resolve location and easement status.

--~28·-- Island: Spruce Island Me. Reg. #: 59-974 Quadrangle: Deer Isle NE / Size: 50 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce). Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. r:.­ Restrictions: Presently 1 stucture; future allowances: ...J houses and associated structures. Survey Date: 5/16/85; 1330 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Acccount: None found.

Description: Spruce Island is located 2 miles SE of Whitmore Neck, Deer Isle. It is a high (elev. 127 ft.) granite island with thin soils and a dense 30-40 ft. tall spruce forest. On the eastern and south sides several treeless patches of exposed smooth pink granite occur along steep hill slopes. Human presence consisted of a mooring and summer camp on the east side, and an old stone pier on the west side. Since no seabirds were seen on the island, no further investigations were made.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

--29---

,:.~. : ::.'. Island: Shabby Is. Me. Reg. #:59-996 Quadrangle: Deer Isle NE Size: 11 acres Cover Type: Grass and low herbaceous vegetation. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no structures, allowances for 1 tent platform. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 0845 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 5 nests, 62 males. Black-backed Gull 45 nests, 60 indv. Herr· i ng Gull 205 nests, 430 indv. Double-crested Cormorant 69 nests. Black Guillemot 27 i ndv.

Method: Boat Census.

Historical Account: Common Eider 1 pro 194:::::; I"1endall. 75 pro 1977; Korschgen. Black-backed Gull 15 pro 1965-73; Drury. 40 pro 1977; Korschgen. Hert- i ng Gull Active Colony 1940,'44,'45;Gros~ 109 pro 1946; Gross. 300 pro 1965-73; Drury. 200 pro 1977; Korschgen. D. C. Cormorant 150 pro 1965-73; Drury. 116 pro 1977; Korschgen. "Black Guillemot 15 pro 1965-73; Drury. 3 pro 1977; Korschgen.

Description: Shabby Island is located 1.5 miles south of Stinson Neck, Deer Isle. It is a low (elev. 24 ft.) granite island, with extensive exposed rock shorelines and tidal ledges. In the upper central portion of the island a thick layer of soil supports. rich assemblages of herbaceous vegetation. In the past~the island supported spruce trees, now only stumps remain. Nesting occurr~d thrpughoutthe island. For general locations of nesting species, see map. In addition to those nesting, our survey also recorded 40-45 Brant feeding on the island, and several hundred Purple Sandpipers roosting; apparently this island is a favored stop over for migrating coastal birds. Human use was not evident. There are no good anchorages off the island which discourages visitors. One sign was posted on the island but, it is faded and illegible.

Threats: No immediate problems; human visitation during the nesting season would pose a hazard. Due to the island's small size any persistent use would likely cause birds to abandon.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate, locally high. 1 ·····~::.o--· ! CT '."---'-.'" Ht",,! ".3 alvi '---c:>G.-e E{o.cK-bo.c.KeA. C::::J Crow ~ G-vtls /1 cJ J o

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C) MClrk L I. 'Q!J ~ ~~ Bare I. 6>Ram I. • • -.. (£/ John I. D lf~t, Helena l. ~ .---'---' ~Farrell~ I. Geo~e~~J.0 t""\ ~ ./ • y.Scra!J~y _____ .---.....I. .' 0 ." Wreck I "'2. . · ./ "'"" , .'-.. j,;{-rr'O/YLJ ~.~ ~ c'a' OLIt-tle M'GI / '- / .c:;!J... S'. .' Round I athery 1/' "- .' jyjid~.L.·:LL1 ~~ ~ ~~ '/«6///'-~f;i·l M'Glalhery I . p"rrow 1_.---- f '--.... . ,7. .)(0)1Goose

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None Found.

Description: Gooseberry Island is located 1.9 miles north of Isle Au Haut, at the eastern entrance to Merchant Row. It is a low island (elev. (20 ft.), with a wide, gently sloping, granite shoreline. In the center i~ a sparse spruce forest over a shallow layer of peat and mineral soil. No colonial waterbirds were seen. Eiders were noted feeding in the area. Mink are known to occupy islands in the vicinity and thus probably discourages ground nesting. Due to the small size and poor anchorages around the island it is not visited often by humans.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Seabirds: None.

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-~~­~L Island: Pell Is. Me. Reg. #: 63-215 Quadrangle: Isle Au Haut Size: 20 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: presently no structures; future allowances, 3 houses, accessory buildings, and dock facilit.iE's. Survey Date: 5/16/85; 1600 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 1 active nest.

Method: Ground survey.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Pell Island is located 0.5 miles north of Isle Au Haut. It is densely forested with 40-50 ft. tall spruce. Its bedrock is granite, with beaches located on the north and southwest corners. . The forest is beginning to undergo severe windfall. A large blowdown area is located on the southwest side. Young spruce saplings are regenerating in this area. Many mammals were seen on the island: Red Squirrel, Mink, Deer and Voles (Mi crotus sp.). An Osprey nest is located on the north shore, 50 yards west of the beach, in a 30 ft.. dead spruce. Human activity on the island took the form of an old, uncompleted, log cabin, and one Indian midden on the south west side. Several paths criss cross the island.

I Threats: Accumulating windthrow is increasing fire hazards. I' I No fires above the shore should be permitted through the summer.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

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..... ::;:=:...... Island: Burnt Is. Me. Reg. #:63-271 Quadrangle: Isle Au Haut / Size: 62 acres Cover Type: Wood and field (80:20 resp.). Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: presently 5 buildings, future additions of 2 houses and accessory structures. Sheep grazing allowed. Survey Date: 5/15/85; 1700 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found

Description: Burnt Island is located 0.3 miles north of Isle Au Haut. It is a granite based island with a den~e spruce forest and approximately 20 acre field on the east end. As a result of Mink and Red Squirrel living on the island it is unsuitable for ground nesting seabirds. Thus no extensive investigations of the island was made.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

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" -34-

J Island: Little Spoon Is. Me. Reg. #: 63-298 Quadrangle: Deer Isle SE Size~ 12 acres Cover Type: Shrub and herbaceous veg. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: Presently no houses, future allowances of 1 house, dock and accessory buildings Survey Date: 6/12/85

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider present Black-backed Gull 365 indv. Herr- i ng Gull present Double-crested Cormorant 35 pr Great Cormorant 38 pro Black Guillemot 100 indv.

Method: Boat census

Historical Account: Common Eider breeding 1941-43, Gross 6 pro 1943, Mendall ~200 nests 1965-73, Drury 30 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull prob. nesting 1916, Norton 20 pro 1965-73, Drury 50 pro 1977, Korschgen Herring Gull 50-75 pro 1901, Dutcher 1200 indv. 1931, Norton active colony 1940'45'46, Gross 50 pro 1962, Drury 150 pro 1965-73, Drury 75 pro 1977, Korschgen D. C. Cormorant 38pr. 1983, Folger, un.publ. GrE'at Cormorant 22 pro 1983, Folger, un.publ. 16 pro 1984, Folger, un. publ. Black Guillemot 30 pro 1965-73, Drury 15 pro 1977~ Korschgen 'i J ~'Leach . s Petrel small colony 1900, Drury Common Ter-n 8-10 pro 1899, Knight active colony 1904, Norton Terns active colony 1885, Norton 2 pro 1903, Dutcher

Description: Little Spoon Island is located 1.5 miles east southeast of Isle Au Haut, in Jericho Bay. It is a long, narrow, granite island with a veqetation consisting of low woody plants (Raspberry, Juniper,) and lush grasses and herbaceous vegetation. Nesting gulls were seen dispersed over the entire island. Cormorants were restricted to a single group located in the northwest corner of the island. The colony of Great Cormorant is the largest of 5 known

-:r r:::- -.- -.':' ... J -_. Little Spoon Is. cant. / colonies in the United States; the other four being on neighboring Great Spoon Island, White Horse Island and Spirit Ledge, and on the Weepecket Island in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (Hatch & Drury, 1985). Indications of recent human activity was not apparent. Fair to Poor anchorages are located on the northeast side of the island. Landing is fair to poor.

Threats: Human use during the nesting season would be detrimental to nesting species. Access should be limited during the nesting season.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate.

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I: I i ! J Island: Great Spoon Is. Me. Reg. #: 63-287 Quadrangle: Deer Isle BE Size: 50 acres Cover Type: Grass and Herbaceous VegA Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: allowances for houses and boat facilities. Survey Date: 6/15/85; 1100 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting Common Eider 100+ pro Black-backed Gull 125-140 pr, 280 indv. Herring Gull 375-400 pro 525 indv. Double-crested Cormorant 25 pro Great Cormorant 20 pro Black Guillemot 25+ indv. Arctic Tern 4 pro Common Tern 10 pro Leach's Petrel Present

Method: Boat survey and ground est.

