Olive-sided Flycatchers are scarce but widely distributed in northern New England. Photo: Parker Backstrom
This tour visits one of the most beautiful and sparsely populated areas in North America near the time of peak breeding bird activity. Maine is at the crossroads of the North American avifauna, as many species reach their northernmost or southernmost breeding ranges here. We’ll spend time with both of these groups of birds, with the focus being on the “boreal specialties” that are mostly found farther north. Off the coast, tiny rock islands teem with life as thousands of seabirds begin their nesting season. During our visit to Machias Seal Island, we’ll see Arctic Terns, Razorbills, Atlantic Puffins, and other species literally at arm’s length. Shearwaters and storm-petrels may be numerous off shore, and several species of whales are possible. The White Mountains of New Hampshire are famous for their rich variety of breeding passerines, including the very local Bicknell’s Thrush. In all we can hope to see up to 25 species of warbler, nine species of flycatcher, seven species of thrush, and four species of alcid. Although the avian spectacle is reason enough to visit New England, the rugged, rocky coastline, picturesque lighthouses, quaint fishing towns, classic New England villages, the tallest mountains in the northeastern US, and excellent cuisine (the lobster doesn’t get any fresher than this!) are all a major part of the tour.
Day 1: The tour begins at 6:00 pm in Portland. Night in Portland.
Day 2: We’ll begin at Scarborough Marsh, the largest saltmarsh north of Massachusetts, well known for its healthy population of both Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows. In addition to studying the differences between the two “sharp-tailed” sparrows, we’ll search for other marsh and coastal species including herons, “Eastern” Willet, Least Tern, Piping Plover, and lingering or early migrant shorebirds possibly including White-rumped Sandpiper.
Then it’s off to the more than 600 acres of unique blueberry barrens on the Kennebunk Plains, where we’ll look for grassland sparrows such as Grasshopper, Vesper, Field, and hopefully Clay-colored, as well as Upland Sandpiper and Prairie Warbler. We’ll then stop at the nearby Sanford sewage facility to check for lingering shorebirds, breeding ducks, or rarities. We’ll spend the rest of the day focusing on local breeders such as Orchard Oriole or any rarities around the Greater Portland area. We’ll visit the famous LL Bean flagship store and the world’s largest rotating globe, as we relax before a waterside lobster dinner. Night in Portland.
Day 3: As we head for the hills, we’ll take some time to explore another ecologically rich habitat, Brownfield Bog. A number of species reach their northern limits in southwestern Maine, and we’ll seek a few of these here, such as Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos.
Pondicherry NWR in New Hampshire is our next stop, and our first chance at such boreal specialties as Black-backed Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. An enjoyable, and easy, ride up the Wildcat Mountain Gondola will drop us into the realm of the ethereal Bicknell’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler. Later in the evening, we’ll take a special after-hours charter up the Mount Washington Auto Road for Bicknell’s Thrush just below treeline. If time permits, we’ll visit the summit of Mount Washington for breeding American Pipits and the sunset from the “windiest place on earth.” Night in Gorham, New Hampshire.
Day 4: In the morning we’ll visit a number of locations around the White Mountain National Forest for boreal breeders such as Boreal Chickadee and Swainson’s Thrush; we’ll probably also make another trip up Mount Washington for some more quality time with Bicknell’s Thrushes. Returning to Maine, we’ll make roadside stops for targets such as Mourning Warbler before we arrive in the Rangeley area, where we’ll look for Cape May Warbler and Spruce Grouse. Night in Rangeley.
Day 5: Our primary destination is the famous “Boy Scout Road,” a flat dirt road that passes through fine boreal and riparian habitat. Yellow-bellied, Olive-sided, and Alder Flycatchers, along with Bay-breasted and Tennessee Warblers, are particular targets here.
After we’ve thoroughly worked the Rangeley area, we’ll visit Messalonskee Lake, which hosts a Black Tern colony and one of the few Purple Martin colonies remaining in the state. We’ll then make a sharp turn and head way “Downeast,” making birding stops as time allows. Night in Machias.
Day 6: They don’t call this the “Bold Coast” for nothing, and this unforgettable region will provide some of the trip’s biggest prizes. After a stop in search of Spruce Grouse, we’ll meet up with Captain Andy Patterson for a short ride out to the legendary Machias Seal Island. Seas permitting, Andy will guide us to shore, where we’ll walk on safe, raised walkways through a boisterous colony of Arctic and Common Terns out to blinds where we’ll find ourselves face to beak with Atlantic Puffins, Common Murres, and Razorbills.
More great birding awaits when we return to the mainland. After touring the Bold Coast, we’ll visit West Quoddy Head, easternmost point in the United States; Quoddy Head State Park should produce Palm Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and, hopefully, Great Cormorant. Night in Machias.
Day 7: Today’s first stop will find us across the border, on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, where we’ll look for Gray Jays and Boreal Chickadees as we savor the magnificent forests and coastline and the impressive summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We may also return to Quoddy Head State Park and check out the Lubec flats for early-returning shorebirds. Other short stops around Lubec and Machias will help us “clean up” any missing boreal specialties before we head down to Bar Harbor. Night in Bar Harbor.
Day 8: Today we’ll visit the stunning landscapes of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. The gardens of Sieur de Monts will let us brush up on our plant ID and on our deciduous forest warblers, then we’ll board a boat for Petit Manan, part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Common Murres, Black Guillemots, and Common, Arctic, and Roseate Terns can all be seen here; after we’ve had our fill, we’ll head towards “the Ballpark,” a rich area of upwelling that is likely to yield Minke and Fin Whales, Sooty, Greater, and hopefully Manx Shearwaters, and Wilson’s Storm-Petrel.
Afterwards, we’ll head to the quaint and quieter southwest part of the island for any boreal birds that we’re still seeking, then make an afternoon foray up Cadillac Mountain for its breathtaking views. Night in Bar Harbor.
Day 9: Park Loop Road takes us through Acadia National Park’s postcard-worth scenery, and should also yield Peregrine Falcons and such deciduous-loving passerines as Black-throated Blue Warbler and Wood Thrush. We’ll then start the return journey to Portland, with time along to the way to chase any rarities or any breeders we might have missed. Night in South Portland.
Day 10: The tour concludes this morning in South Portland.
Updated: 03 August 2009
Prices
- 2011 price not yet available
- (2010 price $3,190)
Notes
Maximum group size seven with one leader, 14 with two leaders.