With the departure of puffins, terns, and most other seabirds from the Gulf of Maine’s nesting islands, research teams returned to the mainland and began summarizing their summer findings. The data crunching was fast and furious to assess the season and present those results at the annual summer convening of the Gulf of Maine Seabird Working Group (GOMSWG). Audubon researchers and partners from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia gathered at Hog Island and virtually to share how their respective island colonies fared and to present results of longer-term research efforts. There is a little networking, too! GOMSWG also offers an opportunity for early career scientists and conservationists to meet experienced researchers from a variety of organizations, universities, and agencies, to hopefully tap those connections for future job and collaboration opportunities.

During the morning island updates session, a number of GOMSWG partners reported a refreshing number of large, healthy herring brought in to feed seabird chicks this summer – it was great to hear that this important forage fish is ‘back on the menu’ for seabirds in many locations! Other notable island updates included a growing (record-sized!) Razorbill colony on Seal Island, fewer Laughing Gulls attempting to steal fish from terns and puffins at Eastern Egg Rock, and over 150 Least Tern fledglings produced at colonies monitored by Maine Audubon – a 10 year high!

In the afternoon session of research project updates, GOMSWG-ers heard about non-lethal techniques to deter night herons from preying on tern chicks, efforts to assess PFAS exposure in eiders and eagles, and a variety of studies working to better understand where seabirds are foraging in the Gulf of Maine to inform offshore wind energy development.

Celebrating a Season of Seabird Success

In addition to data crunching, reporting on results, and networking with partners, our island teams, now gathered at the Seabird Institute’s Bremen base of operations, found a little time to celebrate the conclusion of a successful nesting season.

Avid readers of Seabirds and Shorelines will know some of the awards island teams compete for, but for those new to our audience, the awards are, with this year’s recipients (drum roll…):

• International Guillemot Appreciation Day film awards: There were so many amazing contributions for this award that five island teams were recognized.
  • Best Picture – Stratton Island and Jenny Island
  • Best Foreign Film – Eastern Egg Rock Island
  • Best Special Effects – Pond Island
  • Best Nature Documentary – Outer Green Island
• Use It Up Cooking Challenge – Outer Green Island
• Speediest Island Egress – Outer Green Island
• Social (Media) Attraction (new award for most viral engagement content) – Eastern Egg Rock Island