Notes on a Fall Migration at Matinicus Rock, Maine

Abstract

MUCH attention has been given to Matinicus Rock in the Gulf of Maine because of its nesting colonies of petrels, puffins, gulls, and terns, but I am unable to find any recorded observations of the fall migration there. Because of its strategic position at the southeast corner of the island group off Penobscot Bay, it seemed surely indicated that brisk northwest winds would blow many land birds out to it. Ludlow Griscom had often spoken of the islet, and remarked on the probability of many stragglers touching on such an outlying spot. Spurred on by his encouragement I set about preparations for a stay on the Rock, first obtaining permission from the Coast Guard to live there in one of the small 'war surplus' (World War I) buildings. Ludlow Griscom, Josselyn Van Tyne, and the late Francis H. Allen were kind enough to read this manuscript and have made many valuable comments of which, together with their friendship and encouragement, I am most appreciative. Landing on the Rock is possible only in good weather, and then only by means of a boat slip on the west side, which is used principally by the Coast Guard. The lobstermen who tend their traps all about this area avoid the slip. A LIFE photographer lost all his gear and cameras in attempting a landing in 1948, and near the end of my stay one of the Coast Guard boys was drowned while attempting a landing. My observations extend from August 27 to September 11, 1949. Matinicus Rock is situated at Latitude 430 47' N. and Longitude 680 51.3' W., and is the southeasternmost of the Fox Islands off Penobscot Bay. It is 25 acres in total area, roughly egg-shaped, with the longest dimension northeast to southwest. The widest (also the highest) part is about three-quarters of the distance southwest from the northeast end. With the exception of a little turf on the north side, the islet is a bare rock ridge lifting out of the sea at the northeast end and gradually rising, until after reaching a height of 42 feet at the widest part it drops perhaps 5 to 8 feet for the last 50 yards, and then descends suddenly into the sea. The entire east side is precipitous. The north side shelves off more gradually, with various subsidiary ridges running northwest at right angles to the principal one. Between these smaller ridges are turf areas where the petrels and puffins nest. Also on the north side, and cut off at high tide,