Great Gull Island is a small island located off the eastern end of Long Island in New York. Despite its small size, around 17 acres, Great Gull Island has a unique history and ecological importance. The island gets its name from the large colony of nesting seabirds, particularly Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls, that inhabit the island each summer. So in terms of permanent human residents, no, there are no people that live on Great Gull Island year-round. However, the island does have a rich human history and hosts seasonal researchers and volunteers who come to study the seabirds and conserve the island’s habitat.
Brief History of Human Activity on Great Gull Island
Great Gull Island has signs of native American activity dating back over 1,500 years ago. Archaeological evidence shows the island was used seasonally by Native Americans, likely drawn by the abundant bird population as a food source. The island was sold in 1775 by native American Chief Wyandanch to Sylvester Dering, although disputes over ownership continued for many years after.
In the late 1890s, Great Gull Island was bought by Colonel Augustus G. Paine Jr. and his wife. The Paine’s built a large vacation home on the island and cultivated gardens. They owned the island for over 30 years before selling it in the late 1920s. After changing hands a few more times, Great Gull Island was purchased in 1947 by Robert Cushman Murphy, an American ornithologist, to be maintained for conservation and research purposes. This began the island’s legacy as an important site for seabird research.
Seasonal Research and Conservation
Since Murphy’s purchase in 1947, Great Gull Island has been managed by non-profit organizations focused on seabird research and conservation. Today the island is owned and managed by the Great Gull Island Project, run by the American Museum of Natural History and other partners. The island hosts seasonal researchers, volunteers, and students who come to study the seabirds, monitor populations, and maintain the habitat each summer. While no one lives on the island year-round, this seasonal human activity continues the island’s legacy as an important site for seabird research and conservation.
Seabird Populations on Great Gull Island
The main attraction drawing seasonal researchers and volunteers to Great Gull Island each summer is the impressive populations of nesting seabirds. The island contains one of the largest colonies of Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls in North America. Researchers come to study these birds and other seabird species that nest on the island each summer, including:
Great Black-backed Gulls
– Over 2,000 pairs nesting per year. This is one of the largest colonies in North America.
Herring Gulls
– Around 2,500 pairs nesting per year. Also one of the largest colonies.
Common Terns
– The island supports over 5,000 pairs, one of the largest Common Tern colonies on the Atlantic Coast.
Other Species
– Smaller populations of several other seabird species nest on the island, including egrets, herons, Double-crested Cormorants, Black-crowned Night Herons, and more. The island provides important habitat for these coastal nesting birds.
Conservation Work and Research
The seasonal researchers and volunteers that come to Great Gull Island are involved in a number of conservation and research efforts focused on protecting the island habitat and studying the seabirds.
Habitat Management
Workers conduct vegetation surveys, remove invasive plants, and maintain water catchment systems used for drinking water. They also survey and maintain the island’s buildings and facilities.
Monitoring Nesting Birds
Detailed censuses are conducted to count and monitor the populations of nesting seabirds. This includes tracking the number of breeding pairs, nesting success, chick survival, and other population health indicators. Marking and banding birds is also used for tracking and research.
Diet and Foraging Research
The prey and foraging ecology of the seabirds are studied, including monitoring what prey species are being fed to chicks by adults. This research helps understand impacts on food chains.
| Seabird Species | Example Prey Species |
|---|---|
| Great Black-backed Gulls | Fish, crabs, mollusks |
| Herring Gulls | Fish, marine invertebrates |
| Common Terns | Small fish, shrimp, insects |
banding and Tracking
Tagging birds with bands that have unique identification numbers allows scientists to track migration routes and life spans of individual birds across years. More advanced satellite tags are also used on some birds to map detailed migration pathways and habitat use.
Importance of Seabird Research
The long-term seabird research and habitat conservation on Great Gull Island provides many scientific and environmental benefits, including:
– Better understanding of seabird population ecology, reproduction, and foraging dynamics.
– Tracking impacts of habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and other threats to seabirds.
– Insights into ocean health and fish populations that seabirds depend on.
– Public education and awareness about conservation challenges facing seabirds.
– Protection for threatened seabird breeding colonies.
– Training ground for ornithology and conservation students.
The seasonal human presence on Great Gull Island driven by seabird research and conservation continues to ensure the island remains an unspoiled refuge that supports critical nesting habitat. The knowledge gained ultimately helps protect not just the island’s seabirds but also ocean ecosystems and coastal habitats throughout the region.
Conclusion
While no permanent human residents occupy Great Gull Island year-round, the island has a long history of seasonal human activity focused on research, conservation, and education. Each summer, devoted researchers and volunteers flock to the island to live in rustic facilities while they work to study the seabirds, track populations, maintain habitat, and further the island’s legacy as a critical protected refuge for nesting colonies. This seasonal human presence helps ensure Great Gull Island remains an unspoiled seabird paradise. The conservation efforts and research advances driven by the island’s special seasonal population provide broader benefits for scientific knowledge, public awareness, and protection of marine ecosystems along the entire Atlantic coast.
