Some from July 11
Fledgling
Double-crested and great Cormorant Little Roberts
Cormorants, Little Roberts
Minke Whale, (blackfish) in the bay
There Is a myth that the National Audubon Society "Saved" or "brought
back" or "reintroduced" Puffins to the Gulf of Maine. Though it was an
interesting effort that succeeded in re establishing a breeding
population of puffins on Eastern Egg Rock in Moscungus Bay, the truth is
that the program added about 3 percent to a population that had been
growing for 80 years and was also expanding geographically. They also
transplanted puffin chicks from Newfoundland to Seal Island but only
about 30 of the over 900 chicks they transplanted ended up breeding
there and after five years 90% of the Puffins breeding on that colony
were birds reared in the gulf of Maine.
It was an innovative program but it is important to remember that the
only about 5% of the transplanted puffin chicks were ever seen again so
if this were a rare species that result would have been more a
disaster than a success.
It is disappointing that the National Audubon Society has chosen not
to emphasize the reality of the story and have done nothing but nourish
this inaccurate myth. Credibility is perishable, now if I read about the
success of their efforts on another front about wich I have no
knowledge I am inclined to think something uncharitable along the lines
of "that information may similarly be self serving and inaccurate".
I believe that credit should be given where credit is due, that is
that the growth of the Puffin population in the Gulf of Maine is the
result of the efforts of the Puffins themselves, they have been working
on this for generations.
The Razorbill population in the gulf of Maine similarly has grown dramatically in recent decades.
Murre, Razorbill, Puffin, ashore Seal Island, Murre too have been expanding in this direction for years, they are regular at Seal Island these days.
gulls trying to discourage young eagle, Otter Island.
Tbird and common Tern.
Roseate Tern with arctics, seal Island
the Lovely Manx North of Three fathom ledge
Manx, shearing the water
Murre in the Bay
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