2026 EXTENSION TRIPS
For those arriving early or staying late
ABF is proud to offer
pre-fest and post-fest trips for those who wish to extend their birding
experience.
PRE-FESTIVAL
Monhegan Island Trip
May 27
(Wed) 6:30am - 5:30pm (starts and ends at The Monhegan Boat Line dock
in Port Clyde)
This pre-festival trip starts at the Monhegan Boat Line dock
in Port Clyde where we board the boat to Monhegan Island. Twelve miles
offshore, scenic Monhegan Island has long been recognized as a migrant
trap where anything might turn up, even species that you won't see
anywhere else in Maine! (Summer Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak,
and Dickcissel are all "regulars.") While much of the island is forested
conservation land laced with trails, the best birding is often in
the tiny village, where old apple trees and spruce stands serve as
the backdrop for warblers (20+ species is average) and a wide diversity
of other songbirds as they pass through. Atlantic Puffin and other
seabirds are possibilities on the boat trip out and back! This outing
is all on foot (2-3 miles) over easy to moderate trails and dirt roads,
with some uneven sections.
Participants should bring binoculars, snacks, lunch, beverages, bug
repellent, sunscreen, and good hiking/walking shoes. Dress in
layers as it could be cold (especially on the ferry!). There
will be some opportunities to stop for food and refreshments at a
few places on the island. Keep in mind that the group will not have
any place to stash extra items, so be sure to bring a backpack or
the equivalent to carry extra clothing or food (if you bring you own).
The group will meet at the Port Clyde ferry
dock at 6:30am in time to catch the 7:00am ferry. The return
trip will be on the 4:30pm ferry from Monhegan. If you live far away,
we recommend that you spend the night near Port Clyde so you can easily
meet the group. Port Clyde is over 2 hours from Festival Center.
The price for the trip covers the ferry cost. Please do not
purchase your own ticket.
Fee is $125/person. Limit 36 participants.
Saddleback Mountain - Boreal Birds
May 27 (Wed) 5:30am-1:00pm
This is a day trip at Saddleback Mountain. Bicknell’s Thrush
unique breeding ecology above 3000 feet requires a steady climb to
the barren bald peaks of Saddleback Mountain tucked away in the western
mountains of Maine (the group will be taken up the mountain in ATVs,
but descent will be by foot). Many northern specialty birds will be found among
the rocky summit heaths and boreal krummholz ecosystems of the Rangeley
Lakes region, offering opportunities for a variety of hard to find
boreal species like Gray Jays, Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker.
We will study bird communication and ecology of the spruce and fir
forest and dwarf shrub summits where Nashville and Blackpoll Warblers,
Swainson’s Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo are calling from the spruce
zone.
Participants should bring snacks, lunch, beverages,
bug repellent and sunscreen. Dress in layers as it could be cold.
The trip starts and ends at Saddleback Mountain (approximately 3.5
hours from MDI), so we recommend you find a motel closer
to the mountain the night before the trip. There are
several lodging oportunities in Rangeley, only 15 minutes from the
mountain.
Tour guides are Michael Good and James Longo. This
day trip requires 2-3 miles of hiking on steep ski slopes of uneven
terrain with rocks and roots (some hiking up slope but mostly down
the slopes with a drop in elevation of 2000ft). This trip
is only for those in very good physical walking shape
(walking sticks helpful). The group will be taken up the mountain
in ATVs, but descent will be by foot. Participants should bring binoculars,
snacks, lunch, beverages, bug repellent, sunscreen, and good hiking/walking
shoes. Dress in layers as it could be cold.
Meet at the base of Saddleback Mountain Ski Resort.
Fee is $100/person.
Acadia Puffin Cruise
May 27 (Wed) 11:30pm-2:00pm
Set sail aboard the 40 ft Tricia Clark, Maine’s original puffin boat. This is a two hour tour out of Pigeon Hill Bay
to the stunning Petit Manan Island. During this tour, you will also experience the breathtaking views of the Petit Manan
Wildlife Refuge and Bois Bubert Island. After the tour, we recommend hiking the boreal forest trails of Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge.
This will give you a beautiful view of Petit Manan Island from ashore. Petit Manan is home to a variety of seabirds and water-dwelling
mammals, more notably the Atlantic Puffin. Other species you may see are Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns, Common Terns,
Guillemots, Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Eiders, and a variety of gulls. There is also opportunity to see both Harbor and Gray Seals. Petit
Manan Lighthouse was constructed in 1857. The light is a conical granite tower, standing at 119 feet tall, making this the second tallest
lighthouse in Maine. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Petit Manan light is still in service today.
Meet at the boat at 147 Back Shore Road, Steuben ME.
Fee is $90/person.
POST-FESTIVAL
Acadia Puffin Cruise
June 1 (Mon) 11:30pm-2:00PM
Set sail aboard the 40 ft Tricia Clark, Maine’s original
puffin boat. This is a two hour tour out of Pigeon Hill Bay to the
stunning Petit Manan Island. During this tour, you will also experience
the breathtaking views of the Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge and Bois
Bubert Island. After the tour, we recommend hiking the boreal forest
trails of Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge. This will give you a beautiful
view of Petit Manan Island from ashore. Petit Manan is home to a variety
of seabirds and water-dwelling mammals, more notably the Atlantic
Puffin. Other species you may see are Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Roseate
Terns, Common Terns, Guillemots, Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Eiders,
and a variety of gulls. There is also opportunity to see both Harbor
and Gray Seals. Petit Manan Lighthouse was constructed in 1857. The
light is a conical granite tower, standing at 119 feet tall, making
this the second tallest lighthouse in Maine. It is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places. Petit Manan light is still in service
today.
Meet at the boat at 147 Back Shore Road, Steuben ME.
Fee is $90/person.
