Atlantic Puffins by Andrew Lunt, Audubon Photography Awards
Maine: Mountains to the Sea
June 4 to 11, 2025
Birds Georgia Host: Dottie Head, Senior Director of Operations
Local Guide: Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Program Director, Schoodic Institute
Group Size: Maximum 11 participants
Member Price: $3,100
Non-member Price: $3,150 (includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single Supplement: $370* (Please read language about lodging below before selecting single supplement. It really is not necessary for this trip even for solo travelers.)
*We will do our best to avoid this scenario, but depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
Pre-trip Meeting: TBD via Zoom
Maine is unique. It is as large as the rest of New England combined and is the most forested state in the U.S. Over 10 million acres are too sparsely populated to have local governments. “Down East,” in and around Acadia National Park, the coast of Maine is wild and dotted with fishing villages. A spruce/fir maritime forest dominates the ocean’s edge and just inland, the world’s largest lowbush blueberry fields create unique habitat.
The scenery on this adventure is equal to the variety of birds to be found. With local support from guides with the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, we’ll begin our tour in Bangor and move immediately to the Maine Highlands in and around Baxter State Park, where we'll chase some of Maine's toughest birds, including American Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers. Spruce Grouse and Boreal Chickadees also haunt this locale, and we should witness Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows singing on their territories. We'll also have a great chance to snap up some of the tougher warblers, such as Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Tennessee and Mourning, and northern forest flycatchers such as Alder, Least, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided.
And let’s not forget the puffins! Following our Highlands adventures, we’ll make our way “down east” to the Maine coast. We will spend a two full days looking for iconic seabirds that breed in the Gulf of Maine each summer. A boat trip will take us into the Gulf of Maine to circle Petit Manan Island, home to one of Maine’s breeding colonies of Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. With luck, we may also encounter other pelagic species such as Northern Gannet, Great and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s Storm-petrels, and more.
Local Guide: Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Program Director, Schoodic Institute
Group Size: Maximum 11 participants
Member Price: $3,100
Non-member Price: $3,150 (includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single Supplement: $370* (Please read language about lodging below before selecting single supplement. It really is not necessary for this trip even for solo travelers.)
*We will do our best to avoid this scenario, but depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
Pre-trip Meeting: TBD via Zoom
Maine is unique. It is as large as the rest of New England combined and is the most forested state in the U.S. Over 10 million acres are too sparsely populated to have local governments. “Down East,” in and around Acadia National Park, the coast of Maine is wild and dotted with fishing villages. A spruce/fir maritime forest dominates the ocean’s edge and just inland, the world’s largest lowbush blueberry fields create unique habitat.
The scenery on this adventure is equal to the variety of birds to be found. With local support from guides with the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, we’ll begin our tour in Bangor and move immediately to the Maine Highlands in and around Baxter State Park, where we'll chase some of Maine's toughest birds, including American Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers. Spruce Grouse and Boreal Chickadees also haunt this locale, and we should witness Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows singing on their territories. We'll also have a great chance to snap up some of the tougher warblers, such as Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Tennessee and Mourning, and northern forest flycatchers such as Alder, Least, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided.
And let’s not forget the puffins! Following our Highlands adventures, we’ll make our way “down east” to the Maine coast. We will spend a two full days looking for iconic seabirds that breed in the Gulf of Maine each summer. A boat trip will take us into the Gulf of Maine to circle Petit Manan Island, home to one of Maine’s breeding colonies of Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. With luck, we may also encounter other pelagic species such as Northern Gannet, Great and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s Storm-petrels, and more.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
Images from the 2023 Birds Georgia Trip to Maine. Photos by Dottie Head.
Trip Overview
Click on each day for more information
Day 1: Wednesday, June 4 - Travel to Bangor
There are limited flights to Bangor so we will plan to arrive on the afternoon of June 4. The Holiday Inn has a shuttle that runs from the airport to the hotel, and we will spend one night in Bangor before meeting up with our guides the next morning. Dinner and lodging will be at your own expense this evening, but we will plan a group trip to a local restaurant for those who arrive in time.
