Bird Island (Massachusetts)



Bird Island is a tiny island in Buzzards Bay at the mouth of Sippican Harbor, less than a mile off the mainland coast of the town of Marion, Massachusetts, United States.

During the 1600s, Bird Island was used as a location to execute and gibbet pirates and other criminals.

Landmarks
The only landmarks on Bird Island are a flagpole and a historic 36 ft lighthouse. Bird Island Light was formerly staffed but now runs automatically. The Great New England Hurricane caused widespread destruction all along the south coast of New England. High tide in the evening of September 21, 1938, was 14 ft above normal. The great storm swept away every building on Bird Island except the lighthouse tower.

Flora and fauna
Bird Island is notable as a sanctuary and major breeding ground of the roseate tern, a bird from which the island gained its name.