Historical Account: Common Eider nesting 1941-43, Gross 40-50 pro 1965, Mendall 500 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 24 pr 1944, Gross 15 pro 1965-73, Drury 50 pro 1977, Korschgen Herring Gull 200-300 pro 1899, Knight 75 pro 1962, Drury 175 pro 1965-73, Drury 750 pro 1977, Korshgen D.C. Cormorant 75 pro 1965-73, Drury 60 pro 1977, Korschgen 20 pro 1983, Folger un.publ. Great Cormorant 11 pro 1983, Folger un.publ. 10 pro 1984, Folger un.publ. I Black Guillemot 50 pro 1965-73, Drury 15 pro 1977, Korshgen Common Tern active colony 1918-20, Norton I . Arctic Tern 15 pro 1965-73, Drury J 15 pro 1977, Korschgen 30 pro 1984, Folger et.al. 1984 Leach's Petrel present 1903, Dutcher 5 burrows, 1973, Drury present 1977, Korschgen

I ' Description: ,I ,I Great Spoon Island is located 2 miles east of Isle Au Haut, in Jericho Bay. It is a large, rugged island with variable topography and an elevation of 94 ft. Its bedrock ] is predominantly composed of pink granite. There are no trees, and the predominant vegetation is a lush array of grasses and herbaceous vegetation.

il -38- J Great Spoon Is. cont. / For detailed locations of nesting see map. Population trends over the last 15 years indicate for gulls and cormorants that nesting has increased substantially. Reasons why are unknown. Inadequate information has been collected to evaluate the status of eiders and guillemots on the island. It appears their numbers have remained low throughout the century. Arctic Terns have traditionally nested on the island in small numbers throughout the last 15 years. In 1984 and 1985, this colony failed to fledge any chicks, and it disbanded early as a result of gull encroachment. In contrast, the small colony of Common Terns that nested on the north end fledged approximately 10 chicks in 1985. Additionally, we found that this colony increased to roughly 60 pairs in late July; this increase was apparently a result of re-nesting by Common Terns that were first seen nesting on near by islands, off Swan's Island, but were later forced to move presumably because of gull predation. Human activity on the island is minimal. Occasional picnickers use the island; the Hurricane Outward Bound School at times camps and arranges solo expeditions for stUdents. Good anchorages are located on the north shore,. landing is good.

Threats: Human use during the nesting season is harmful to resident nesters'. Access should be limited during the nesting season and camping not allowed until after August 1 'st •.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate to High. Island: Hat Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-412 Quadrangle: Deer Isle NE / Size: 14 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no buildings, future allowance 1 house and accessory structures. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 0745 hrs.

Species Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat Census.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Hat Island is located 0.4 miles south of West Point, Swan's Island. It is a tall (elev. 110 ft.) dome shaped island with thin soils. The trees are a dense growth of spruce. Wide expanses of pink granite are exposed on the southern half of the island. No seabirds were seen around the island and further investigations were not carried out.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

il, I I- I J

--40-- Island:Buckle Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-375 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: 20 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Three houses present, future accessory building allowed. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1200 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Buckle Island is located 0.3 miles NW. of Swans Island, along Buckle Harbor and Seal Cove. The vegetation is a dense spruce forest. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. We past to the west, north and east sides and saw no indications of nesting. Given its close proximity to Swans Island it is likely that small mammals are present and therefore discourages ground nesting seabirds. We did _ not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

1 ---41--- J Island: Duck Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-385 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: ? acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: One house present, no future building all m·~ed. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1200 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Duck Island is located 0.3 miles WNW. of Swans Island, along Buckle Harbor and Seal Cove. The surrounding waters are shallow and difficult to navigate. The vegetation consists of a dense spruce forest. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. We passed to the west and north sides and saw no indications of nesting. Given its close proximity to Swans Island it is likely that small mammals are present and therefore discourages ground nesting seabirds. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

I

---lj.:z---- Island: Opechee Is. Me. Reg. #:59-350 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: ? acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement Restrictions: Presently no structures, future no more than 1 house per 15 acre. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1245 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Opechee Island is located 1.4 miles N. of Swans Island, on Casco Passage. It is a spruce covered island with a small field and house on the southern central portion of the island. Historically the island supported a farm. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. The surrounding waters are shallow, rocky and difficult to navigate. We past to the south and west and saw no indications of nesting. Given its location between Swans Island and Naskeget Point it is likely that small mammals are present. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

-43- Island:O~ono Is. Me. Reg. #:59-354 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: 30 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions~ Presently no structures, future 1 house and accessory structures. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1300 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Orono Island is located 0.3 miles N. of Swans Island, along Casco Passage. Historically it was a granite quarry, and a stone pier still exists on the no~thern side of the island. The vegetation is now a dense forest of spruce. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. We passed to the north of the island and saw no indications of nesting. Given its close proximity to Swans Island, it is likely that small mammals are present and therefo~e discourage ground nesting seabirds. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

',:i

-44- Island: John's Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-351 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW / Size: 15 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: presently no houses; future allowances for 1 house per 15 acres. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1230 hrs.

Species: Number Pr.Nesting: None.

Method: Boat, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: John's Island is located 1 mile N. of Swans Island, off the western entrance to Casco Passage. It is a large spruce covered island and historically supported a farm. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. The waters around the island are rocky and difficult to navigate. We passed to the south and west ends and saw no indications of nesting. Given its size and location between Swans Island and Naskeget Point it is likely that small mammals are present. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-45- Island: Black Is. Me. Reg. #:59-352 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW ~ Size: 81 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no structures, future no more than 1 house per 15 acre. Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1130 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey, partial investigation.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Black Island is located 1 mile N. of Swans Island, on Casco Passage. It is a large spruce covered island Historically the island supported a farm(s). No nesting seabirds have been reported on the island. We motored past and saw no indications of nesting. Given its size and location between Swans Island and Naskeget Point it is likely that small mammals are present. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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11 I J

-46- Island: Pond & Lamp Is(s). Me. Reg. #:59-347 Quadrangle: Swans Is. NW ~~ 59-346 Size: 246 acres Cover Type: Mixed (mixed spruce, hardwood & field) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently?, future allowances 6 houses with associated structures. Survey Date: not applicable

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: not applicable.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Pond Island is located 2 miles ESE of Naskeget Pt. Brooklin. It is a large island with fields, forests and shrub meadows. Historically the island supported several farms. No nesting seabirds are reported on the island. We motored past and saw no indications of nesting. Given its size, historical use as a farm, and location between Swans Island and Naskeget Point it is likely that small mammals are present. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-",4/-,- Island: Round Is. Me. Reg. #:59-360 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: 8.5 acres Cover Type: Wooded (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement?? Restrictions: Presently 5 structures, future building all m';led. Survey Date: not investigated.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method:

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Round Island is located 0.5 miles NE of Swans Island, in Mackerel Cove. It is a spruce covered island. No nesting -i seabirds were reported. Given its close proximity to Swans Island and several houses it is not a suitable nesting I island. We did not land and investigate further.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

I I 1.1

1 I Island:Ship Is. Me. Reg. #:59-341 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: 15 acres Cover Type: Shrub and herbaceous vegetation' Ownership/Status:The Nature Conservancy;propdsed acquistion , ! Restrictions: ? Survey Date: 5/17/85; 1430 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 175 males,100+ pro Black-backed Gull 125-150 pro Herring Gull 300-350 pro

Method: Boat survey and ground investigation.

