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 at a time of peak breeding bird activity. The White Mountains and Connecticut Lakes of New Hampshire are famous for their rich variety of breeding passerines, including the very local Bicknell’s Thrush. Off the coast of Maine, tiny rock islands are teaming 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 in the offshore waters and several species of whales are possible. 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 U.S., and excellent cuisine (especially seafood and pies!) will make it difficult to leave.
Day 1: The tour begins at 6 p.m. in Portland. Night in Portland.
Day 2: We’ll begin at Scarborough Marsh, Maine’s largest salt marsh, which is famous for its healthy population of both Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows. In addition to studying the differences between these two sparrows, we’ll search for other marsh species including a variety of waterfowl, herons, Willet, and any lingering shorebird migrants that may be present. We’ll continue on to the blueberry barrens at Kennebunk Plains, a 600-acre grassland that supports a unique assemblage of breeding birds. Nesting species include Upland Sandpiper, Eastern Bluebird, Vesper, Grasshopper, and Field Sparrows, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark. Recently, there have also been a few Clay-colored Sparrows summering here, potentially the easternmost breeding outpost for this species. In nearby forested areas, we look for a variety of “southern” species including Black-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the White Mountains and begin our search for a whole new suite of species. Night in Gorham.
Day 3: The spectacular White Mountains, with their extensive conifer and hardwood forests, bogs, waterfalls and breathtaking views, support a very rich breeding avifauna. The great altitudinal range found there results in a substantial variation in climate and habitats, all of which can be sampled via roads and short hikes. Mount Washington, at 6288 feet, is the tallest mountain in the northeastern U.S., and it supports a limited alpine zone frequented by nesting American Pipits. Just below, in the “Krummholz” vegetation near timberline, is found the very local Bicknell’s Thrush, which in June will be singing its ethereal song at dawn and dusk. We’ll make a special “sunset tour” up Mt. Washington to search for this species. The more widespread boreal forest and bog habitat of spruce and fir found between 2500 and 4500 feet supports Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Blue-headed Vireo, and Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll Warblers. Lower still, in the mixed, broad-leaved forests and thickets are found Broad-winged Hawk, Least Flycatcher, Veery, Philadelphia Vireo, and many warblers including Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green. We’ll sample all elevations during our stay, with a special emphasis on Bicknell’s Thrush and other boreal breeders found in this region. Night in Gorham.
Day 4: Today we’ll drive north to the Connecticut Lakes region of extreme northern New Hampshire, making a stop en route in the Moose Bog area of northeastern Vermont. Here in the “North Country” wilderness region of northernmost New England—with its river-bottom pastures, stands of dense spruce and fir, birch, and alder-lined streams and bogs—we’ll search along level trails and logging roads for such special boreal forest breeders as Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, and Rusty Blackbird. Other species found here include Common Loon, Ruffed Grouse, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Alder Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Bay-breasted, Mourning and Wilson’s Warblers, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills are possible and Moose are fairly common. Night in Gorham.
Day 5: After a final early morning of birding in the White Mountains, targeting any species we may have missed, we’ll head east across central Maine. Passing through many interior New England villages and towns, we’ll make stops along the way for nesting Black Tern, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Baltimore Oriole before ending up along the coast of “Downeast Maine” at Machias. Night in Machias.
Days 6-7: The town of Machias will be our base for exploring easternmost Maine. On the first day we’ll drive to Cutler, where we’ll witness spectacular tidal changes. We’ll take the relatively short boat trip to Machias Seal Island, an outstanding seabird colony supporting thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Arctic Terns, as well as smaller numbers of Common Murres. Because we can sometimes land on the island and there is a blind, photographic opportunities could be wonderful. The crossing to the island is usually rich with seabirds and should introduce us to our first Northern Gannets and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, and possibly Pomarine or Parasitic Jaeger.
On the following day we’ll search out any boreal species such as Spruce Grouse that we may have missed earlier in the trip. We’ll also cross the border into New Brunswick, Canada, to visit the forests and spectacular coastline at Roosevelt-Campobello Island International Park in search of many warblers including Palm and Canada. The area of Passamaquoddy Bay, Head Harbor Passage, and Quoddy Head State Park are frequented by Common Eider, Common Raven, Cape May Warbler, Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and often summering Great Cormorant and Black-legged Kittiwake. We’ll also visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt summer home and make a dusk outing for American Woodcock. Nights in Machias.
Day 8: After a final early morning of birding in the Machias area, we’ll drive down the coast about two hours to Bar Harbor. From there we’ll take a half-day seabird and whale-watching trip to Petit Manan Island and offshore waters. Petit Manan supports several of the same species that breed on Machias Seal Island, as well as Roseate Tern and Laughing Gull. The waters nearby are good for shearwaters, storm-petrels and summering Northern Gannets. We should have excellent views of whales, possibly including Fin, Minke and Humpback, and Harbor Porpoise may be numerous. Night in Bar Harbor.
Day 9: The Mount Desert Island/Acadia National Park region is quintessential coastal New England. Much of the island is national park land, forested and frequented by some 20 species of breeding warblers, as well as flycatchers and thrushes, with beautiful lakes haunted by the calls of nesting Common Loons, granitic mountains rounded off by Pleistocene glaciers and wild, rocky shorelines. And the seafood and berry pies are divine. The nearshore waters are rich in marine life, and avian species include eiders, Bald Eagle and Black Guillemot. Other possibilities include Peregrine Falcon, Pileated Woodpecker and White-winged Crossbill. Night in Bar Harbor.
Day 10: Today we’ll head southwest down the coast, stopping along the way to look for any target species that we may have missed. Our day will likely begin in a marsh outside Bangor where Sora and Virginia Rail occur. We’ll also visit one of several small beaches to look for Piping Plover and Least Tern. The southern Maine coast will provide a beautiful backdrop for our day’s birding. Night in Portland.
Day 11: The tour concludes this morning in Portland.
Updated: 01 July 2007
Prices
- 2008 price about $3,250
- Single Occupancy Supplement $400
Notes
Maximum group size seven with one leader; 14 with two leaders.