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Wings, Waves, and Woods
Birding Festival
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Atlantic Puffins were more numerous than
most birders expected as Captain Bill Baker's Nigh Duck pulled
up to Seal Island amidst Razorbills and Arctic Terns. The boat
trip was a highlight of this first festival put on by the
Deer
Isle/Stonington Chamber of Commerce, the Downeast Chapter of
Maine Audubon, and the Island Heritage Trust. All walks and
programs were free. The only cost was for boat trips, which were
well worth it! Not all migrants have returned to Maine by this weekend but the Deer-Isle/Stonington Peninsula is one of the earliest places to get them, due to its low elevation and coastal location. This gives the festival a unique advantage, since many wintering birds that will be headed north haven't left yet. As we pulled out of Old Quarry Adventures for the trip to Seal Island, quite a few Surf Scoters still floated in the bay for easy viewing. A very large flock of White-winged Scoters later flew by the boat as it motored out to sea. Black Guillemots were particularly numerous for the entire length of the voyage. During the return trip, hundreds of lingering Purple Sandpipers dotted the rocks, proving that they had also not headed north to their breeding grounds. Seal Island is one of five Atlantic Puffin colonies along the Maine coast, located about six miles from another famous colony - Matinicus Rock. However, Captain Baker's boat is the only vessel to visit Seal Island commercially, so the trip was an adventure that most Maine birders have not yet experienced. Like Matinicus Rock, there is a large colony of Razorbills in addition to the puffins, and both species surrounded the boat as we approached the island. Several Great Cormorants were spotted, both flying and roosting on the island. Great Cormorants go north in summer, but this is one island where they can be seen throughout the year and we took full advantage of it. A few Northern Gannets were noted on the trip, and Red-necked Phalaropes brushed past the boat on two occasions. The seas were relatively calm for most of the trip, but the windward side of the island features tall, vertical cliffs, and the crashing surf sent spectacular plumes of water into the air. The captain chose a direct route out to Seal Island, but he returned by a more scenic course along the edge of Isle au Haut A substantial portion of this island is a protected part of Acadia National Park. Lovely fishing villages and lighthouses dot the rest of its coastline. |