Hotel: Holiday Inn, Bangor (at your own expense)
Hotel: Holiday Inn, Bangor (at your own expense)
Day 2: Thursday, June 5 - Bangor to Baxter State Park and Big Moose Inn
After a quick breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Bangor, we will meet up with Seth Benz, our guide from Schoodic Institute, at 8:00 AM from the Holiday Inn Bangor. We'll then head directly for one of the best boreal birding spots deep in the Maine forest, Baxter State Park. After dropping our luggage at the Big Moose Inn, we’ll head directly into the park where we will look for hard-to-find boreal species like Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Black-backed Woodpecker, just to name a few. Baxter State Park is very remote, and we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the park while watching for birds, moose, and more. We'll spend the night at the Big Moose Inn, straddling two quiet lakes where Common Loons may be heard calling their mournful tune throughout the evening and Bald Eagles are generally nesting along the shoreline. After dinner, we'll wrap up our day with a little moose watching from the hotel grounds.
Hotel: Big Moose Inn, Millinocket Lake, Maine
Hotel: Big Moose Inn, Millinocket Lake, Maine
Day 3: Friday, June 6 - Baxter state park and the golden Road
Day Three begins bright and early. We'll rise with the sun (which comes up REALLY EARLY in Maine) and head up the west side of Baxter State Park, enjoying the abundance of warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, and finches that breed in the northern Maine forest. This will also be a chance to target any rare woodpeckers or grouse that we might have missed on the first day. We’ll also venture down The Golden Road, an unpaved but well-maintained logging road in the North Maine Woods that stretches for more than 90 miles from Millinocket to the province of Quebec. We’ll be searching for boreal species. like Canada Jay, Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, warblers, and more.
Hotel: Big Moose Inn, Millinocket Lake, Maine
Hotel: Big Moose Inn, Millinocket Lake, Maine
Day 4: Saturday, June 7 – Northwoods Down east to the Coast
We’ll get another early start and enjoy breakfast at the Big Moose Inn before heading up the east side of Baxter State Park to Roaring Brook. We’ll spend time birding looking for moose, chasing down Philadelphia Vireos, and searching out a few other elusive species at Sandy Stream Pond which boasts a stunning view of Mt. Katahdin. We may see moose foraging in the lake as well.
After a picnic lunch, we'll finish up with the mountains and begin birding our way Down East to the sea at Acadia National Park. We’ll spend our next three nights enjoying accommodations and meals inside Acadia National Park at the beautiful Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC).
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
After a picnic lunch, we'll finish up with the mountains and begin birding our way Down East to the sea at Acadia National Park. We’ll spend our next three nights enjoying accommodations and meals inside Acadia National Park at the beautiful Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC).
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
Day 5: Sunday, June 8 - Boat Trip to See the Puffins!
Day Five features a puffin and seabird tour as we take a boat out off the coast of Acadia National Park in the Gulf of Maine, circling Petit Manan Island, one of Maine's breeding colonies of Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. With luck, we may encounter some of the pelagic species that come into the Gulf of Maine in summer, such as Northern Gannet, Great and Sooty Shearwaters, and Wilson's Storm-petrels. We are also likely to see Common Eiders, Great Cormorant, and Peregrine Falcons on the cliffs. We’ll spend the afternoon birding around Acadia National Park and nearby hotspots. (If the weather is bad, it is possible we will switch this trip to another day)
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
Day 6: Monday, June 9 – Acadia National Park
On Day 6, we’ll continue our exploration of Acadia National Park, visiting various hotspots on both the Schoodic Institute side of Acadia and venturing around to the main park as well and exploring other hot spots in and around Acadia and Bar Harbor. Weather permitting, we’ll take a ride up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. From the top, we’ll be treated to magnificent views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. Cadillac Mountain is also the site of an annual Fall Hawk Watch, where researchers, volunteers and other partners gather to count the thousands upon thousands of birds of prey that migrate along the coastline each fall.
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
Lodging: Schoodic Institute
Day 7: Tuesday, June 10 – Acadia Back to Bangor
On day 7, we’ll say goodbye to the Schoodic Institute and begin making our way back to Bangor. Day 7 will be guides choice, giving us the chance to make up for any bad weather we may have encountered or to take one last look for any birds we may have missed. We’ll visit Bangor City Forest and walk the one-mile boardwalk at Orono Bog, managed by the University of Maine. The boardwalk passes through a wide array of changing vegetation and environments on its way to the open, peat moss carpeted center of the Orono Bog where we’ll be looking for Black-throated Green Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Northern Parula, and more. Late in the afternoon, our guides will drop us off at the Holiday Inn, and we’ll head out for a final farewell dinner.
Lodging: Holiday Inn Bangor (at your own expense) or travel on!