Historical Account: I I Common Eider 0 nesting, 1952, Mendall I 2 pr 1966, Mendall 300 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 75 pro 1965-73, Drury 500 pro 1977, Korshgen (ground est.) Herring Gull Active Colony 1947, Gross 3 pro 1966, Mendall 50 pro 1965-73, Drury 50 pro 1977, Korschgen D.C. Cormorant Active Colony 1947, Gross 450 pro 1965-73, Drury 440 pro 1977, Korschgen (nest count) Black Guillemot 4 pro 1965-73 Drury Common Tern Active Colony 1904, Norton 600 pro 1943, Norton Arctic Tern few pro 1895, Knight. J Active 1898, Norton. few pro 1899, Knight. Terns 150 pro 1899, Knight Active Colony 1900, Norton

Description: Ship Island is located 2 miles WSW of Dix Point, West Tremont, M.D. I •. It is a squarish shaped island composed of one large glacial till deposit. It is the furthest SE of a chain of four islands that extend through the center of Blue Hill Bay. From the north gravel beach the elevation gradually rises to 40 ft. tall bluffs on the southeastern 1 shore. The vegetation is predominantly thick low woody J shrubs (Bayberry, Rose, and Raspberry etc.) with a lower proportion of grasses. Nesting was found throughout the island. Black-backed Gulls were concentrated along the northwest, west and southwest shore. Herring Gulls were densest in the lower

~49- Ship Islandcont. I western central portion of the island and were widely dispersed throughout the rest of the meadow. 75-100 pairs of Herring Gulls were nesting on the south facing bluffs. Eiders were found nesting throughout the higher sections of the island. We did not conduct a nest count due to the disturbance we would have inflicted. Instead we rely on Korschgen's number to reflect the islands population. We found no suggestion that this estimate is not accurate. However, a significant drop in nesting Black-backed Gulls and relocation of the Double-crested Cormorant colony has occured between the time of his and our counts. Human use of the island appeared small. Good day anchorages are located on the northwest side.

Threats: Posting should be carried out, landing during the nesting season should be discouraged.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Mod-high.

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[1 .J Island: Trumpet Is. Me. Reg #:59-340 Quadrangle: Swans Island NW Size: 12.5 acres Cover Type: Woody shrub and herbaceous vegetation Ownership/Status:The Nature Conservancy;proposed acquisit.ion Restri ct.i ons:? Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1000 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 255 males, 60 females est. 70+ nests. Black-backed Gull 5()-55 pr" Herring Gull 35-40 pro Double-crested Cormorant 150-160 pro

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: Common Eider 3 pro 1895, Knight. 6-25 pro 1965, Mendall. 150 pro 1977, Korschgen. Black-backed Gull 10 pro 1965-73, Drury. 50 pro 1977, Korschgen. Herring Gull 50 indv. 1967, Mendall. 75 pro 1965-73, Drury. 50 pro 1977, Korschgen. D.C. Cormorant Active Colony 1967, Mendall. Common Tern 300 pro 1899, Knight. 1000 pro 1931, Palmer. Arctic Tern o pro 1896, Knight. Active Colony 1898, Norton. few nesting 1899, Knight. Terns Active Colony 1885, Norton.

Description: Trumpet Island is located 2 miles W of Dix Point, West j Tremont, M.D. I .. It is a long narrow island situated in the middle of Blue Hill Bay and is part of a chain of glacial till derived islands of which Ship, Bar and Tinker Island(s) are a part. The vegetation is predominantly low ~oodV shrubs (Rose, Bayberry, Raspberry, and Elder) with dune grass vegetation established along the shorelines and berms on the northwest side. Nesting was evident throughout the island. Concentrations of gulls were noted along the western shore, associated to the berm. The majority of eiders were seen along the northern end. However, nesting was likely throughout the upper portions of the island. Double-crested Cormorants were nesting in two groups on the east side of 1 the island. They were restricted to the edge of the j vegetated portion, behind the eastern berm. It is believed that the recent increase of cormorants on this island is a result of relocation of the cormorant colony from neighboring Ship Island. Korschgen reported 440 pairs on Ship Island in 1977.

=~, ..- ,._.1 ..::' _.- Trumpet Island cont. / Human use of the island appeared to be minimal. Good ancorages are located on the western shore. The surrounding waters are rocky and shallow, therefore discouraging deep drafted vessels.

Threats: Human visits during the nesting season would disrupt nesting. Posting should be carried out and human access limited during the nesting season.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate-high.

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-53- Island: The Hub Me. Reg. #:59-220 Quadrangle: Mount Desert Island SW / Size: 1 acr-e. Cover Type: Predominantly woody shr-ubs, 1 spruce tree. Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement. Restrictions: "Forever Wild" Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1500 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Black-backed Gull 1 pr-.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found.

Description: The Hub is located at the norther-n end of Bartlett Island, M.D.I. It is a small gr-anite island suppor-ting a dense growth of shrubs( Bayber-r-y, Rose, Juniper)and one 15 ft. tall spr-uce tr-ee. Its small size and pr-ivate owner-ship discourages extensive use by humans. One pair of Blacked-backed Gulls was seen in the center- of the island. 30-45 Harbor Seals were observed hauled out at low tide on the island's inter-tidal ledges.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Water-bir-ds: Low

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I Island: The Ledges. Me. Reg. #:59-226 Quadrangle: Mount Desert Island SW / Size: 1.5 acres. Cover Type: Granite Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Pe~,trictions: "Forever "'hId". Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1430 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat Census.

Historical Account: None Found.

Descr- i pt. ion: The ledges are located in Bartlett Island Narrows, approximately 0.2 miles between M.D.I. and Bartlett Island. They are a series of low «10 ft tall) bare granite ledges. They offer roosting sites for gulls in the area. Due to their close proximity to the mainland it is not used as a nesting site. Human use on the island was not apparent.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

1 I --·54-- Island: Birch Island Me. Reg. #:59-228 Quadrangle: Mount Desert Island SW I Size: 3 acre. Cover Type: Predominantly forested (60:40, birch to spruce) . Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement. Restrictions: "Forever Wild" Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1400 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Birch Island is located 0.7 miles W. of Pretty Marsh Harbor, M.D.I. It is a small granite island supporting a dense tree growth of birch and spruce. It is connected to Bartlet Island by a low tide gravel bar. Due to its association with Bartlett Island, small mammals have access to the island, rendering it unsuitable for nesting seabirds. Its small size and private ownership discourage~ extensive use by humans.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

I! Island: John's Island Me. Reg. #:59-231 Quadrangle: Mount Desert Island SW I Size: 1 acre. Cover Type: Tree and Shrubs Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement. Restrictions: "Forever Wild" Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1400 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 2 male, 3 female, nesting likely. Black-backed Gull 2 pr .. HeFTi ng Gull 1 pro (possible).

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found.

Description: John's Island is located 0.3 miles W of Pretty Marsh Harbor, M.D. I. , between West Point and Bartlet Island. It -JI is a small granite island supporting a dense growth of low woody shrubs and approximately 20 Quaking Aspen trees. Due to its small size and difficult access it is not extensively visited by humans.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low.

-~:;6···- Island: Hardwood Island Me. Reg. #:59-236 Quadrangle: Mount Desert Island SW Size: 205 acres Cover Type: Field and Forest. Ownership/Status: Private; 1 easement. Restrictions: presently 2 houses, garage, boathouse, & dock future allowances, 2 houses & accessory structures. Survey Date:

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Great Blue Heron 52 nests reported.

Method: ground count

Historical Account: Great Blue Heron 60 pro 1977, Korschgen.

Description: Hardwood Island is located 1.2 miles WNW of Seal Cove, M.D. I .. It is a large island supporting a mixed spruce hardwood forest. A 20-25 acre field is located on the east side of the island. Along the edges of this field several houses, a barn and docking facility have been built. The island is the base for the Hardwood Island Biological Station, a summer science camp offered to high school students. The Heronry is located at the northern end of the island (not visible from the water). Each year the biological station monitors the breeding success of the heronry. Peter Blanchard, instructor at the station, reported 52 nests in 1985 with relatively poor breeding success due to rain and cold weather. Due to the large size of the island and the biological stations monitoring program, we did not carry out any further survey_ Continued communication with .. the Hardwood Island Biological Station would be of value for future monitoring of the herons' status.

Threats: None known.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate-High; the rookery is one of the few large colonies known in the area.

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-57- Island: Moose Island Me. Reg. #:59-237 Quadrangle: Mount Desert sw. Size: 44 acres Cover Type: Mixed forest (spruce) and field. Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement. Restrictlons:presently no structures, future allowances for 1 house and accessory buildings Survey Date: 5/19/85; 1200 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey and ground investigati6n.

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Moose Island is located 0.25 miles off the western shore of Mount Desert Island and 0.5 miles NW of Seal Cove, M.D. I .. It is connected to M.D.I. at low tide by a gravel bar on its eastern side. It once supported a farm. Extensive fields are present throughout the entire island, and a planted stand of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) has been included on the eastern side. Several trails criss-cross the island and recent human use was noted. Because of the islands connection to M.D.I. at low tide small mammals are present. Signs of raccoon, deer and possibly fox were noted. Such activity makes this island unsuitable for nesting seabirds.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-58- Island: Little Gott Is. Me Reg. #: 59-436 Quadrangle: Swans Island NE Size: 56 acre. Cover Type: Forested (95% spruce). Ownership/Status: Private; 2 easements. Restrictions:? Survey Date: 5/20/85; 0800 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat survey.

