EXTENSION TRIPS
For those arriving early or staying late
ABF is proud to offer
pre-fest and post-fest trips for those who wish to extend their birding
experience.
PRE-FESTIVAL
Monhegan Island Trip
June 1
(Wed) 6:30am - 5:30pm (starts and ends at The Monhegan Boat Line dock
in Port Clyde)
This pre-festival trip starts at the Monhegan Boat Line dock
in Port Clyde where we board the boat to Monhegan Island. Twelve miles
offshore, scenic Monhegan Island has long been recognized as a migrant
trap where anything might turn up, even species that you won't see
anywhere else in Maine! (Summer Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak,
and Dickcissel are all "regulars.") While much of the island is forested
conservation land laced with trails, the best birding is often in
the tiny village, where old apple trees and spruce stands serve as
the backdrop for warblers (20+ species is average) and a wide diversity
of other songbirds as they pass through. Atlantic Puffin and other
seabirds are possibilities on the boat trip out and back! This outing
is all on foot (2-3 miles) over easy to moderate trails and dirt roads,
with some uneven and
Tour guides are Doug Hitchcox and Kristen Lindquist. Participants
should bring binoculars, snacks, lunch, beverages, bug repellent,
sunscreen, and good hiking/walking shoes. Dress in layers as
it could be cold (especially on the ferry!). There will be some
opportunities to stop for food and refreshments at a few places on
the island. Keep in mind that the group will not have any place to
stash extra items, so be sure to bring a backpack or the equivalent
to carry extra clothing or food (if you bring you own).
Participants are responsible for purchasing
their own round-trip Monhegan Boat Line ferry tickets ($42)
out of Port Clyde for a 7:00am departure and 4:30pm return from Monhegan.
To purchase tickets, call (207) 372-8848 or visit
the Monhegan Boat Line website at https://monheganboat.com.
If you live far away, we recommend that you spend the night near Port
Clyde so you can easily meet the group at 6:30am at the Port
Clyde ferry dock. Port Clyde is over 2 hours from Festival
Center.
Fee is $70/person. Limit 10 participants.
Saddleback Mountain
in search of Bicknell's Thrush
June 1(Wednesday) 7am-2pm
This is a day trip at Saddleback Mountain. Bicknell’s Thrush
unique breeding ecology above 3000 feet requires a steady climb to
the barren bald peaks of Saddleback Mountain tucked away in the western
mountains of Maine. Many northern specialty birds will be found among
the rocky summit heaths and boreal krummholz ecosystems of the Rangeley
Lakes region, offering opportunities for a variety of hard to find
boreal species like Gray Jays, Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker.
We will study bird communication and ecology of the spruce and fir
forest and dwarf shrub summits where Nashville and Blackpoll Warblers,
Swainson’s Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo are calling from the spruce
zone.
Participants should bring snacks, lunch, beverages,
bug repellent and sunscreen. Dress in layers as it could be cold.
The trip starts and ends at Saddleback Mountain (approximately 3.5
hours from MDI), so we recommend you find a motel closer
to the mountain the night before the trip. There are
several lodging oportunities in Rangeley, only 15 minutes from the
mountain.
Tour guides are Michael Good, Dotty Doherty, and Jonathan Doherty.
This day trip requires 2-3 miles of hiking on steep ski slopes of
uneven terrain with rocks and roots (some hiking up slope but mostly
down the slopes with a drop in elevation of 2000ft). This
trip is only for those in very good physical walking shape
(walking sticks helpful). The group will be taken up the mountain
in ATVs, but descent will be by foot. Participants should bring binoculars,
snacks, lunch, beverages, bug repellent, sunscreen, and good hiking/walking
shoes. Dress in layers as it could be cold.
Fee is $90/person. Limit 10 participants.
Post-Festival
Bold Coast Birds and Boats (2-Day
Trip)
June 6(Monday) 6am - June 7 (Tuesday) 12pm
This one-and-a half day birding blitz along the northern coast of
Maine is designed to provide a fast but thorough immersion in one
of the most scenic corners of the country. We'll meet at the Machias
River Inn at 6am on June 6th and will end the day there at 7:00pm.
The second day will start again at 6am at Machias River Inn and will
end at Noon.
While this Bold Coast trip visits some of the same hotspots as the
Boreal Trip Downeast during the festival, this trip has the time and
opportunity to explore more of downeast Maine. Being based out of
Machias gives us the ability to both soak in the birds and the beauty
of the area and to spend additional time searching for target species.
We'll travel by van to all the secret hotspots in this vicinity, searching
for Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadees, and Gray Jays all while appreciating
the lovely coast of Maine! One of the highlights of this trip will
be a boat excursion out of Eastport, Maine, the easternmost city in
the United States, to view the massive Old Sow Whirlpool up close.
The boat trip will then continue to the southernmost nesting colony
of Black-legged Kittiwakes on Whitehorse Island. The kittiwake colony
will be very active at that time of year and there is potential for
up close views of whales and several species of seabirds.
Additionally, downeast Maine is more boreal than the areas around
Acadia National Park, increasing the chances of rare northern forest
species. This is also an area of extensive tidal mudflats and salt
marshes where we will look for shorebirds and Nelson's Sparrows. Imagine
scenery as spectacular as Acadia National Park, but without the crowds!
This trip will require slow walking on level roads and trails through
good habitat. Depending on recent weather, there may be some spots
that are muddy. Water resistant footwear is advised. Participants
should wear clothing appropriate for the time of year. Dawn temperatures
can start in the 40s in early June.
Participants should bring binoculars, lunch, and beverages. There
will also be multiple opportunities to stop for food and refreshments
at local convenience stores. Participants should make prior plans
for accommodation either at the Machias River Inn or elsewhere in
Machias on the night of June 6th. The night before the trip could
either be spent in Machias (recommended), or travel up the coast from
Acadia to meet the group early that morning. The trip ends at noon
on June 7th, allowing plenty of time to make it back that day to Mt.
Desert Island or Bangor, both 1.5 hours away, or even Portland. Better
yet, stay and enjoy the Bold Coast for a bit longer.
Tour guide is Cameron Cox. Fee is $170/person. Limit
10 participants. Participants interested in staying at the
Machias
River Inn may make their own reservations directly with
the inn at 207-255-4861. Other accommodations are nearby. Trip
starts at 6am at the Machias River Inn on June 6th and ends there
at 12pm on June 7th.
