Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Atlantic puffins and razorbills on Seal Island
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 Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Knox County, Maine, United States |
| Nearest city | Vinalhaven, Maine |
| Area | 65 acres (26 ha) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge |
Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special island about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) long, located off the coast of Maine, United States. It is part of the larger Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This island is a very important home for many different kinds of seabirds.
Amazing Birds and Wildlife
Every summer, scientists and researchers visit Seal Island. They often see more than 100 different types of birds! The island is a safe place for large groups of seabirds to live and raise their young.
Some of the cool birds you might find here include:
- Atlantic puffins: These birds are sometimes called "sea parrots" because of their colorful beaks.
- Double-crested cormorants: These birds are great at diving for fish.
- Razorbills: They look a bit like penguins and are also excellent swimmers.
- Leach's storm petrels: Small seabirds that fly over the ocean.
- Eiders: Large sea ducks known for their soft feathers.
- Black guillemots: These birds have striking black and white feathers.
Seal Island is also a very important spot for the great cormorant. In 2018, about 35 pairs of these birds were found here. This shows how vital the island is for protecting different bird species. The island has also seen a return of many Arctic terns and common terns, which are graceful birds known for their long migrations.
A Look at Seal Island's History
Before it became a wildlife refuge, Seal Island had a different role. During the Cold War, which was a period of tension between countries, the United States Navy used the island. It was a place where they practiced shooting and bombing.
Because of this history, some old, unexploded items from those tests are still on the island. However, these items do not pose a danger to the people who work or study there. Some of these items were even set off by a fire that happened in the late 1970s.
About the Island's Size
Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge covers an area of about 65 acres (26 hectares). To give you an idea, that's about the size of 50 football fields! The island is officially part of the town of Vinalhaven, Maine.
