Name and Location

Bird Island Light stands on Bird Island, a small rocky outcrop off the entrance to Sippican Harbor and Buzzards Bay in Marion, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The island's coordinates are 41.6692995 N, 70.7173225 W.

Construction and History

The light station was first commissioned in the early 19th century (commonly cited as 1819). It was officially discontinued in 1933 when other navigational aids replaced it. Throughout its operational years, the keepers endured severe storms and isolation, with shipwrecks near the island underscoring its importance as a warning station.

Architecture and Materials

The original tower was a cylindrical brick structure attached to a keeper's dwelling made of masonry and wood. The tower itself stood approximately 35 feet tall, while the focal plane was estimated around 50 feet above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic was Fl W 6 s (flashing white every six seconds), with a range listed as 9 nautical miles in early lighthouse lists. The original lens was likely a 5th-order Fresnel lens, although exact records are fragmentary.

Accessibility and Visiting

The island is closed to visitors year-round; there is no dock or landing facility. The best way to view the lighthouse is from a boat tour of Buzzards Bay or from shoreline viewpoints in Marion Harbor and nearby yacht clubs.

Notable Views and Landscape

Surrounding waters are part of a rich marine ecosystem, including shellfish grounds and waterfowl habitat. Roseate terns, common terns, and other migratory seabirds inhabit the island, making it a sanctuary for these species.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore available at this time.

Technical and Operational Details

The light station was managed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service until deactivation, and then by the Massachusetts Audubon Society as a wildlife refuge lease. Nautical charts include NOAA Chart 13213 (Buzzards Bay – Woods Hole to Plymouth). There is no AIS/Radar installed; navigation now guided by offshore buoys and automated beacons.

Further Information

For further reading and references, please consult U.S. Coast Guard Light List (historical editions), Massachusetts Audubon Society's "Bird Island Reservation" webpage, NOAA Office of Coast Survey Chart 13213, Wikidata entry Q4915874: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4915874, and Wikipedia (if available): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_Island_Light_(Marion,_Massachusetts).