Historical Account: None found

Description: Little Gott Island is located 1.5 miles SW of Bass Harbor Head, M.D.I., and is separated from Gott Island, to the NE by 250 yard channel. It is a granite based island supporting a dense spruce forest. There is a single home on the north side along the channel. We found no seabirds associated to the island. Given its close proximity to Gott Island, Little Gott has probably received introductions of small mammals and other seabird predators; rendering the island as unsuitable for nesting.

Threats: None known; fire may pose a hazard

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-59- Island: Black Is. Me. Reg. #:59-437 Qwadrangle: Swans Island NE SiZE>: ~::A9 acr-es Cover Type: Forested (95% spruce). Ownership/Status: private; 2 easements (record discrepancy) Restrictions: presently 2 houses, future allowances 4 houses, 4 cabins, 1 float, & accessory structures. Survey Date: 5/20/85; 0830 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None (osprey?)

Method: Boat census

Historical Account: None found.

Descr-:i. pt ion: Black Island is located 3 miles SSW of Bass Harbor Head. It is the last large island of a line of islands formed by Gott, Little Gott and Placentia Island(s) that extends off the southwest corner of M.D. I .. It is a large granite based island supporting a dense and tall spruce forest. We passed to the North, East and South sides and detE>cted no nesting seabirds. Osprey and eagles frequent the area and might nest. We were unable to confirm this. Given its size and close association with Little Gott and Gott Island(s) Black Island probably supports sm~ll mammals.

Perceived Value For Colonial Seabirds: None 1

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-1 I j ·-60-- Island: Green Is. Me. Reg. #:59-446 Quadrangle: Swans Island NE Si ;~e: 5 acr-es Cover Type: Granite and Herbaceous Vegetation. Ownership/Status: Bureau of Public Lands; Proposed acquisition. F:estr-i cti ons:? Survey Date: 5/20/85; 0900 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 135 males, est 60-75 nests. Black-backed Gull 103 indv, 62 nests. Herring Gull 150 indv. 125 nests. Double-crested Cormorant 63 indv. 42 nests. Black Guillemot 20-25 indv. nesting.

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: CDmmon Eider 50 pro 1977, KDrschgen. .-,0:::- Black-backed Gull L.....J pro 1965-73, Drury. 30 pro 1977, Korschgen. Herring Gull 50 pro 1965-73, Drury. 20 pro 1977, Korschgen. D.C. Cormorant 90 pro 1965-73, Drury. 274 pro 1977. Korschqen. Black Guillemot 7-20 pro 1965-73, Drury. 5 pro 1977, Korschgen. i ! I I I Desct- i pt ion: Green Island is located 0.8 miles south of Black Island and 2 miles east of Swans Island. It is one of a group of three small isolated islands that is situated alonq the outer entrance into Blue Hill Bay. It is a fairly high island (elev. 47 ft.) with a bold shore on the south side and boulder beach on the north shore. The bedrock is granite with its summit located on the southwest corner of the island. Nesting occurred throughout the island; for details see map. Surveys conducted over the last 15 years indicate wide fluctuations in the D.C. Cormorant population, and a gradual increase in the islands gull population. From all accounts this island appears as a relatively healthy nesting island with an abundance of good feeding in the area. It is likely that increases in the nesting population will continue. Nearby Little Duck and its growing D.C. CormOI'--i:.int colony is probabl y cl osel y reI ated to the dramatic decrease of cormorants noted on the island since Korschgen's survey in 1977 . \ 1 . 1 No human activity was noted on the island. Anchorages are poor and landing difficult.

Threats: Human visits during the nesting season should be discouraged and posting carried out.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate. --61-- Little Duck ~ Black I.

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/ Island: Green Is. Ledge Me. Reg. #:59-445 Quadrangle: Swans Island NE

Size: -~.~= acre. Cover Type: Granite and Herbaceous Vegetation. Ownership/Status: Bureau of Public Lands; Proposed acquisition. Restrictions:? Survey Date: 5/20/85; 0900 hrs.

Species: Numbe~ Pro Nesting: Common Eider 4 males, 2-4 nests Black-backed Gull 56 indv.~ 33 nests Herring Gall 50indv., 38 nests Double-crested Cormorant 38 nests Black Guillemot 45-50 indv.

Method~ Boat Census

Historical Account: Common Eider 20 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 25 pro 1977, Korschgen Herring Gull not recorded D.C. Cormorant 125 pro 1977, Korschgen Black Guillemot 15 pro 1977, Korschgen

Description: Green Island Ledge is located 0.8 miles south of Black Island and 2.2 miles east of Swans Island. It is the middle island of a group of three small isolated islands that are situated along the outer entrance of Blue Hill Bay. It is a rugged island (elev. 35 ft.) with a bold shore on the south side and ledges along the north shore. The bedrock is granite. There are no trees, a few raspberry shrubs, and a lush growth of herbaceous plants. Nesting occurred throughout the island; for details see map. Surveys of this island and its associate, Green Island, conducted over the last 15 years indicate a decrease in the D.C. Cormorant population, and a gradual increase in the gull population. From all accounts this island appears as a relatively healthy nesting island with an abundance of good feeding in the area. It is likely that increases in the nesting population will continue. Nearby Little Duck and its growing D.C. Cormorant colony is I. probably closely related to the decrease of cormorants noted on the island since Korschgen's survey in 1977. No human activity was noted on the island. Anchorages are poor and landing difficult.

Threats: Human visits during the nesting season should be discouraged and posting be carried out.

/ Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate.

-63- Island: Drum Is. Me. Reg. #:59-444 Quadrangle: Swans Island NE Size: ~ 1 acre Cover Type: Granite Ownership/Status: Bureau of Public Lands; proposed acquisition. Restrictions:? Survey Date: 5/20/85; 0900 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting None

Method: Boat Cen~us

Historical Account: None found.

Description: Drum Island is located 0.8 miles south of Black Island and 2.4 miles east of Swans Island. It is the smallest of three islands known as the Green Islands. It is approximately 15 ft. high, supports no vegetation, and is used by seabirds as a roosting site only. Considerations of the islands ecology needs to involve nearby Green Island and Green Is. Ledge. Nesting birds on those islands use Drum Is. both as a roosting site and location for feeding. Numerous submerged ledges are in the area, affording high productivity for seabirds. Human use of the island is not evident. Anchorages are poor and landing extremely difficult.

Threats: None.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low-Moderate.

-64- Island: West Sister Is. Me. Reg. #:59-411 Quadrangle: Swans Island SE Sizf-2: !50 acrE~S" Cover Type: Forested (80% spruce) Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement Restrictions: Presently 1 house, future 1 house & accessory buildings. Survey Date: 5/20/85; 1100 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None.

Method: Boat cSnsus

Historical Account: None found.

Description: West Sister Island is located 0.5 miles east of Red Point, Swans Island. It is a granite island supporting a dense stand of spruce and birch. A small house is located on the northwest corner of the island, above a small pocket cobble beach. We circled the island and saw no evidence of nesting seabirds. We noted several portions of the forest were beginning to blowdown. In one old blowdown site a stand of birch had established.

Threats: Accumulating dead wood imposes a potential fire hazard.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None.

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--66- Island: Heron Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-480 Quadrangle: Swans Island SW Size: 50 acr-·E~S Cover Type: Shrub and Herbaceous Veg. Ownership/Status: Acadia NPS holding Restriction~;: ? Survey Date: 6/17/85; 1400 hrs.

Specie:-:;: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 150+ nesting, Black-backed Gull 50=10 pro Herring Gull 500=50 pro Bl ac k GL! ill E·mot. present

Method: Ground est.

Historical Account: Common Eider nesting 1965-73, Drury 200 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 20 pro 1965-73, Drury 75 pro 1977, Korschgen Herr-·i ng Gull numerous pro 1895, Knight 150 pro 1965-73, Drury 150 pro 1977, Korschgen Gulls 1000+ indv. 1903, Dutcher Black Guillemot 15 pro 1965-73, Drury 5 pro 1977, Korschgen Leach's Petrel nesting 1975, Miller G,.-t. Bl ue Her-on no nesting 1895, Knight active colony 1907, Norton Bl ac ~::·-cr-ownE~d Ni ght HE-!rc.m active colony 1907, Norton

Description: Heron Island is located 2 miles southwest of Swans Island and 1 mile southeast of Marshall Island. It is a low, flat island with the distinguishing feature of a dead spruce forest in the center of the island. The vegetation is predominantly grass and low forbs. Raspberry stands occur underneath the remnants of the spruce forest. Nesting occurs throughout the island. For general nesting areas, see map. The presence of Muskrat (Onadatra zibethica) was detected throughout the island~ This is unique to outer coa~5tal i sl anrjs and ~'Jar-Tants further study. It i s unkno~....,n how long the species has been a resident. Drury reports them being present in the late 1960's (Drury, pers. comm.). Their impact as a graz~r was noted in many areas. Evidence of human activities was minimal. Fair to poor anchorages are located on the north and west sides. Landing is fair to poor.

