Bird Island Light

Bird Island Light is a navigational lighthouse in Sippican Harbor, Massachusetts. The tower is made of stone and rises above the water with a cast iron lantern chamber at its top.

The lighthouse was built in 1819 and served as an important navigation aid for ships for over a century. The US Coast Guard deactivated it in 1933 when it was no longer needed for maritime navigation.

The island serves as a crucial nesting site for endangered roseate terns that return each spring to breed in this protected location. Visitors can witness the local importance of this place as a sanctuary for these rare seabirds.

Access to the island requires a boat, so visitors should plan ahead before making the trip. Visiting may be restricted during certain times, especially when seabirds are nesting.

The tower survived multiple powerful storms, including a devastating one in 1869 and the New England Hurricane of 1938. During that hurricane, all other buildings on the island were destroyed, yet this stone structure remained standing.

GPS coordinates: 41.66930,-70.71732

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:03