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Historic Pittston Farm
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Historic Pittston Farm is located
above Moosehead Lake, in the heart of the working forest. Be aware:
you won't see pavement for days. We'll be sharing the dirt highways
with huge logging trucks and moose. We'll be walking obscure forestry
roads. We'll peer out onto completely uninhabited lakes. We will
see many, many birds but few people. And we will do it in style.
Historic Pittston Farm has been catering to sportsmen and snowmobilers
for decades. Its kitchen is well known. Rooms will be simple but
comfortable. Though the farm and some of the buildings are over
a century old, much is thoroughly modern, including new wind and
solar power installed last year. See 2011 Travelogue: See 2010 Travelogue: This tour is not strenuous. Because of the diversity of habitat that IS Pittston Farm - fields, streams, lakes, marsh, hardwood forest, softwood forest - much of the birding will be right outside the door. Hikes will be short, slow, and on level ground. Each morning starts with an optional warbler walk before breakfast, followed by a day-long adventure that emphasizes the unusual habitat and species to be found in the area. Picnic lunches and copious snacks are provided. Binoculars are a necessity. The leader will provide a spotting scope and guidebooks. Birds of the Maine forest are in full song during this time of year and guests will enjoy abundant opportunities to improve birding-by-ear skills. The guide follows the ABA Code of Ethics. Tapes will be used on a limited basis with the consent of the group. Mosquitoes and Black Flies can be prevalent this time of year. Good clothing and optional repellent are recommended. Difficult target birds will include American Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Northern Goshawk. Twenty species of warbler are likely, including attempts to find Mourning, Bay-breasted, Cape May, and Blackpoll Warblers. Target sparrows include singing Fox and Lincoln's. Alder, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are probable. Ruffed Grouse are almost inevitable; Spruce Grouse much harder. Saw-whet Owls are common but nocturnal in the area and an owl prowl after dark often proves popular and exciting, weather permitting. This tour is offered through Historic Pittston Farm. Guests may book the adventure directly with the inn at 207-280-0000. The package price is $457 per person and includes two night's lodging and tax, all meals from Tuesday evening, June 12th, through Thursday lunch, June 14th, snacks and beverages anytime, up to three full days of guided birding into the area's secret hot spots led by the founder of the Maine Birding Trail, Bob Duchesne, and local transportation by 15-passenger van. The tour officially begins at the inn with a Tuesday evening social, dinner, and birding-by-ear workshop. It ends Thursday afternoon around 4pm. (Free transportation available from Bangor at 9am on Tuesday, returning to Bangor by 7pm Thursday.) Early arrivers and van riders may join Bob for a bonus day of birding. For information about the accommodations and amenities, contact Historic Pittston Farm at 207-280-0000. For information about the birding, schedule, and related adventures, contact the guide at duchesne@midmaine.com or 207-827-3782. |
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