Threats: Access to the island during the nesting season should be limited.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate to High

-67- Ea.tiD' 1.

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o ~ /' /' /Harbor @ liH Ie Marsha II I. ! I ():30 0 Green I. I ~JohnS l. I I ~ . 0 I ~Heron I. "--...... I ~ I I i I l )I Island: Sutton Is. Me. Reg. #:59-269 Quadrangle: Mount Desert SE 8ize:( 150 acres Cover Type: Tree, Fields, Houses. Ownership/Status: Private indiv(s); several easements? Restrictions: Several Survey Date:

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 1 active Nest

Method:

Historical Account: This osprey nest site has been reported active since 1903. It may be even older (Capt. B. Bowman pers. comm.).

Description: Sutton Island is located 1 mile S. of Northeast Harbor, M.D.I .. It is a large island supporting several summer homes. On the NW corner a rock seastack, 25 yards offshore, has been used by several generations of Ospreys as a nesting platform. The nest has over the years has built up to considerable size. Summer Boaters often travel out to see the nest and the activities of the parents. Whether this is harmful to the nesting pair is unknown. Capt. Bob Bowman regularly checks the nest and has kept record of the breeding performance. No direct harm from human visits has been noted.

Threats: None, presently; further communication with residents and regular visitors to monitor breeding performance would insure mitigating potential problems when they arise.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low, for public appeal mod-high.

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1 -69- Island: Greening Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-268 Quadrangle: Mount Desert SE 5ize:< 100 acres Cover Type: Trees, Field & Houses. Ownership/Status: Private indv(s).; 5 easements Restrictions: See Acadia NPS easement files. Survey Date:

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None. Method:

Historical Account: None found

Description: Greening Island is located 0.3 miles E from Southwest Harbor, M.D.I. at the entrance to Somes Sound. It supports several homes and is unsuitable for nesting seabirds. No further investigations were made.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-70- Island: Little Duck Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-439 Quadrangle: Swans Island NE Size: 100 acres Cover Type: Field & Forest (95% spruce). Ownwership/Status: National Audubon Society Sanctuary; 1 easement. Restrictions: Presently no structures; no future structures except temporary for scientific, educational, or research purposes. Survey Date: 5/25/85; 0830 hrs.

Speci es: Number Pro Nesting: Common· Eider 720 males, # nesting? Black-backed Gull 250 on territory Herring Gull 560 on territory Double-crested Cormorant 165 nests, prob more Black Guillemot 280 indv. Leach's Petrel Not surveyed. Adequate surveys could not be done for most speceis due to the islands size, cover type and numerous species. Refer to previous census work in addition

Method~ Boat Census

Historical Account: Common Ei der: Present 1965-73, Drury 400 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 2 pro 1931, Norton 32 pro 1944, Gross, 1945 1 pro 1948, Gross 125 pro 1965-73, Drury 100 pro 1977, Korschgen 250 pro 1984, Butler (pers.comm) Herring Gull 200-300 pro 1899 Knight 300 pro 1901, Dutcher 2000 indv. 1902, Dutcher 3500 indv. 1600 pro 1907, Norton 750 pro 1920, Drury, 1973. 4000 pro 1930, Drury, 1973. 1800 pro 1940, Drury, 1973. 245 pro 1946, Gross 2500 pro 1950, Drury, 1973 550 pro 1961, Drury, 1973. 75 pr 1962, Drury, 1973. 100 pro 1972, Drury, 1973. 450 pro 1977, Korschgen Leach's Storm Petrel # in thousands, 1907, Norton Large colony 1931, Drury, 1973 500 pro 1965-73, Drury. 4000 pro 1977, Lesser.

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71 D.C. Cormor"ant 60 pro 1965-73 Drury. 474 pro 1977, Korschgen Black (::';uillemot 300-400 pro 1899, Knight 300 indv. 1907, Norton. 57 indv. 1931, Norton. 200 pro 1965-73, Drury. 250 pro 1977, Korschgen Grt. Blue Heron 1 pr. 19:3.1, Norton Black-crowned Night Heron Large rookery 1904, Dutcher

Description: Little Duck Island is a large, relatively isolated, forested island, located 7 miles south of M.D. I .. It was purchased by the National Audubon Society at the beginning of the 20'th century with the specific intention of providing an offshore nesting sanctuary for Maine's seabirds. Historically it has been one of the more diverse, plentiful and important seabird nesting islands in the Gulf of Maine. Detailed descriptions of the islands seabirds, flora and physiogeographic features are presented by Lesser (1977). Generally, nesting occurs throughout the island. Gulls and eiders are located along the shore, on the rocks and in the shrub vegetation, circling the entire island. Petrels are burrow nesting seabirds that utilize the loose peat soils and root systems of the forested sections. Presently a spruce forest covers approximately two-thirds of the island. Cormorants are restrtcted to the SW corner, nesting both on the ground and in the trees. Over the years, consecutive tree nesting and excretion by cormorants have caused the trees to die and subsequently much of the forest has been killed in the colony area. This years census indicated approximately 18 tree nesting cormorant pairs, with the remaining 100 nests located on the rock shoreline and grass hillslope below and to the south of the tt-eE's. No human activity on the island was detected affecting the livelihood of the seabirds. Dr. Ronald Butler (research associate, Duquesne Univ. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and summer research associate at Mount Desert Biological Laboratory) has been conducting research on Leach's Petrel and Black-back Gulls for the last 5 years on the island. While doing his field work he acts as a warden and diverts potential harm from human visits during the nesting season.

Threats: Extensive use during the nesting season by humans is hazardous. Limited access should be enforced. Trampling in petrel nesting areas often destroys burrows. The condition of the forest is such that fire poses a potential threat which could be devastating if during the nesting season. No fires should be allowed.

Perceived Value For Colonial Seabirds: High

--72- Island: Baker Island Me. Req. #: 59-318 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor SW Size:< 100 acrE~S Cover Type: Foroested (95i: Spruce) Ownership/Status: Acadia NPS holding. Hestrictions:? Survey Date: 5/25/85; 0700 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None found

Descr- i pt ion: Baker Island is located 3 miles south of M~D.I .• and 1 mile southeast of Little Cranberry Island. It is a large, spruce coverd island with a lighthouse tower in the center. I n the 1800' s the i sl and once supported a I at-ge farm. It was abandoned and subsequently White and Red Spruce have established on the oldfields. Mice are known inhabitants of the island; thus discouraging seabird nesting. We investigated by boat the NW, N, E, and SE sides of the island and saw no seabirds associated to the island. We did not land to investigate further. Human use is primarily limited to natural history tours given by Acadia NPS rangers. Further information about potential threats to the islands flora and fauna should be refered to the park's naturalist staff.

Threats: Not applicable.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

-! .'::I~- Island: Egg Rock Me. Reg. #~ Quadrangle: Bar Harbor SW Size:?'? Cover Type: Rock, Grass and Herbaceous Vegetation Ow~ership/Status: U.S. Coast Guard; proposed acquisition Restrictions:???

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Ei der­ 6 pro Black-backed Gull 10 pro Hen-ing Gull 15 pro Laughing Gull 25 p.r. Common Tern' 375 pro Arctic Tern 25 pro

Survey Date: 6/22/85 Method: Nest Count and Ground Estimate.

