We finally made it back to Maine last summer, this time as birdwatchers and with plans to meet friends at the North Atlantic Blues Festival. From rocky coastlines to quiet forests, it felt like the perfect chance to rediscover the state — and add a few long‑awaited birds to our list.
Although Maine is a state we visited many years ago, we were not yet birdwatchers then. This trip provided a great opportunity to add to our eBird list. Our first stop was Quoddy Head State Park, where we saw an impressive variety of birds. Some of our favorites included the Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, and Magnolia Warbler. Seeing 22 different species at our first stop was an excellent way to begin our birdwatching adventure. Next, we headed to Lubec, Maine’s northernmost location. Here, we were able to add Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, and a Black-throated Green Warbler to our list. Although the bridge to Canada was closed due to COVID-19, we could see the Mulholland Point Light across the water. We were also thrilled to add the Common Eider to our Canada life list.
Our next stop was Elsa’s Inn near Gouldsboro, which offers a beautiful view of the boats in Prospect Harbor. Based on a recommendation from the host of our B&B, we decided to visit Schoodic Peninsula and head to the Ravens Head Overlook. The short trail leads to stunning cliffs that overlook Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. During our drive along the coast, we spotted 18 Common Eiders as well as both Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Maine Seabirding
On Wednesday morning, our tour with Hardy Boat Cruises was canceled due to the weather. Fortunately, the weather improved, so we quickly rescheduled with Robertson Sea Tours to visit Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. This boat is typically a working lobster vessel, operated by a friendly father-son team with their crew. During the tour, we observed many amazing birds, including the Common Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Roseate Tern, Arctic Tern, andLeach’s Storm Petrel. The Roseate Tern was our first life bird since April 2019, while the Black Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin were new additions to our U.S. life list. The captain stopped the boat to allow his son to pull up one of their lobster traps, providing an educational experience about lobstering. During our excursion, we also saw Gray and Harbor Seals, along with three lighthouses.
Maine Moose Watching
One of the reasons for our trip was to see moose, as Penobscot County reportedly has more moose than permanent residents. Following some recommendations, we drove 20 miles along Golden Road in Millinocket. Along the way, we hiked a trail that offered stunning views of Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine. Although we didn’t spot any moose—likely due to the time of day—we were fortunate enough to see a Ruffed Grouse with a recently fledged chick. We also encountered some nice bird species, including the Swamp Sparrow, Black-and-White Warbler, and American Redstart.
We scheduled a Northeast Whitewater Moose Tour for Thursday morning. Our guide entertained us with moose trivia and facts as we traveled to Second West Branch Pond. Once we arrived, we all got into canoes to explore the pond. Although we didn’t spot any moose, we did see a nesting Common Loon, American Black Ducks, a Bald Eagle, a Broad-winged Hawk, a Hairy Woodpecker, and a Common Raven. We lodged at Chalet Moosehead, which featured lovely gardens home to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Swainson’s Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, and Song Sparrows.
Blues Festival
The final leg of our trip was meeting friends Laf and Laura from Florida at the North Atlantic Blues Festival. We used a charming farmhouse in Waldoboro as our base camp for the festival. Our host greeted us with homemade salsa and introduced us to the resident sheep and horses. We enjoyed watching various birds on the farm, including the Blue-headed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch, Ovenbird, and Pine Warbler.
The North Atlantic Blues Festival is held in Rockland Harbor and is regarded as one of the most prestigious festivals on the East Coast. The festival stage is set up right on the waterfront, providing amazing views as a backdrop. Two of our favorite bands performing there are Tullie Brae and Jason Ricci. During breaks between sets, a walk along the Rockland Breakwater yielded Common Eiders with chicks, Great Black-backed Gulls, and Common Terns. Nearby Owl’s Head Park is another excellent location for birdwatching and features a beautiful lighthouse. New bird species observed in Maine include Barn Swallow, Gray Catbird, and Northern Parula.
Maine gave us everything we hoped for — seabirds, forest birds, sweeping coastal views, and a weekend of incredible blues music with friends. Add in lobster rolls, lighthouses, and one new life bird, and it became a trip we can’t wait to repeat.
Trip Birds: 72 Year Birds: 15 Life Birds: 1 US Life Birds: 3
Next Up: Arkansas and Oklahoma — spring forests, wetlands, and 93 species across two underrated birding states.
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