PS-01836

Egg Rock Island Maine Tern Carved Decoy

Original authentic Tern Decoy carved for the Project Puffin Restoration on Egg Rock Island Maine. Egg Rock Island is a seven acre island where restored Puffins, Terns and other seabirds were successfully reestablished. Seabird and Restoration History: The Island is home to the world's first restored seabird colony. The methods initiated here in 1973 have been replicated dozens of times worldwide to help endangered and threatened seabirds. Like many Maine coast seabird colonies, nesting seabird populations were diminished and eventually extirpated by a combination of egging, hunting for meat and feathers, and displacement by expanding Herring and Great Black-backed Gull populations that increased in response to fishing practices and municipal waste. Prior to recolonization, puffins last nested in 1885 and terns last nested in 1936. Gull management, the translocation of nearly 1,000 young puffins from Newfoundland, and social attraction (decoys and mirror boxes) were the primary tools for restoring puffins. In response to the puffin restoration, five pairs of puffins began nesting in 1981; by 2017, at least 172 pairs were nesting on the island. Tern restoration relied on gull management and social attraction (decoys and sound); the first terns nested in 1980 and today the colony supports approx. 1,000 pairs. Guaranteed original authentic decoy used on Egg Rock Island in restoration project. Purchased from Project Puffin Visitor Center, Rockland, Maine. Ca. 1970’s. Rock base NOT included. Excellent working condition with original paint. App. 10 ¼” tall x 3 ¾” wide.