Hello,
This is Hayden here, I will be working with Liz and Hannah on Metinic this summer. I am an undergrad at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, but I originally grew up in Oregon. This marks my third field job, as I have previously worked in Wyoming surveying butterflies and on Kure Atoll doing habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring. On Kure I became fascinated with seabirds and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to live on a seabird island again and to learn about the unique species here!
![](https://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240519_085108.jpg?w=1024)
Today marks our eleventh full day on Metinic, and each successive day I gradually become more familiar with the lay of the land and the species that live here. I have been very impressed so far with the sheer diversity of habitat types and creatures on the island, and it feels like even as I learn more there remains much to be discovered.
Each morning we see greater numbers of terns flocking around the northern point of the island. We have started observing them in the bird blinds daily to get a closer look at their behavior, and have noticed some interesting things. For instance, here is a male Arctic Tern with a euphausiid in its bill attempting to attract a female for courtship.
![](https://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/p1050069.jpg?w=1024)
We have also been seeing a variety of shorebirds, including this Black-bellied Plover.
![](https://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/p1050447e.jpg?w=1024)
And we were delighted to discover a few little Killdeer chicks scampering about the other day.
![](https://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/p1040895.jpg?w=1024)
Not to mention all of the passerines that Metinic hosts, such as this vivid Indigo Bunting.
![](https://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/p1050460.jpg?w=1024)
So far, what remains predictable about Metinic has been its ability to surprise us with new sights and sounds. I can’t wait to find out what more the island has in store for us!
Until next time, Hayden
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