2024 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 29
(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 and
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
in search of Bicknell's Thrush
May 29 (Wed) 7am-2pm
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. 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 $90/person.
