Winged Migration: Birding in Acadia National Park and Downeast Maine
Highlights
- Visit Acadia National Park and Downeast Maine
- See migratory bird species, plus seals and whales
- Listen to guides weave bird ID with natural history
Includes
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Hotel lodging and no meal preparation
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On-trip transportation
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Daily talks about bird conservation efforts
Overview
The Trip
Downeast Maine and Acadia National Park (NP) provide nature lovers a chance to experience the wonder of bird migration while immersed in breathtaking scenery. In addition to a variety of shorebirds winging their way south from the Arctic, sea ducks and throngs of gulls mingle where minke whales frequent the nutrient-rich waters between the U.S. and Canada. On land, songbirds such as warblers, vireos, and sparrows forage for insects and seeds where they are joined by boreal species like red and white-winged crossbills. We’ll have the opportunity to look for spruce grouse and upland sandpiper as we visit their habitats. Experienced and beginner birders of all ages are welcome to participate. The stunning coastal scenery in addition to great birds is a combination that will make for an unforgettable trip
The Trip
Downeast Maine and Acadia National Park (NP) provide nature lovers a chance to experience the wonder of bird migration while immersed in breathtaking scenery. In addition to a variety of shorebirds winging their way south from the Arctic, sea ducks and throngs of gulls mingle where minke whales frequent the nutrient-rich waters between the U.S. and Canada. On land, songbirds such as warblers, vireos, and sparrows forage for insects and seeds where they are joined by boreal species like red and white-winged crossbills. We’ll have the opportunity to look for spruce grouse and upland sandpiper as we visit their habitats. Experienced and beginner birders of all ages are welcome to participate. The stunning coastal scenery in addition to great birds is a combination that will make for an unforgettable trip!
The Wabanaki, "People of the Dawnland," have inhabited the land we call Maine for millennia. The four Indian tribes are the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy. Each community maintains its own tribal government, community schools, and cultural center and each manages its respective lands and natural resources. They are the stewards of this land and have a unique and spiritual relationship with this place. We acknowledge the Wabanaki and graciously thank them for the opportunity to visit their homeland.
Visitors from across the globe travel to Acadia NP and the rest of Downeast Maine to view the mountains, cliffs, and wild, rocky coast. The region’s forests are located in a transition zone between northern and southern climates, which provide an ideal setting to observe birds form both climates. We will experience some of the East Coast’s most stunning scenic habitat and most alluring bird species.
Over 450 species of birds have been seen in Maine. Based on past experience, our goal is to identify nearly 100 different species during the trip. We may only see a fleeting glimpse of some, but others will be more lasting. We will get a very good look through spotting scopes at the ones that cooperate, and distinguish them from other species, sometimes determining which are the males and the females, adult or immature. Nature photographers should bring their best camera to capture the photogenic birds.
In late summer, the beaches flood with migrating shorebirds, and the offshore waters fill with pelagic species. Meanwhile, some subarctic breeders begin winging their way to their wintering areas in August and September. We hope to see a dozen warbler species, gulls, sea ducks; such as common eiders and black guillemots; boreal chickadees, spruce grouse, thrushes, great blue herons, common loons, bald eagles, osprey, ravens, razorbills, black-legged kittiwakes, great and sooty shearwaters, plovers, and many more.
Our group will begin the trip at the Schoodic Institute on the eastern edge of Acadia National Park, a region of islands and peninsulas where mountains rise next to the sea. This ever-changing mosaic of different landscapes, with varied topography and climate, supports a unique diversity of flora and fauna.
Schoodic Institute, a non-profit organization, was created as Acadia National Park’s primary partner in science and education. They manage the largest NP Service Research Learning Center and are national leaders in the development of new techniques to involve the public in science and conservation. Public participation in scientific research (citizen science) is a critical component of Schoodic Institute’s mission. The primary focus of our trip will be to spot and identify birds, but we shall contribute to research efforts by submitting our consolidated observations using the eBird app.
After a few days at Acadia NP we will head further Downeast to the Canadian border to view endemic and migrating birds in forests, bogs, fields, and mudflats. The area above Acadia NP is the quintessential Downeast Maine experience. Small fishing villages dot the coastline. While Acadia's shoreline is rockbound, mudflats become more prevalent, and shorebirds become abundant. This is the time of year when they are migrating through Maine, often in big numbers.
On the last day we will return to Acadia NP.
Join this trip if you:
- enjoy watching birds in your backyard and want to see and learn more about birds.
- want to spot boreal birds in the U.S.
- would like an introduction to an important citizen science project.
