Going to Maine on my honeymoon - last week of June

[semillama]

We're staying near Bar Harbor. one thing on our schedule (actually the only thing formally scheduled) is a combo puffin/whale watching trip. It goes out to Petit Manan Island and then out into the Gulf of Maine for whales. So of course I'm viewing it as a pelagic trip. ;-)

In order to distract me from all the stuff that needs to be done before the wedding, I started a target list for this trip (once I get back, I'll post and we can see how well I did):

Common Eider
Cory's Shearwater (would be a life bird)
Greater Shearwater(would be a life bird)
Manx Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater (would be a life bird)
Wilson's Storm-petrel (would be a life bird)
Leach's Storm-petrel (would be a life bird)
Northern Gannet
Roseate Tern (would be a life bird)
Common Tern
Arctic Tern (would be a life bird)
South Polar Skua (I'd do a handstand if I saw this one - obviously would be a life bird)
Common Murre (would be a life bird)
Razorbill (would be a life bird)
Black Guillemot (would be a life bird)
Atlantic Puffin (would be a life bird)

I've seen many if not all of the commonly occurring land birds that will be around, but I'm starting from bird zero on the Maine list, so I'm taking all comers!

[XemaSab]

1. Those are virtually all pelagics

When I went to Maine in August 2 years ago gimmes were Eider, Greater Shearwater, Guillemot, and Puffin. I also had Manx Shear and Gannet.

I had hoped for Roseate Tern and Razorbill, but dipped on those. I only went whale watching off Bar Harbor though. Mega dipped on Dovekie too.

For Sooty Shear, the storm petrels, the other terns, Skua, and Murre, you should come out to Cali for a spring or fall pelagic.

I had a brazilian Sootys last weekend. :P

Best of luck though.

[semillama]

2. Yeah, we're going well out into the Gulf of Maine, so I think I have a chance for some of those.

We're guaranteed the Puffins, Guillemot and probably Roseate Tern - as there's a tern colony on Petit Manan, I think.

I think it's the wrong time of year for dovekie and some other alcids, but you never know.

The Maine Bird list had "hundreds of alcids" at Petit Manan on May 31st.

anyway, I'll let you know how I do!

[XemaSab]

3. Totally!

At some point I have to go back to Maine for a few birds I missed.

I am interested in the good spots ('cause I missed 'em :P )

[Maestro]

4. Congratulations on the Honeymoon

and may you have a very successful birding adventure. Almost everyone of those birds would be a first for me.

[semillama]

5. Ok, I'm back!

Well, the birding on the honeymoon was great!

I woke up the first day because of the birds singing and how light it was. I was expecting it to be about 6 am (my wife thought it was 9), but it was actually 4:30 AM!

My puffin/whale watching trip was a big success. I had the following birds on the trip:

Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Laughing Gull
Common Tern
Arctic Tern (lifer)
Common Eider
Black Guillemot (lifer)
Atlantic Puffin (lifer)
Common Murre (lifer)
Razorbill (lifer)
Northern Gannet
Greater Shearwater (lifer)
Sooty Shearwater (lifer)
Wilson's Storm-petrel (lifer)
Northern Fulmar (lifer)
Double-crested Cormorant

We also had great looks at three Finback Whales and one Humpback Whales.

I also got one hell of a sunburn when the wind picked up and i had to take off my hat - by that time, I was so intent on scanning the ocean that I forgot to put on sunscreen.

Land birding was pretty good, too. I didn't pick up any life birds but ended up with 70 species, not bad for just casual birding.

I'll post some photos soon of the pelagic stuff.

[XemaSab]

6. I'd love to see a Razorbill!

Congratulations!

Oh, congratulations on getting married too! :D

[semillama]

7. These Razorbills were right next to our boat

Also, it was Guillemot Day:



Oh, yeah, there were whales too:

[semillama]

8. Here's a few more photos:

Sooty Shearwater


Atlantic Puffins


Greater Shearwater


Arctic Tern carrying a fish back to the nest (I'm pretty sure, anyway)

[Maestro]

9. Awesome pics!

And I am so jealous. What a trip! Lifers and whales (oh and a honeymoon ;) )