Machias Seal Island Lightstation
Machias Seal Island is a treeless 15-acre rock / bird sanctuary located in the Bay of Fundy approximately 18 kilometers south west of Grand Manan Island. An island claimed by both Canada and the United States, Canadians have maintained a light station there since 1832. Today two lightkeepers man the station for 28 day shifts. When their stint is finished two more keepers replace them for the next 28 days. Change-over is made by a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter. In summer months there is frequent company ... migratory birds, research biologists and birders.
Tour boats bring out bird watchers to the island from neighbouring ports in both Maine and New Brunswick. During nesting season the number of people allowed to land on the island each day is limited by the Canadian Wildlife Services. The most common breeding species are Arctic Terns, Puffins and Razorbills. Other sea-birds include Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Loons, Murres, Common Terns, Cormorants, Eiders, Gannets, Black-Backed Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Roseate Terns, Shearwaters and Petrels.
Off season it can be a bleak place, but for birders islands like this are always interesting. During and after wind storms it often offers safe haven to birds who get blown out of the normal envirionment. Know as a migrant trap, strays (from owls to cuckoos) often stay for a few days.
The Lighthouse Collection | Lighthouse Photographs | A Two Owl Day Biography Paul Cranford (lighthousekeeper Machias Seal Island)
LinksWhale Watch and Bird Tours to Machias Seal Island
- The Chief - John and Barna Norton, Jonesport, Maine
- The Barbara Frost - Bold Coast - Andy Patterson, Cutler, Maine
- Seawatcher - Preston and Peter Wilcox - Grand Manan
Links to other Lighthouse Sites
St. Paul Island | Henry Island
Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society
Grand Mannan Lighthouses
(includes more information on Machias Seal)
Cranford Pub Search Engine last upddate 7/14/2000