- want to experience the beauty of the very popular and less crowded parts of the Maine coastline.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrive at Schoodic Institute’s visitor center at 3 p.m. to meet the leaders, check in, and get room assignments. Specific directions and other instructions will be sent to each participant before the start of the trip. We will gather at 4 p.m. for introductions, an overview of the trip, and a short bird walk. At 6 p.m. we will eat a delicious dinner in the dining facility and hear about the plans for the next day.
Day 2 (Monday): An optional, but recommended bird walk will begin at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. in the dining facility. After breakfast we will walk or ride in a van to local birding hotspots. Bag lunches and water will be provided. Dinner at the dining facility will begin at 6 p.m. As dinner winds down we will discuss the factors impacting bird populations, review the bird species spotted during the day, and talk about the plans for the next day
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrive at Schoodic Institute’s visitor center at 3 p.m. to meet the leaders, check in, and get room assignments. Specific directions and other instructions will be sent to each participant before the start of the trip. We will gather at 4 p.m. for introductions, an overview of the trip, and a short bird walk. At 6 p.m. we will eat a delicious dinner in the dining facility and hear about the plans for the next day.
Day 2 (Monday): An optional, but recommended bird walk will begin at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. in the dining facility. After breakfast we will walk or ride in a van to local birding hotspots. Bag lunches and water will be provided. Dinner at the dining facility will begin at 6 p.m. As dinner winds down we will discuss the factors impacting bird populations, review the bird species spotted during the day, and talk about the plans for the next day.
Day 3 (Tuesday): The optional early bird walk will begin at 6 a.m. and breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. We will depart for the day in a van to visit several locations on Mount Desert Island, where the majority of Acadia NP is located. Bag lunches and water will travel with us. We will return to the Schoodic Institute campus before dinner at 6 p.m. During dinner we will discuss successful bird conservation efforts, review the bird species identified during the day, and plan the next day.
Day 4 (Wednesday): The optional early bird walk will take place before breakfast at 7 a.m. We will pack the van with our luggage and bird our way down the coast to Lubec near the Canadian border. If we are successful, spruce grouse will be added to our species list along the way. We will also visit Quoddy Head State Park with its iconic lighthouse and great ocean views to look for boreal species, razorbills, and guillemots. Once in Lubec we will check into our hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 (Thursday): The optional early birding walk in the easternmost town of the U.S. will take place next to the hotel. After breakfast we will travel to a local harbor and board a private boat for a narrated excursion to observe wildlife in Head Harbor Passage, a deep water channel between the U.S. and Canada that is famous for the Old Sow Whirlpool. Sea life congregates in this channel -- minke whales are usually sighted, along with Bonaparte's gulls, black-legged kittiwakes, common eiders, black guillemots, and razorbills, feeding off mackerel and herring. Lunch will be picked up at a local deli. We will visit several other birding hotspots in the afternoon. Dinner will be in a local restaurant, where we will recount the birds spotted during the day.
Day 6 (Friday): We check out of the hotel after breakfast and begin our van ride back to Acadia National Park, stopping at wild blueberry barrens, where vesper sparrows and upland sandpipers spend their summer. Lunch will be back at Schoodic Institute, after which we will do a final summary of birds and wish everyone safe travel home. The trip ends at 2 p.m.
Weather and other factors, such as group preferences, may affect the location and birding activities.
If you wish to explore Acadia National Park, Downeast Maine, and the broader Northeast region, please plan to arrive a few days earlier or stay after the outing. Unfortunately, housing at Schoodic Institute during the summer is very limited and accommodations cannot be extended beyond our trip dates.
Logistics
Getting There
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leaders.
Schoodic Institute is located on Schoodic Point, in Acadia National Park in the town of Winter Harbor, Maine. Approximate driving times to the Schoodic Institute:
- 10 minutes from Winter Harbor
- 45 minutes from Ellsworth
- 1 hour from Bar Harbor
- 1.5 hours from Bangor
- 3.5 hours from Portland, Maine
- 5.5 hours from Boston
Please note that Schoodic Institute is within the National Park boundaries
Getting There
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leaders.
Schoodic Institute is located on Schoodic Point, in Acadia National Park in the town of Winter Harbor, Maine. Approximate driving times to the Schoodic Institute:
- 10 minutes from Winter Harbor
- 45 minutes from Ellsworth
- 1 hour from Bar Harbor
- 1.5 hours from Bangor
- 3.5 hours from Portland, Maine
- 5.5 hours from Boston
Please note that Schoodic Institute is within the National Park boundaries. Everyone (16 years old and above) needs a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, or Acadia National Park Entrance Pass, to visit. Veterans, people with permanent disabilities, or people age 62 or over may qualify for free or discounted park passes. Passes are available at the visitor’s center during check-in at Schoodic Institute.
