Seabird Institute

National Audubon Society

When people think of the Maine coast, they often think of lobster and the cute Atlantic Puffin. But did you know this small, unique-looking bird was nearly eliminated from Maine in the last two hundred years? Hunted for their meat and feathers and subjected to detrimental egg collection, the Atlantic Puffin was eliminated from all but one of their nesting islands in Maine by the late 1800s. Nearly 100 years later, a young scientist named Stephen Kress began an effort known as Project Puffin to restore puffins to Eastern Egg Rock. To restore the puffin colony in this location, a method called Social Attraction was developed in which decoys were installed to lure puffins to the island.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of seabird conservation with this Sips and Seabirds program led by the National Audubon Society’s Seabird Institute. In the Wilson Museum’s Hutchins Education Center, program attendees will paint their very own Least Tern decoy (a decoy used to restore seabird colonies worldwide) while learning about the remarkable story of Project Puffin and how research in the Gulf of Maine is impacting seabirds around the world. Complimentary beverages will be provided by the Wilson Museum.

Registration for the event is required and space is limited to 30 attendees.

• Individual Ticket ($40): Entry for one participant, one decoy, paint set. 

• Partner Tickets ($60): Entry for two participants, one decoy, paint set. 

Tickets can be purchased on the National Audubon Society’s Seabird Institute’s event page linked below.

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