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Travelogue: Wings, Waves, and Woods
Birding Weekend
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
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. |
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 Chamber, 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! 
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.