If flying by commercial airline, the nearest airport is Bar Harbor (BHB), about 35 miles away from the Schoodic Institute. Driving time is 1 hour from the airport. Bangor International Airport (BGR) is just over 60 miles away. Bangor is also the nearest commercial bus and train/bus terminal.
We encourage carpooling and will share fellow participants' contact information for those who wish to ride together.
Accommodations and Food
We will stay in Acadia National Park for the first three nights. The double-occupancy accommodations will be fully furnished cabins with WiFi, DirectTV, telephones, and kitchens, as well as dining and living rooms. Each person will have a private bedroom, but will share a bathroom with a roommate.
Breakfasts and dinners will be eaten in a dining facility, less than 100 yards from the cabins. Bag lunches will be provided and eaten midday when we take a break from birding. The talented and friendly dining facility staff strives to cook with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Soups, dressings, sauces, and baked goods are prepared from scratch daily. In addition to a hot entree, guests are invited to prepare their own dinner salad from the salad bar furnished with fresh vegetables and hearty proteins.
The final two nights will be spent in a family-owned motel in Lubec, Maine. Two people will share the hotel room. The hotel will provide a home-baked, continental breakfast with freshly baked muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Lunch will be a sandwich, snack, and beverage from a local deli. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the trip.
Dietary needs: The dining facility and restaurants can accommodate many common allergies and dietary preferences. Please disclose your dietary needs and preferences when completing your trip form. If you have a restricted diet, we recommend you bring food with you to supplement your diet.
Cell phone coverage is spotty in Acadia National Park and Downeast due to the landscape. The Schoodic Institute campus and hotel in Lubec are equipped with phones and Wi-Fi. You are welcome to bring your electronic equipment (cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, etc.). You may want to load the eBird app on your phone or set up an account online.
Trip Difficulty
This trip will be moderately difficult. It is strongly suggested that you arrive in good physical condition and enjoy being outdoors in all types of weather. We will be walking along a rocky coastline and hiking along well-trod paths. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes with good grip to avoid slipping and long pants (not capris).
Participants must be able to:
- Travel two miles in one hour while carrying personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, rain jacket, etc.
- Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable weather. Tolerate cold temperatures and rain.
- Traverse wet, slippery, rocky or seaweed-covered terrain, and mudflats.
- Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
- Take an active role in your own safety by recognizing and avoiding hazards when they arise. Be able to effectively communicate to the trip leaders if you are experiencing distress or need assistance. Comply with instructions and recommended safety measures at all times.
- Enter and exit a 15-passenger van and sit upright while properly wearing a seatbelt.
Allergic reactions and infections
Biting and stinging insects and ticks are present. Participants will be briefed on how to inspect for tick bites daily. Participants with allergies should bring an Epi-Pen.
Participants may walk through areas with dense vegetation and possibly poison ivy, so all participants should wear clothing that covers the arms and legs.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Acadia National Park, Schoodic Institute, and Sierra Club are monitoring and closely adhering to the guidance and best practices set by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Maine CDC. As of December 2022, masks are optional for indoor spaces at Acadia National Park.
If you have any questions about your qualifications or any aspect of the trip, feel free to contact the trip leaders.
Equipment and Clothing
A detailed equipment and clothing list will be sent to registered participants. The list will include closed-toed, sturdy shoes or boots with a good grip; long sleeve shirt and rugged long pants; a daypack for carrying lunches; rain gear; and a warm layer of clothing.
The air temperature in August can vary from 50° to 80° F. Ocean temperatures range from 50°to 60° F. The boat excursion has the potential to be windy and chilly. Consider bringing layers of clothing. Trip leaders will provide weather updates each evening and morning and suggest clothing to take for the planned activity.
Please bring binoculars. Extra binoculars and spotting scopes will be available. This should be a good trip for photographers, so bring your best camera if you wish.
References
Articles:
- Autumn is Getting Later—Just Ask the Trees, Birds and Butterflies
- State of the Birds Report 2022
- 314 Species on the Brink
Books:
- Bard, Richard, Beyond Acadia: Exploring the Bold Coast of Down East Maine. 2019.
Field Guides and Apps:
- Acadia National Park
- Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. David Sibley. 2016
- Stokes Field Guide to Birds Eastern Region. Donald & Lillian Stokes. 2013
- eBird app or eBird.org website
Conservation
Generally, bird populations have been declining for decades. Several species have lost at least half of their populations in the past 50 years, while some duck, goose, and swan populations are increasing. Why are these seemingly contradictory trends taking place? What factors affect the birds? Do the lifecycle and migration patterns make a difference? What about climate change? What can individuals do to help bird populations? How can municipal, state, and federal programs help? We will discuss these topics informally while birding during the day, and in a focused and facilitated manner during dinner each day.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners