Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States
Location	Knox County, Maine, United States
Nearest city	Friendship, Maine
Area	12 acres (4.9 ha)
Established	1973
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge

Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special place for wildlife in Maine. It is located on Franklin Island, just off the coast in Muscongus Bay. This refuge is one of five important areas that form the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The other refuges are Petit Manan, Cross Island, Seal Island, and Pond Island.

Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge is quite small. It covers about 12 acres (or 4.9 hectares). This makes it one of the smallest wildlife refuges in the entire United States. The island is part of the town of Friendship.

A Look at Franklin Island's Past

Franklin Island has a long and interesting history. The United States government bought the island in 1806. Soon after, they built the Franklin Island Light in 1808. This was only the third lighthouse ever built in Maine.

The lighthouse helped guide ships safely for many years. People called lighthouse keepers lived and worked there for 160 years. In 1967, the lighthouse became automated, meaning it could run on its own. No one needed to live there anymore.

How the Refuge Was Created

In 1973, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took over Franklin Island. This made it the first island added to what would become the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The goal was to protect the island's natural environment and the animals living there.

Wildlife on Franklin Island

Franklin Island is a vital home for many seabirds. It used to have one of the biggest groups of common eider ducks in Maine. These ducks are known for their soft feathers, called eiderdown.

Challenges for the Birds

Sadly, in the mid-1980s, a sickness called avian cholera greatly reduced the number of eider ducks. This was a very difficult time for the bird colony.

Recovery and New Life

Since then, the bird population has slowly started to grow back. A survey in 2003 showed good news. There were over 330 pairs of eider ducks living on the island again. The survey also found more than 100 pairs of great black-backed gulls and herring gulls. These birds often nest on the island.

Visiting Franklin Island

To protect the nesting seabirds, Franklin Island is closed to visitors during certain months. You cannot visit the island from April through August. This quiet time helps the birds lay their eggs and raise their young without being disturbed.

However, you can visit Franklin Island during daylight hours for the rest of the year. It's a great place to see nature when the birds are not nesting.