We are finally reporting on our trip last summer to Maine for bird watching and to meet friends for the North Atlantic Blues Festival.
Although Maine is a state we visited many years ago, we were not yet bird watchers at that time. 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, the northernmost location in Maine. 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 in Canada. 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 headed 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 and son team, along with their crew. During the tour, we observed many amazing birds, including the Common Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Roseate Tern, Arctic Tern, and Leach’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 us with an educational experience about lobstering. We also saw Gray and Harbor Seals, along with three lighthouses, during our excursion.
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 stopped to hike a trail leading to one of the many ponds, which 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. During our stay in the area, 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 involved meeting our 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 also 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 sightings of 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, much like many spots throughout the state. New bird species observed in Maine include Barn Swallow, Gray Catbird, and Northern Parula.
We had an amazing trip filled with many birds, fantastic blues music, and great friends. Of course, we also enjoyed delicious lobster rolls. We can’t wait to return to Maine to explore new birding areas and, hopefully, spot that elusive moose!
Trip Birds: 72 Year Birds: 15 Life Birds: 1 US Life Birds: 3
Next Up: Arkansas and Oklahoma
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