Bird Ecology

Bird Ecology Research at Schoodic Institute

Schoodic Institute’s Bird Ecology Program monitors the flow of millions of birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway each spring and fall. The diverse and protected landscapes of Acadia National Park and the surrounding Downeast coastal region allow us to make sense of ongoing environmental change through the study of bird life cycles, migration, habitat use, and breeding behavior, information that contributes to global conservation and restoration efforts. Premier vantage points like Schoodic Point and Cadillac Mountain are part of a continental network to understand environmental change and how we can minimize threats to bird survival. Join us!

 Citizen scientists assist with three long-term monitoring efforts:

• Sea Watch records tens of thousands of loons, grebes, cormorants, gannets, ducks, geese, gulls, terns and other water birds that pass Schoodic Point each autumn.
• Hawk Watch, over its 30-year history, has documented 13 species of birds of prey flying over Cadillac Mountain, with an average annual total of 2,950 birds.
• Songbird Watch monitors thousands of songbirds, including warblers, vireos, and flycatchers at Frazer Point in spring.

Bird Tours, Workshops, & Field Trips

Schoodic Institute’s Bird Ecology Program offers a range of birding tours, field trips, workshops, and other events.

Recent report / publication:

Dec. 2022 – “Acadia National Park Winter Birds: 51 Years of Change Along the Coast of Maine” (Kyle A. Lima, Seth Benz , Peter R. Nelson , William Townsend , and Nicholas A. Fisichelli)

https://schoodicinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Schoodic-birds.pdf

Interested in more information?

Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Program Director, sbenz@schoodicinstitute.org