It would be hard to imagine Maine without Puffins, but not too long ago these endearing seabirds were almost exterminated by commercial hunters. In the year 1900, there were only 2 Puffins left in Maine! In 1901 the National Audubon Society hired the lighthouse keeper on Matinicus Rock to keep gunners from shooting the last Puffins. In more recent years, the Society has made international headlines by re-establishing healthy breeding colonies of Puffins, Terns and other seabirds. Since Dr. Stephen Kress began the Puffin Project in 1973, the following have been accomplished:

• restored 2 Puffin colonies, with 22 breeding pairs on Eastern Egg Rock island in Muscongus Bay, and 58 pairs on Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge in Penobscot Bay
• re-established six Tern colonies, with more than 6,000 pairs of Common, Arctic, and endangered Roseate Terns nesting each summer

Puffins return to their nesting colonies during the first week of April and leave during the first week of August. The best time to see puffins at their colonies is during the months of June and July or the first few days of August. After this time, the puffins winter on the ocean and are seldom seen near land.

At small colonies it is difficult to see puffins even during the months when they are nesting. The birds spend most of their time on the water or hidden under rocks.

All Puffin sanctuaries described above are protected by resident summer wardens. Viewing the birds from water reduces disturbance to the colonies. Puffins are easily viewed from the water with binoculars. At present, bird watchers are only permitted to land on Nachias Seal Island, where limited numbers can watch from observation blinds.

Puffin viewing cruises are operated out of several coastal Maine villages, including Bar Harbor, Cutler, Boothbay Harbor, Lubec, Rockland and several others. The Maine Audubon Society also sponsors cruises (207-781-2330)