Vacation in the Warbler Capital of the World

Famed ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson was the first to make this claim about Acadia. There are over 40 species of warblers seen on Mount Desert Island.  Birds are big here. I don’t mean we have huge birds, just that we’re a migratory crossroad; lots of species are here that are hard to find elsewhere. This past weekend was the Acadia Birding Festival, but don’t worry, the Maine guide responsible for founding and directing the festival is also in business to give guided tours to everyone. His name is Michael Good and he is owner of   Down East Nature Tours in Town Hill, Mount Desert Island. He is also a biologist with a masters in developmental biology with more than 25  years experience in studying birds.  He was also chosen as Best Birdwatching Guide by Yankee Magazine in 2009. Michael will pick you up at your lodgings in his van for a two hour Wetland Ecology tour ($40 adults, $20 kids);  a four hour Native Bird tour ($75 for adults, $37.50 for kids) or a 4-6 hour Gouldsboro Hills Birding tour ($225 per trip). 207.288.8128

Or try the quest on your own by outfitting with good hiking boots, layers of clothing, a good identification book like A Field Guide to to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America by Roger Tory Peterson. Binoculars are a big help or use a spotting scope like Michael Good. I like to try to familiarize myself with the songs of the birds I’m likely to find too. Try typing in “wood thrush song” into google and you may find yourself  at this page where you can hear what is outside my window in midsummer. This Cornell Ornithology site is a great one to bookmark for birdsongs.  Can’t find the binoculars? I have found my digital 18x zoom camera to be a good substitute. Taking a picture is optional.

Raptors are also a big deal in Acadia. From August 19 to October 14, northerly winds push thousands of raptors south above the island and the best place to see them is atop Cadillac Mountain. This is Acadia’s Hawkwatch and in 2009 rangers, volunteers and visitors counted 2,831 hawks, kestrels, eagles and falcons. The National Park website is a treasure trove of information about this event. You can even download a guide to identifying raptors based on their silhouettes.

Let’s not forget the Puffins. For $56 ($28 for kids) Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. will take you on a 4 hour combination whale and puffin watching trip on their twin hulled (less motion!) bar-equipped boat. I know we’re talking about birds, but the whale watch is not to be missed!

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