Group of Puffins

A century ago, Puffins were nearly eliminated from Maine as the colorful birds were prized for their feathers, and their eggs were gathered for the dinner table...
Read more

A century ago, Puffins were nearly eliminated from Maine as the colorful birds were prized for their feathers, and their eggs were gathered for the dinner table. In 1973, the Puffin Project was established in an attempt to bring them back to their historical range.

Although the project has been a resounding success, major threats still remain. Open air dumps in the 1900s caused an overpopulation of gulls, which competed for space on nesting islands, and they often preyed upon puffin chicks. Gulls remain a significant obstacle. Food resources are also in great peril. Overfishing and the elimination of spawning habitat has greatly diminished herring and other small fish species relied upon by the puffins. Climate change is warming the Gulf of Maine rapidly. ©Copyright 2023 Lorraine Palumbo. All Rights Reserved.

Read less