Historical Account:

Common Eider 4 pro 1983, Folger, unpubl. 6 pro 1984, Folger, unpubl. Herr i ng Gul1. 40 nests, 1984, Folger & Drennan, 1984· Laughing Gull nesting, 1977, " " 175 pr. 1983, tI " 75-100 pro 1984," " Common Tern nesti ng, 1977, " " 14() pr. 1983, II " r 325 pro 1984, " Arctic Tern nesting, 1977, " " 120 Pt-. 1983, " " 60 pro 1984, " " Roseate Tern 5 pr a 1983, " " 3 pro 1984, \,

Description: Egg Rock is located at the mouth to Frenchman Bay, 3.5 miles southeast of Bar Harbor. It is a long narrow island ! \ which supports an automated lighthouse. It rock type is l basalt. A cobble beach is located on the north side and a quarter mile long point, submerged at high tide, extends from the south sid~ of the island. Nesting occurs on all vegetat~d sections. Terns are concentrated along the rock and vegetated slopes on the N, W, Sand SE sides. Nesting Herring and Black-backed Gulls predominate on the east side, in the rocks adjacent to the U.S. Coastguard's helicopter landing pad. Laughing Gulls and eiders utilize the dense vegetation in the field north of the lighthouse. Past use by the Coastguard discouraged seabirds nesting on the island. Since the lighthouse's automation in 1976, the island has been increasingly used by nesting seabirds. Terns and Laughing Gulls began nesting on the island in 1977. This occurred following the abandonment of Maine's

-74- largest tern and laughing gull colony on Petit Manan Island (15 miles east of Egg Rock). Over the last three years researchers from the College of The Atlantic have been monitoring the terns on the island. They have found dismal nesting success and attribute this to heavy predation by large gulls. As a result of the islands ideal location to major land based food resources, Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor, large numbers (350+) of Herring and Black-backed Gulls have been counted on the island at evening roosting. Consequently, without active management, terns are likely going to abandon the island in the near future and nesting gulls are likely to increase. Because of the islands location (a days excursion) it is likely going to receive more and more visits from increasing boat traffic going in and out of Bar Harbor. Such visits during the nesting season would be detrimental to the nesting birds, especially terns and eiders. Because of the island's small size it cannot accommodate excessive visitation. Landings should be limited. Anchorages are poor,landing in most cases easy.

Th~eats: Human Visits during the nesting season would be harmful. Posting should be carried out and human access limited during the nesting season.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate; has potential for developing interpretor programs within the park.

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1 -75- Island: Bald Porcupine Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-197 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW Size: <40 acres Cover Type: Forested (mixed spruce & hardwoods) Ownership/Status: Acadia NPS holding F~estr·ictions: ?

Species: Number Pro Nesting t·-.lone

Survey Date: 5/26/85 Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None Found

Description: Bald Porcupine is loea.ted 1 mile SSE of Bar Harbor. It is a high (elev. 186 ft.) island with sheer cliffs on the south side and a breakwater on the west side. It is densely forested in a mixture of birch, aspen, oak and spruce. We circled the island and saw no indication of nesting. The surrounding waters appear very productive. Rafts of eiders and guillemots can often be seen along the southern shore. Gulls and cormorants utilize the breakwater as a roosting site. Bald Eagles are often ~eported around the island. Day visits are frequent during the summer by people vacationing in Bar Harbor. Landing is difficult and often hazardous. Impact of human use is unknown. f. Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None Island: Bar Island Me. Reg. #:59-194 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW Size: Ownership/Status: Acadia NPS holding, northern half Restrictions:? Survey Date: 5/28/85; 0900 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting None

Method: Boat C~nsus

Historical Ac~o~nt: None F00nd~

Description: Bar Island is located 0.25 NE of Bar Harbor. It is attached to M.D.I. by a gravel bar that is exposed and passable at low tide. As a result small mammals are present on the island, making it unsuitable for nesting seabirds. No further investigations were made.

Threats: not applicable

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-77- Island:Sheep Porcupine Is. Me. Reg. #:59-195 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW ~:Jj ? E': <" ::i0 EtC r" E'S Covur Type: Forested (mixed spruce & hardwood) O~nership/Status: Acadia NPS holding Rt"~'=itr" i. c:t ions: ':-' Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1630 hrs

!3p ec i f0S-;: Number Pro Nesting: Bi:11 d Eag 1 e 1 active nest

Method: Boat Census

Historical Acc6unt: None found. i)c';::,c::r" i p t ion: Sheep Porcupine Island ie 0.7 miles ENE of Bar Harbor. It is the second island extending out from Bar Harbor's Bar {::;Iand. It is i,t tall (elev. LS9 ft.) t-ugged island with a cobble beach on the north west corner of the island and a huid cl i.f+ ;::ihOr"Ed ine along the south side. The forest is a di?nSF' mi~n, and maple. Foot travel on the island is difficult due to a thick un cJ E:~r- c.J c- U,'J i:h . An eagle nest is located in the southern central PC)I~"!~ion of thf':> i.sland,. It is barely visable from the water. In 1985 this nest appeared to have hatched young. It is unknown whether they fledged. Human use of the island is low. However, it is within easy distance for day excursions out of Bar Harbor and will potentially increase.

Threats: Disturbance to nesting eagles would be disruptive to the nesting pair. Landings should be discouraged, except if restricted to the beach. Fire poses a hazard due to an excessive number of dead trees on the island ..

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None Island: Jordan Is. Me Reg. #: 59-012 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW Size:300 acres Cover Type: Forested (mixed spruce ~ hardwood) Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement. Restrictions: presently 2 houses ~ 5 accessory buildings future allowances, 1 house, dock ~ associated structures. Sheep grazing allowed. Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1100 hrs.

Species Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: None Found

Description: Jordan Island is a large forested island located 3 miles east of Bar Harbor and 1.5 miles west of South Gouldsboro. We circled the island and saw n6 indication of nesting. Given the islands large size and closeness to the mainland, it probably supports predators, suggesting undesirable nesting for seabirds. No further investigations were made.

Threats~

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

-78- Island: Preble Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-183 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW Size: 85 acres Cover Type: Forest and field Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement Restrictions: presently 2 sheds; future allowances, none (except tents), non-commercial camping permitted. Survey Date: 6/04/85; 1100 hrs

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Osprey 1 active nest

; '~ Method: Boat census

Historical Accout: None Found

Description: Preble Island is located 0.5 miles south of Sorrento, in upper Frenchman Bay. It is a large forested island with a field on the south east side. A single osprey nest was spotted on the west shore in the central part of the island. No other seabirds were seen associated to the island. No further investigations were made.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None. l.

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-79- Island: Bean Island Me. Reg. #:59-190 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor NW Size: 27 acres Cover Type: Forested (mixed spruce & hardwood) Ownership/Status: Private, 1 easement Restrictions: present 1 shed; future allowances, 2 houses, accessory structures, swimming pool & dock. Survey Date: 6/04/85; 1200 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Black-backed Gull 20 indv. 15 nests Herring Gull 35 indv. 24 nests

Method: Boat Census

Historical Account: Hen-i ng Gull 80 pro 1977, Korschgen

Description: Bean Island is located 1 mile east of Hancock Point. in upper Frenchman Bay. It i~ a fore~ted island with mixtures of spruce, bi rch, oak and aspen. There is. a house on the north side, located above the only sandy beach. Good anchorages are located on the north side of the island with ea.sy I andi ngs. Nesting gulls were seen on the southeast and southwest corners of the island.

Threats: No potential threats were indicated.

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low

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-80-- Island: Pond Island Me. Reg. #: 59-064 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor SE Si:.::e:<1.5 acres Ownership/Status: ? Restrictions: ? Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1400 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat survey, partial investigation.

Historical Actount: None found

Description: Pond Island is located 0.3 miles west of Schoodic Peninsula. It is a forested island with a single house on the east side. The surrounding waters are shallow and rocky, and was impossible for us to circle the island. We passed to the southwest and saw no seabirds associated with the island. Given its closeness to the mainland, it likely supports small mammals, discouraging colonial waterbird nesting.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: None

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-81- Island: Little Moose Island Me. Reg. #:59-063 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor BE Size: Cover Type: Field and Forest Ownership/Status: Acadia NPS. Restrictions:? Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1030 hrs.

Species Number Pro Nesting: None

Method Boat Census

Historical Account: None Found

Description: Little Moose Island is located on the outer point of Schoodic Point. It is accessible at low tide by a cobble bar, thus mainland predators have access to the island, rendering it unsuitable for nesting seabirds. For further characterization of the holdirig see Acadia NPS files.

Threats:

Perceived Value For Colo~ial Waterbirds: None.

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-82- Island: Schoodic Island Me. Reg. #: 59-062 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor SE Size 64 aCI~es Cover Type: Predominantly shrubs and herbaceous vegetation, 1/4 forested (spruce). Ownership/Status: Aca~ia NPS holding. Restrictions: ? Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1100 hrs.

Species: Number Pro Nesting: Common Eider 1700-2200 male indv. est. 800+-200 nests. Black-backed Gull 225 pro Herring Gull 575 pro Double-crested Cormorant 185 pro Black Guillemot 70 indv. Bcdd Eagle 1 active nest

Method: Boat and Ground survey.

