Each spring hoards of birds make their way to New England to breed making this area one of the most exciting summer birding locations in North America. Birds like Canada, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped, Magnolia, Mourning and Nashville Warblers are joined by birds like Yellow-bellied, Alder and Least Flycatcher, Boreal Chickadee, Bicknell’s, Swainson’s, Hermit and Wood Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Purple Finch, Black-backed Woodpecker and Rusty Blackbird in the north woods and are some of the species we expect to see, photograph and hear during our visit.

The trip will also offer many opportunities to photograph the beautiful scenery of the area from lighthouses along scenic rocky coast of Maine to beautiful mountainscapes in the Presidential Range to peaceful mountain lakes and the verdant scenery of the North Woods.

Our trip will start on the Atlantic coast in search of birds like Saltmarsh Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow and Common Eider before heading inland for woodland birds and scenic Mt Washington.

Once we have had our fill of woodland birds we will make our way to the Maine coast. Here we will make two boat trips out to the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the US. Weather permitting, we will even have an opportunity to land on the island and photograph Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Common Murre’s at close range from a blind. Other birds typically encountered on these boat rides include Arctic Tern, Common Eider and Black Guillemot. We will also have a chance to see and photograph three lighthouses on this leg of the trip.

We will be travelling in a comfortable van with a maximum of four guests. This will allow everyone to best take advantage of the photography opportunities and keep things comfortable. For most of the trip we will be in fairly remote areas where food and lodging will be simple but comfortable.

We will, however, have opportunities to enjoy some excellent seafood including Maine lobster during our travels. Most of the birding on this trip will be near our vehicle but there will be opportunities for some short hikes. Overall the physical exertion level for this trip will be low to moderate.  Most of our birding will be within view of our van though there will be a couple of opportunities for short hikes on well maintained trails.  On the boat rides to the puffin colony conditions are typically smooth though conditions can be unpredictable. 

The cost of the trip is $2875 per person (double occupancy) and includes all transportation starting at the hotel the night of June 1 and ending at Boston Logon Airport the afternoon of June 9, all guide services, all entry fees and lodging starting the night of June 1 and ending on the night of June 8.  Guests will be responsible for their food and transportation to and from Boston.  If you want a private room there will be an additional $450 fee.