Lodging: Holiday Inn Bangor (at your own expense) or travel on!
Day 8: Wednesday, June 11
Our final day will be for traveling home or traveling on.
additional details
Price Includes:
Price does not include:
Participants are responsible for booking their own lodging in Bangor for the nights of June 4 and/June 10, depending on flight availability into/out of Bangor. These optional nights are not included in the tour price, but Birds Georgia will reserve a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Bangor and share group booking information with all registered participants well in advance of the tour date. Participants will be responsible for all additional lodging expenses not covered in the tour price.
Tour Start & Ending Time:
The tour will begin with pick-up by our local guide via our tour shuttle van on June 5 at 8:00 AM at the Holiday Inn Bangor. The tour will end in Bangor by 4:00 PM on June 10. Please note these times when arranging your travel into and out of Maine.
Tour Lodging and Single Supplements:
The Northwoods of Maine are very remote and the Big Moose Lodge is a quaint, but compact hotel very near Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness. Rooms at the Big Moose Inn feature private bedrooms with shared baths. All bedrooms at the Big Moose Inn feature a queen-sized bed. There are several baths along a long hallway that all guests may utilize. Fortunately, due to the schedule of the tour and the time spent in the field, shared baths are seldom a problem.
Accommodations at the Schoodic Institute are in shared, multi-bedroom cottages, with kitchen and ample living space. Cabins feature two bedrooms with a shared bath. Couples who register will each have a 2-bedroom apartment with a private bath at Schoodic Institute. Solo travelers who are willing to share a bath with another same-sex traveler will each have a private room at Schoodic Institute at no additional charge. The only reason to select the single supplement at Schoodic would be if you would like to have a private room AND a private bath at the Schoodic Institute. This option is not available for the Big Moose Inn. There are a limited number of single supplements available at Schoodic so please register early if you wish to have a single room.
Payments:
1. $700.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Full payment must be made by April 1, 2025
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $700 down-payment at the time of registration ($750 for non-members). Payment in full will be due by April 1, 2025. The single supplement will also be billed at this time if that option was selected.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received February 1, 2025, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee plus all credit card fees) will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between February 2 and March 2, 2025, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1 to 2 weeks of paying the trip deposit
Pace and Physical Difficulty:
The pace of the trip is moderate. Hikes will be slow and on level ground, but there may be some spots that are muddy, uneven, and slippery. Adequate footwear is advised, but large boots are unnecessary. The day length is very long in Maine in summer, with almost 16 hours of daylight. We will typically have a very early breakfast with an early start for birding. We will have picnic lunches each day of the trip then continue birding in the afternoon. Where possible, we try to have a short rest before dinner to allow everyone time to relax a bit. Dinners at the Big Moose Inn and Schoodic Institute are family style, casual, and plentiful. Bring your appetite!
Dietary Restrictions:
All efforts will be made to accommodate any dietary restrictions. Vegetarians are easily accommodated. Breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner will be provided for us each day at Big Moose Inn and Schoodic Institute. Please contact Dottie Head by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue.
Weather and Packing:
June tends to be warm, sunny, and dry, but conditions in the northern Maine woods are changeable. Dawn temperatures may start in the 40s and reach the 80s by afternoon. The boat tour can be cold and wet so pack appropriate clothing. Bring motion sickness medication if you tend to get sea sick.
You will generally want to wear comfortable birding clothes, dressing in layers, that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. In terms of gear, you will want the usual binoculars and a small daypack to carry snacks and other personal items. A jacket (and a hat and gloves if you’re cold natured) for the boat ride and cool mornings is important. Many people appreciate having a camera along. A reusable water bottle and a travel coffee mug, are useful to have along in the van during the day. A raincoat is useful as a wind layer and in case of wet weather. Comfortable walking shoes are important, as we will be on our feet for extended periods. You will not need rubber boots.
Insects:
Mosquitoes and black flies will be present and, in some places, plentiful. Insect repellent is suggested and a buff to cover your face and neck, in addition to a hat, can be very helpful in deterring biting insects.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are excellent. That being said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be ample opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
- All meals (excluding alcoholic beverages) from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 7
- All ground transportation
- Puffin boat excursion
- Lodging accommodations for 5 nights beginning on the night of June 5
- Expert local guides
- All park entrance fees
Price does not include:
- Airfare
- Lodging on nights not specified above - (Arrival evening, Wednesday, June 4/Departure evening Tuesday, June 10) *
- Tips (for the local guide(s), housekeeping, etc.)
