The Little-Known Story Of Atlantic Puffins In Maine And How They Made A Big Comeback
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published April 03, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Atlantic Puffins and Maine are as iconic a pairing as peanut butter and jelly. But just three years ago, this beloved species faced a devastating drop in population. To the relief of scientists and avian enthusiasts worldwide, those on the front lines of this issue are now reporting a comeback, restoring optimism to this bird’s future and ensuring they’ll continue to be a vital part of Maine’s identity.
Atlantic puffins, also called common puffins, are one of a handful of animals whose charisma has captured the public's hearts.
Thank goodness, too, because this isn't the first time puffin populations plummeted. As a result of habitat loss, hunting, and egg collection, puffins were all but wiped out in Maine by 1900.
The species would exist on the brink for almost 100 years. It wasn't until 1973, when Audobon's Steve Kress— now known as "The Puffin Man"— began transporting birds from Newfoundland to Maine's Eastern Egg Rock Island that their numbers recovered. Today, they're considered a vulnerable species.
This brings us to 2021, when scientists reported an alarming drop-off in the puffin population. Their reproduction rate was reportedly at an all-time low, with only a quarter of Maine's puffins fledging chicks.
It was easy to figure out what was wrong. Most puffin colonies are located on the islands off the Gulf Of Maine, where the waters are getting warmer each year. These rising temperatures gravely affect local fisheries, which puffins rely on for food.
Despite the declining catches, Maine's fishing industry remained active. Commercial fishing provides Mainers with around 26,000 jobs and is a vital part of coastal identity. Yet, with unseasonably warm oceans, there may not be enough fish to consistently support people and animals anymore.
Climate change necessitates adjustment. While humans are usually capable of this change, species like puffins aren't always so flexible. This is why it's such a relief that Atlantic puffin populations appear to be rebounding. Adult birds raised more chicks in 2022 and 2023 than they did in 2021, which bodes well for the coming years.
Though there isn't a guarantee what the future holds for this iconic Maine species, their recovery has given scientists hope that they can adapt to new environmental conditions.
Puffins in Maine seem like a given, and it isn’t easy to imagine our coast without them. But even this beloved bird is vulnerable to population loss, which is why it’s such a relief to see their numbers rebound after ailing fisheries affected their reproduction in 2021.
If you’re interested in learning more about Maine’s coastal habitat, consider taking a local tour guided by a professional. Education is the easiest way to help protect Pine Tree State species!
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