Historical Account: Common Eider o pro 1952, Mendall 33 pro est 125 indv. ,1968, Mendall 300 pro 1977, Korschgen Black-backed Gull 46 pro 1944, Gross 5 pro 1948, Gross 150 pro 1965-73, Drury 500 pr 1977, Korschgen Herring Gull 100 indv,"very few nesting" 1931, Norton 252 pro 1946, Gross 400 pr 1962, Drury 500 pr 1965-73, Drury 500 pr 1977, Korschgen D. C. Cormot-ant 250 pro 1965-73, Drury 272 pro 1977, Korschgen Lee\ch 's Petrel ~ pro 1977, Korshgen Bald Ec:\(]lE~ 1 pro 1965-73, Drury i. nesting 1975, Miller

Description: Schoodic Island is located .75 miles southeast of Schoodic Peninsula. It is a large and important eider nesting island. The flora is predominantly comprised of grass and shrubs, with a stand of spruce on the south end of the island. The topography is variable and includes steep granite shorelines, cobble and gravel beaches, low wet brackish marshes, and large grassy hill slopes.

/ Schoodic Is.cont. For locations of nesting colonies, see map. Points to note: Our survey indicates a dramatic increase in nesting eider, as compared to Korschgen's 1977 census. Our estimate places Schoodic Island as the fifth largest eider nesting island in the state (see Korschgen, 1977). Due to the fact that we did not count nests, confidence limits for our estimate includes a wide range error. We walked the periphery of the nesting area and counted 220 female eider that flushed from their nests. Extrapolatfon from flush rate, density of nests seen, and the general size of the nesting area has be.en used to estimate the breeding population. Recent signs of human activities on the island was not evident. Fair to poor anchorages are located on the riorth and northwest sides of the island. Landing is relatively easy on the north and northwest cobble beaches.

Threats: Landing during the nesting season flushes many nesting eider, leaving nests open to predation by gulls. The eagle is easily disturbed off its nest. Access should be restricted during the nesting season. Posting and warning potential visitors is recommended.

Peceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Moderate-High.

/ 1 I ,~,~; - ,<..Qjoo ty / ·.... c .-. -- ---."-'- ~ ~. lon~ Porcupine I. / °co I / ~. Porcu pine I. ( ? I I , ~------J\ .

," Heron I. i r \ U r, e.Y\(. ~ \\'\ I/j).i Grindstone Pt. 5pectade I. ~ ) 0 / \1 Ned J. / \J

I ... /J Ec3~ Rock \ o \ ~-c ~~..fs \ M':"'.yH ~ w~( ~+i~W<~eJ.

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~~ Island: Rolling Is. Me. Reg. #: 59-060 Quadrangle: Bar Harbor SE Size: Cover Type: Forested (95% spruce) Ownership/Status: ?; Proposed Acquisition Restrictions~ ') Survey Date: 5/26/85; 1330 hrs.

SPl='c i es: Number Pro Nesting: None

Method: Boat census

Historical Account: None found.

Desc""i pti on: Rolling Island is located 0.3 miles east of Schoodic Peninsula. It is a low, granite, island supporting a forest of 35-40 ft. tall spruce, 2 birches and 1 shadbush (Amelanchier sp.). A small field is situated on the west side of the island, facing the mainland. We circled the island and saw no indication of nesting seabirds. Recent human activities on the island was not evident. Presence of small mammals unknown.

Threats: None

Perceived Value For Colonial Waterbirds: Low

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-86-- Part 4. Discussion

Of the 64 islands we surveyed for Acadia NPS, less than 20 percent support relatively important colonial waterbird n~sting colonies. Of these, the islands that maintain "valueable" colonies include: two that are owned by the park (Schoodic Is. and Heron Is.), one that is owned by the National Audubon Society (Little Duck Is.), four that are proposed for acquisition (Ship Is., Trumpet Is., Green Is(s)., and Egg Rock), and six that are privately owned (Bald Is., West Torrey Is., Little Spoon Is., Great Spoon Is., Shabby Is., and Hardwood Is.). Steps to protect nesting colonies on these, as well as others listed in the results, can be carried out by restricting island use during the nesting season, completing proposed land

i purchases, and holding discussions with island owners about I the use of their property and its future development. I A consideration of potential threats to these colonies involves four concerns: I. human use, 2. fire, 3. sheep grazing, and 4. predation pressures. The following paragraphs summarize each of these concerns and makes suggestions on how to limit their effects.

The most immediate hazard facing each of the colonies is a result of the breeding birds response to humans landing on a nesting island. We found despite our concious effort to minimize disturbance and stay our of nesting areas, we caused birds to flush from their nests, exposing eggs and chicks to the elements and potentially limiting reproductive success. In cases where Herring and Black-backed Gulls were present this problem increased as a result of individual gulls eating the eggs and chicks of undefended nests. Common Eider were the most susceptible to this type of opportunistic predation. In cases where people land and not limit their movements on a nesting island, their effects could be severe, especially if landings are frequent and also included pets.

Because most of the islands under Acadia NPS jurisdiction that have large concentrations of nesting waterbirds are isolated and difficult to land on, this threat is limited to a few sites. On islands such as Schoodic, Heron, Great Spoon, Ship and Trumpet, access is easy. The probability of people landing during the nesting season seems likely. This is especially true in light of the increase in summer boat recreation reported for the entire mid-Maine coast I. iI region. Access on these islands, as well as those LJ mentioned in the island-by island accounts, should be restricted during the nesting season. From our experience this occurs from atleast May I'st to July 15'th. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife policy for limiting access on Common Eider nesting islands includes landing restrictions from April I'st to July 15'th. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has no policy in the region, but recommends restricting access also from April I'st to July 15'th. Posting is probably the most expedient method available. -87- The second most immediate threat detected on the islands surveyed involves forest fires. As a result of previous logging carried out in the 1930's and nearly uniform abandonment of island farms through the first decades of this century, many of the island that were cleared of trees 50 to 80 years ago have been colonized by spruce trees in consolidated periods of time, creating "even-aged" forest's. Presently, many of the trees in these forested islands are beginning to die and e>:tensive areas are being blown down. This has caused an alarming amount of dried wood to accumulate.

Generally, fire caused by lightening, or spontaneous combustion is not "typical for Maine fslands because of extended periods of fog, cool temperatures, and infrequent electrical storms. Traditional sources of fire have been a result of husbandry practices, involving burning islands for fields and pasture. Presently, this practice is not common on the islands and thus an unlikely source of concern. It seems open campfires pose the most immediate source of fire that would jeopardize seabird nesting islands in the area. I The greatest fire hazards noted in our survey were on inshore islands in Upper Penobscot Bay, Upper Jericho Bay, and around Mount Desert Island. The islands in these areas were predominantly properties which Acadia NPS hold easements to and do not support large colonies of nesting birds. Islands with "valuable" bird colonies considered at risk include: Little Duck Island, Hardwood Island, Sheep Island (Jericho Bay), and Pond Island (East Penobscot Bay).

Whether fire is necessarily bad in relation to colonial waterbirds is questionable. For tree nesting herons and burrow nesting petrels, fire is detrimental and will likely discourage nesting on an island for several years. In contrast, fire might encourage nesting for other colonial waterbirds by eliminating trees and encouraging low herbaceous and shrub vegetation. These cover types are especially utilized by gulls, terns, eiders and cormorants.

A detailed survey of fire hazards on each of the islands we investigated was not our original intention and we did not have the expertise to document the risks fully. A more thorough evaluation is required. General steps that should be taken to mitigate fire hazard include discouraging open fires above the shoreline during dry seasons, forest management practices to limit uniform die back, and developing contingency plans if fire does break out on important nesting islands. To carry out these steps requires posting and holding discussions with land owners, as well as assessing fire fighting potential in the region.

-88- An important consideration in fighting fires on any of these islands is that each typically has a soil high in peat. On Seal Island, a treeless island in outer Penobscot Bay, a fire was set by a fisherman in the summer of 1978. The island burned for three months as a duff fire and destroyed a substantial amount of the nesting habitat used by Leach's Petrel and Common Eider. Fall rainstorms finally put the fire out.

