The habitat requirements for nesting birds during the entire annual cycle 

 should be determined. Roosting and feeding areas should be identified for 

 those species which are permanent residents. Likewise, concentration areas 

 for migrant shorebirds and wintering seabirds should be delineated. Baseline 

 information on food availability and utilization for each species should be 

 gathered. 



PROTECTION OF WATERBIRD COLONIES 



Human Activity . Human activity should be restricted in the vicinity of 

 waterbird colonies from 1 May to 15 July for most birds and even later for 

 terns. Activities which disturb the nesting habitat should be discouraged. 

 Pets and domestic livestock should not be permitted to roam over islands 

 during the nesting seasons. 



An educational program to inform the general public, conservation 

 groups and agencies should be initiated. The booklet by P. and F, Buckley 

 (1976) could serve as a model. Owners of colony sites should be contacted 

 to acquaint them of the importance of their land to a nesting population. 

 Private landowners should be encouraged to restrict activity on their 

 property during the nesting season. Signs near colony sites informing 

 the public of the island's use by birds should be erected. 



Acquisition . Acquisition programs should endeavor to preserve as many 

 optimum nesting sites as possible for each species. Wherever possible 

 clusters of islands, islets, ledges, and beaches should be acquired to provide 

 for colony expansion and also serve as a buffer from human disturbance. 

 Active and potential colony sites should be evaluated to provide a diversity 

 of nesting habitat in the future for all species. 



Cooperative agreements for management of waterbird colonies between 

 Federal agencies and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 

 should be encouraged. Leases and easements of publicly-owned colony sites 

 to private individuals or groups should not be allowed. Property title to a 

 colony site should be given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maine 

 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife directly. These agencies should 

 encourage this type of donation. 



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