The Vertebrate Fauna of Isle au Haut, Maine

Abstract

Isle au Haut, settled since 1792, is a remote of 4,700 acres in outer reaches of Penobscot Bay, Maine. Its historical background and environmental nature are briefly described. Listed are 5 species of freshwater fishes, 3 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 123 birds, and 15 mammals recorded there. These are based on observations and specimens collected during two weeks on in summer of 1963. Distributional implications of insular faunas such as this are discussed. INTRODUCTION Of myriad islands along Maine's drowned coastline, Isle au Haut, in outer waters of Penobscot Bay, in Knox County, is as remote from mainland as any except much smaller Monhegan, Machias Seal, and Matinicus islands, and Mount Desert Rock. Biologically, it has been explored only slightly. Since 1946, with large gift of land from heirs of Ernest W. Bowditch of Boston, major portion of Isle au Haut has been a part of Acadia National Park, although distant by 25 miles from headquarters area on Mount Desert Island. As yet has been little developed and pressure of summer tourists has not been felt. An inventory of fauna of Isle au Haut seems desirable, and this has been encouraged by Paul G. Favour, Jr., Park Naturalist based at Bar Harbor. As a result, it was my privilege to spend 12 days at Isle au Haut from July 24 to August 4, 1963. My son accompanied me during part of this time, and assisted with collections and observations over a large part of island. Local residents were most helpful and cooperative in providing information. The experience was delightful and unique, both sociologically and biologically. Incomplete as they necessarily were, after such a brief period on Isle au Haut, my findings are here presented as a basis from which future studies may be made. Acknowledgments.-Without assistance of many people this work would not have been accomplished. Paul G. Favour, Jr., helped with arrangements and expedited study in many ways. Much useful support was had from Pearl Prescott, Stanley E. Dodge, Virginia MacDonald, Lee 'Chapin, and Shirley J. Marine. Others who assisted in various ways (some identified by initials only in text) were following: Gordon 'Chapin (GC), Mabelle Chapin, Barbara D. DeWitt, George Greenlaw, Mrs. Fred Hoskins (FH), Ted Hoskins, Leon Liscomb, Bennie and Noyes MacDonald, Hollis Neville, and Milton Weller. To all of these I am deeply grateful. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Isle au Haut, sometimes called outermost island in Penobscot Bay, was known to Indians, who camped here in summer. In their shell heaps and burial sites are found remains of deer, otter, mink, muskrat, and waterfowl. Samuel de Champlain, exploring coast in 1604, gave spot its present name, the high island variously spelled as Ille Haulte and l'isle haute in 1613 and 1632 editions of Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France occidentale. The nearby