- Alcoholic or specialty beverages
- Optional activities
- Snacks
- Laundry
- Travel insurance, recommended
- Medical costs
- Souvenirs
- Other incidentals participants may wish to purchase
Participants are responsible for booking their own lodging in Bangor for the nights of June 4 and/June 10, depending on flight availability into/out of Bangor. These optional nights are not included in the tour price, but Birds Georgia will reserve a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Bangor and share group booking information with all registered participants well in advance of the tour date. Participants will be responsible for all additional lodging expenses not covered in the tour price.
Tour Start & Ending Time:
The tour will begin with pick-up by our local guide via our tour shuttle van on June 5 at 8:00 AM at the Holiday Inn Bangor. The tour will end in Bangor by 4:00 PM on June 10. Please note these times when arranging your travel into and out of Maine.
Tour Lodging and Single Supplements:
The Northwoods of Maine are very remote and the Big Moose Lodge is a quaint, but compact hotel very near Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness. Rooms at the Big Moose Inn feature private bedrooms with shared baths. All bedrooms at the Big Moose Inn feature a queen-sized bed. There are several baths along a long hallway that all guests may utilize. Fortunately, due to the schedule of the tour and the time spent in the field, shared baths are seldom a problem.
Accommodations at the Schoodic Institute are in shared, multi-bedroom cottages, with kitchen and ample living space. Cabins feature two bedrooms with a shared bath. Couples who register will each have a 2-bedroom apartment with a private bath at Schoodic Institute. Solo travelers who are willing to share a bath with another same-sex traveler will each have a private room at Schoodic Institute at no additional charge. The only reason to select the single supplement at Schoodic would be if you would like to have a private room AND a private bath at the Schoodic Institute. This option is not available for the Big Moose Inn. There are a limited number of single supplements available at Schoodic so please register early if you wish to have a single room.
Payments:
1. $700.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Full payment must be made by April 1, 2025
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $700 down-payment at the time of registration ($750 for non-members). Payment in full will be due by April 1, 2025. The single supplement will also be billed at this time if that option was selected.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received February 1, 2025, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee plus all credit card fees) will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between February 2 and March 2, 2025, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1 to 2 weeks of paying the trip deposit
Pace and Physical Difficulty:
The pace of the trip is moderate. Hikes will be slow and on level ground, but there may be some spots that are muddy, uneven, and slippery. Adequate footwear is advised, but large boots are unnecessary. The day length is very long in Maine in summer, with almost 16 hours of daylight. We will typically have a very early breakfast with an early start for birding. We will have picnic lunches each day of the trip then continue birding in the afternoon. Where possible, we try to have a short rest before dinner to allow everyone time to relax a bit. Dinners at the Big Moose Inn and Schoodic Institute are family style, casual, and plentiful. Bring your appetite!
Dietary Restrictions:
All efforts will be made to accommodate any dietary restrictions. Vegetarians are easily accommodated. Breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner will be provided for us each day at Big Moose Inn and Schoodic Institute. Please contact Dottie Head by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue.
Weather and Packing:
June tends to be warm, sunny, and dry, but conditions in the northern Maine woods are changeable. Dawn temperatures may start in the 40s and reach the 80s by afternoon. The boat tour can be cold and wet so pack appropriate clothing. Bring motion sickness medication if you tend to get sea sick.
You will generally want to wear comfortable birding clothes, dressing in layers, that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. In terms of gear, you will want the usual binoculars and a small daypack to carry snacks and other personal items. A jacket (and a hat and gloves if you’re cold natured) for the boat ride and cool mornings is important. Many people appreciate having a camera along. A reusable water bottle and a travel coffee mug, are useful to have along in the van during the day. A raincoat is useful as a wind layer and in case of wet weather. Comfortable walking shoes are important, as we will be on our feet for extended periods. You will not need rubber boots.
Insects:
Mosquitoes and black flies will be present and, in some places, plentiful. Insect repellent is suggested and a buff to cover your face and neck, in addition to a hat, can be very helpful in deterring biting insects.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are excellent. That being said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be ample opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Razorbill, Ann Pacheco/Audubon Photography Awards
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Spruce Grouse, Alan Collier/Audubon Photography Awards
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Canada Warbler, Dale Bonk/Audubon Photography Awards
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