Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 primarily to provide feeding, resting and nesting habitat for migratory birds. It occupies the northern 22 acres of 52-acre Thacher Island located approximately one mile off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts.

The refuge and adjacent Town of Rockport property consists of cobble beach, rocky outcrop, grass, and shrub/thicket habitats. It currently supports both herring and great black-backed gulls as nesting species and serves as a resting and refueling stopover site for songbirds and other migrants. Among other wildlife, off-shore use occurs by seals, waterfowl, loons, grebes, cormorants and alcids.

The refuge is located approximately 30 miles north of Boston. Access to the refuge is by boat only. A boat ramp is available on the west side of the island on Town of Rockport property. During the summer months the Thacher Island Association operates a boat to the island out of Rockport. Contact the Association at Box 73, Rockport, MA 01966. http://www.thacherisland.org.