Birding in New Hampshire and Maine
For the first time in our 48 years of marriage, my wife Helen and I headed to New England instead of to the western or southern parts of the country. Our goal for the two-week vacation was to spend some time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and then go to Acadia National Park and the northeast coast of Maine. We are 11 days into the vacation and it has been delightful trip. It took us two days to get to the Mount Washington area of New Hampshire, where we spent four days, camping each night in National Forest Service campgrounds.
I heard at least 13 different warblers singing during those days. Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos were common, and Red-breasted Nuthatches seemed to be everywhere. Thrushes were well represented, with Swainsons, Hermit, and Veery singing around the campgrounds. I tried in vain to find a Bicknells Thrush, but evidently they are at higher altitudes, while we spent most of our time at lower areas along the streams.
The drive east from New Hampshire to Acadia National Park was beautiful but slow. We had reserved campsites for four nights, two at Blackwoods and two at Seawall. Both locations were close to the ocean, where Common Eiders were truly common. Black Guillemots could usually be found not far from shore. Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls were regular, while Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls were there in small numbers. Around the campsites, Black-throated Green Warblers and Northern Parulas were numerous. Hermit Thrushes and Winter Wrens sang from the woods. We heard both kinglets, Brown Creepers, and several Red Crossbills while hiking or biking.
We signed up for a boat trip to look for whales and puffins. The weather was cloudy with some fog and drizzle but the 200 passenger catamaran got us out to Petit Maran Island where we spent 20 minutes watching at least 70 pairs of Atlantic Puffins and lots of Razorbills (seabirds). Nesting was in full swing. There were also many Arctic and Common Terns plus smaller numbers of Roseate Terns.
Then the fast-moving boat headed out 25 miles to search for whales but I was watching for seabirds! There were lots of Great Shearwaters, from singles to small groups, and one flotilla of nearly 200. We also saw a number of storm-petrels but didnt get close looks. Small flocks of phalaropes appeared near the boat at times. The best bird of the day was a South Polar Skua which came flashing by the back of the boat, in close pursuit of a Herring Gull. The Skua appeared to be as large as the gull, and showed much more white in the wings than the jaegers we sometimes see along Lake Erie. We did get to watch a Humpbacked Whale for 30 minutes, so the other passengers were happy as well.
Today we stopped along the ocean at Jonesport, where we biked for an hour, then ate some delicious seafood. This is lobster country. Tomorrow we plan to drive into New Brunswick for a few hours and then start heading toward home. Its been a good trip and I can see why lots of people like this part of the world. We might even have to come back again.
Good birding!
Bruce Glick
birderbruce@yahoo.com
330-317-7798
