Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge is a

National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge System is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the system of public lands and waters set aside to c ...

located on Thacher Island near Rockport, Massachusetts. It is managed under the

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary encompassing the majority of Plum Island in northeastern Essex County, Massachusetts, 5 miles southeast of Newburyport. It was established in 1942 primarily to provide feeding, rest ...

. 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 A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...

/ 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 .USFWS Lands Report, 30 September 2007
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Wildlife & Habitat

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

Refuge website
Protected areas of Essex County, Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuges in Massachusetts Rockport, Massachusetts 1972 establishments in Massachusetts Protected areas established in 1972 {{EssexCountyMA-geo-stub