A third potential threat which can influence colonial waterbird nesting is from sheep grazing. Although this was not detected on any of the islands surveyed in 1985, if sheep are introduced to a nesting area it would have direct influence on the vegetation, which in turn influences the nesting habitat. On several offshore islands in Maine there are cases where sheep grazing and seabird colonies exist together with no apparent harm ( ex. Metinic Island, western Penobscot Bay; the Nash Island(s), Pleasant Bay; and the Brother Island(s), Machias Bay). However, there are also reports of sheep grazing disrupting Laughing Gulls, Leach's Petrels and tern colonies throughout the Gulf of Maine (Drury, 1973; Nisbet, 1971; Pettingill, 1939). Decisions whether to allow grazing on seabird nesting islands need to consider several factors; primarily: the bird species involved, the vegetation and topography of the island, the colony location, and the methods used to manage the flock. The common practice of spring round-up for shearing conflicts with the nesting schedules for most seabirds in our region.. If round-up involves the use of dogs and requires excessive trampling in nesting areas, it would inflict considerable stress on the nesting birds. This could eventually force birds to move to less disturbed nesting islands. Species especially susceptible to this are eiders and terns.

A final area of potential threat noted in this survey involves two sources of predation. Seabirds use isolated islands as a means to avoid predators that commonly associate to the mainland. This strategy is especially useful for eliminating small mammals, such as mink, weasel, and red squirrels. In the past, introductions by humans of rats, cats and unwanted pets has had disastrous effects on the nesting birds. Although, no introductions of small mammals were detected in this survey, in the odd chance that it might occur, contingency plans should be developed to respond quickly at removing introduced predators on important nesting islands. Annual checks of important islands are advised.

More abundant cases of predation were noted during our investigations by Herring and Black-backed Gulls. These large birds have been heavily subsidized through year-round food resources at dumps and fishing ports throughout New England. As a result, their population has exploded much to the detriment of other seabirds that must compete for a limited amount of nesting space and be subject to an

-89- increased frequency of predation. We occasionally saw Herring and Black-backed Gulls preying on the eggs, chicks and adults of.each seabird species nesting in our area. This predatory behavior, compounded by the large nesting territories and earlier nesting schedules of Herring and Black-backed Gulls have allowed them to exclude smaller and often "more valued" seabirds, such as terns, from optimal nesting sites.

Our observations at several of the islands surveyed indicated large gulls often had a significant impact on reproductive success. On Egg Rock, an island located in the approaches to Frenchman Bay and proposed for acquisition by Acadia NPS, we have observed gulls eliminating all eggs and chicks produced by the terns and Laughing Gulls nesting there for the last two years. We feel it is likely that terns and Laughing Gulls will be driven off this island in the near future. On Great Spoon Island, east of Isle Au Haut evidence suggests gulls were responsible for two consecutive years of nesting failure for a small Arctic Tern colony present there. On Schoodic Island, owned and managed by Acadia NPS, several cases of gull predation on eider nests were noted. We have no good data on the extent of their annual predation; however, it appeared gulls were the most immediate hazard limiting this large and important eider nesting island.

Future programs of gull control on key islands might be considered by Acadia NPS to encourage more "valued" colonial nesting seabirds. On Petit Manan Island (15 miles east of Mount Desert Island) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently carried out a Gull control program on the refuge with the use of a poison (ORe 1339). As a result of a lot of work and conditions around the island being suitable, the largest tern colony in Maine was restored and significant increases in puffins, gUillemots and eider were recorded (Drennan & Folger, in prep.).

Two islands which a gull control program might be especially beneficial are Ship and Trumpet Island(s), in Blue Hill Bay. Historically, Common Terns were reported on this island from 1899 to 1943. The highest census done by Norton in 1943, estimating 600 pairs (c.f. Korschgen, 1979). Being further inshore Ship and Trumpet area favorable sites for Common Terns which often feed more in estuaries and back bays than its close relative the Arctic Tern. Over the last 40 years Common Tern populations have been declining in Maine (Folger and Drennan, 1984) and one contributing reason is the fact that inshore islands are also good gull nesting sites (Hunt 1972). Inshore islands are generally closer to fishing ports, landfills, and extensive inter-tidal areas which roosting and nesting Herring and Black-backed gulls utilize. As a result terns, especially Common Terns, have had to yield and move off of inshore islands to other sites. The historical data we have suggests this has been further offshore to a few isolated colonies that have -90- traditionally supported Artic Terns. Presntly in Maine only these offshore islands are being protected by the USFWS from gull predation.

* * * * * *" * The techniques used in this survey are believed adequate for most nesting islands. Further work should be carried out at all of the large <}100 pr.) eider and gull colonies to help decrease the error inherent in our single estimates of large nestingcal:emies. Given the fact that many birds move nesting localities from year to year, and often within nesting season, rigorous surveying for precise population estimates is futile and should not be carried out. Effort should be placed on developing repeatable approaches for the future and promoting repliction as often as possible. Establishing whether to count a colony by boat, air, or ground should be worked out for each island. Testing different sampling techniques should be developed before assigning a specific sampling method. It is recommended counts on the larger nesting islands be carried out every two years. For small colonies checks every five years and discussions with land owners or people familiar with the status of a nesting colony be made.

Conclusion

No where in the eastern United States is there a higher diversity of nesting seabirds than in the Gulf of Maine. This resource contains several aesthetic qualities that bring people to Acadia National Park and the Maine coast. Protection of nesting islands is necessary if Maine's colonial waterbirds are to remain an important natural component to the area. To do so, requires the public to protect seabird nesting islands by not disrupting them during the nesting season. If no efforts are made to limit human access, uncontrolled use of a nesting island will likely cause seabirds to move and be restricted to fewer i "optimi:'d" islar-,ds. Consideration should be ';liven to I develop methods that will enhance the breeding success and t maximize the diversity of seabirds in our area. This can best be done through the use of wildlife management practices presently being developed through the USFWS, as well as educating the public about their impacts on the ecology of coastal island communities.

Conservation of our seabird resource demands that we take an active role. This includes understanding the dynamic changes that effect Maine's coastal islands and understanding the population changes occurring to colonial waterbirds throughout the region. Without this background there is little we can do to wisely manage this resource and ensure its well being in the years to come

-91- Literature Cited:

Buckley, P.A. & F.G. Buckley. 1980. Population and Colony-Site Trends Of Long Island Waterbirds For Five Years In The Mid 1970's. Transactions of the Linnaean Society of New York, Vol. IX, 1980, pp 23-56.

Drury, W.H. 1973. Population Changes In New England Seabirds. Bird Banding 44: 267-313; 45: 1-15.

Drury, W.H. & I.C.T. Nisbet. 1972. The Importance Of Movements In The Biology Of Herring Gulls In New England. Pp. 173-212 In: Population Ecology of Migratory Birds: A Symposium, U.S. Dept. Int. Wildl. Res. Rept. 2, 278 pp.

Folger, D.C. & M.P. Drennan. 1984. Population Status of Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns in The Gulf Of Maine With Observations Of Five Downeast Colonies. Office Report, Fall 1984; submitted to Acadia NPS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy, Maine Chapter. pp 22.

Korschgen, C.E. 1979. Coastal Waterbird Colonies: Maine. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Biological Service Program, FWS/OBS 79-09.

Lesser, E.A. unpublished. A Study of Marine Birds On Little Duck Island, Maine. 60 pp.

Nettleship, D.N. 1976. Census Techniques For Seabirds Of Arctic And Eastern Canada. CWS Occasional Paper no. 1976. pp 31

Nisbet, I.C.T. 1971. The Laughing Gull In The Northeast. American Birds 25(4): 677-683

Nisbet, I.C.T. & W.H. Drury. 1972. Measuring The Breeding Success In Common And Roseate Terns. Bird Banding 43: 97-106. I Pettingill, O.S. 1939. History Of One Hundred Nests Of Arctic Terns. Auk. 56: 420-428.

Tyler, H.R. 1977. Wading Birds In Maine and Their Relevance To The Critical Areas Program. Critical Areas Program, I Natural Resouce Planning Div., Me. State Planning l Office; Planning Report No. 26. pp 51. Tyler, H.R. eta ala 1982. Seven Unusual Sub-arctic Plants Of The Maine Coast. Critical Areas Program, Me. State Planning Office; Planning Report No. 78. pp 67. / l Wilbur, H.M. 1969. The Breeding Biology Of Leach's Petrel, \ Oceanodroma leucorhoa. The Auk, Vol. 86: 433-442.

-92- UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

· DATE: 3/86 memorandum REPLY TO ATTN OF: Carroll J. Schell

SUBJECT: Editing problems with this Colonial Water Bird Survey

TO: For the Record

Page 28: The Sheep Island mentioned is the wrong Sheep Island.

Page 84: Schoodic Island not ACAD owned although it is proposed for acquisition.

Page 87: Same reference for Schoodic Island. Page 90: " " " " " Appendix if1

Bear Island not ACAD owned although proposed for acquisition

Swans Island includes conservation easements only

I f

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 (REV. 7-76) GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 5010-112.