Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge

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Address
  
Rockport, MA 01966, USA

Phone
  
+1 978-465-5753

Area
  
9 ha

Established
  
1972

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge

Location
  
Thacher Island, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest city
  
Rockport, Massachusetts

Governing body
  
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Website
  
Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge

Management
  
United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Similar
  
Nomans Land Island Na, Massasoit National Wildlife R, Gardner Heritage State Park, Cormier Woods, Menemsha Hills

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located on Thacher Island near Rockport, Massachusetts. It is managed under the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently does not offer any interpretive facilities or programs at Thacher Island Refuge. A foot trail meanders through shrub/thicket, rocky outcrop and other island habitats and affords opportunities to observe and/or photograph birds and other island and offshore wildlife.

The refuge has a surface area of 22 acres (0.089 km2).

Wildlife & HabitatEdit

Thacher Island is home to herring and great black-backed gulls. The refuge serves as a stopover site for songbirds and other migrants to rest and feed during their seasonal migration. Off-shore habitats are used by seals, waterfowl, loons, grebes, cormorants, and alcids.

Historically, the island served as nesting grounds for several species of terns, but over the years it has been overrun by the gulls. Still, Thacher Island has the potential to be re-established as a prime nesting area. The habitat remains ideal for tern breeding. Nesting terns are currently supported on islands strategically located to the north and south of the Thacher Island, and could be attracted to re-establish nesting colonies on the island.

References

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge Wikipedia