2025 Spring Birds of Acadia with Puffin Cruise

Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz is joined by Holly Merker, author of Ornitherapy, to lead this leisurely tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that frequent or pass through Acadia National Park and its immediate surroundings.

We’ll move at a leisurely pace while learning about bird song and sight identification, bird habitats and behavior, and we’ll pay extra attention to enhancing your field birding skills and enjoyment of nature. The entire tour will be based out of Schoodic Institute, a research and learning center, ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration checkpoint that tallies tens of thousands of passing birds annually. Lodging is in cozy cabins where you will be awakened by birdsong – Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and Magnolia Warbler. Blue-headed vireos and Northern Parula warblers often serenade you as you walk to Schooner Commons, the Institute’s dining hall. Maine has a way of spoiling birders – and this spring tour is designed to do just that.

Registration is required. The program cost is $1,285 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!

Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Spring Birds” begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4:30pm with introductions and orientation. The late afternoon will feature the start of field birding. A reception will precede dinner. Dinner is from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. An evening presentation on puffin restoration efforts will follow dinner in preparation for tomorrow’s special boat trip to an active seabird colony.

Day 2: An optional morning bird walk on campus – think warblers – before breakfast! Breakfast is served from 7:00am to 8:00am in Schooner Commons. We’ll then pack for a day afield and travel 40 minutes or so to the boat launch in Steuben for a 2-hour cruise to Petit Manan Island. This is our best chance to see Atlantic puffin, razorbill, common murre, and several tern species as we circumnavigate the island, one of just 5 islands in Maine inhabited by Atlantic puffin, thanks to restoration efforts. Seals and other wildlife are also possible. After lunch, which will be a field lunch at a bird-rich picnic spot, we’ll then inspect some nearby Blueberry barrens habitat to look for an assortment of birds, including upland sandpiper, vesper sparrow, and American kestrel. Of course, there will be other birds to see along the way. An evening discussion on the day’s experience, identification tips and review, and how to get the most out of eBird use will follow dinner (6:00pm – 7:00pm).

Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. We’ll then spend the day investigating hotspots on the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park as well as the nearby villages of Prospect Harbor and Corea with good prospects for finding spruce grouse. Lunch will be in the field (carefully packed in a cooler along with water). We’ll return to campus by 5:00pm for leisure time before the 6:00pm dinner. Dinner this last night together is your choice of lobster or a delicious alternative. Afterward, we’ll sum up the day and complete a checklist review.

Day 4: Optional before-breakfast bird walk. After breakfast, we’ll have the option of a culminating stroll to Schoodic Point. Checkout is at 10:00am.

Price of $1,285.00 is based upon double occupancy. Lodging upgrade options possible while available. To register, contact Michelle Pinkham at (207)288-1356 or fill out the form below.

Price includes lodging and meals, van travel, boat fare, and guiding fees. Not included in price: airfare, trip insurance, alcohol beverages not offered by host, gas stop snacks, and gratuities. An Acadia National Park pass may be necessary if you will be traveling in the park in your own vehicle while not on this tour. These will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus for $35.

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

• You can drive directly to Schoodic Institute
• Pick up in Bangor, Maine at either the airport (at 2 pm) or
• Pick up at Odlin Road Park & Ride (at 2 pm) near the airport (this is a safe, patrolled parking lot).

2025 Spring Birds of Acadia

Registration

Spring Birds of Acadia with Puffin Cruise(Required)

May 20-23, with guides Seth Benz and Holly Merker. Lodging, meals, van travel, boat and guiding fees included for $1,285.00 per person. How many participants are you registering?

1

2

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Lodging assignments are based on guests sleeping in a private bedroom in a shared apartment. There will be no more than one roommate of the same gender assigned to your lodging. If you know someone else attending you may list them, otherwise one will be assigned. Private accommodations may be available for an additional charge. Please call Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 to check availability and pricing.

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To reserve your space on this tour, payment in full is required. There will be a minimum $100 cancellation fee.
Schoodic Institute understands how disappointing it can be for our guests who need to cancel their trip. Please read the cancellation policy outlined below. By completing your payment, confirming your reservation and signing below, you agree to the terms and conditions stated regarding cancellation due to any reason.
If a participant cancels for any reason we will use the following refund policy:
• A $100 cancellation fee will be held for cancellation that is received at least 31 days before the start of a registered tour.
• 50% of your total payment will be refunded if cancelled 30 days before the start of your registered tour, unless we are able to fill your space, and the tour is full.
• 20% of your total payment will be refunded if cancelled within 14 days before start of registered tour, unless we are able to fill your space, and the tour is full.
• if cancellation is within 72 hours there is no refund.
A written request for cancellation is required by email - addressed to mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org
We advise you to buy travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances and to avoid any costs associated with cancellation.
If Schoodic Institute cancels a session, it will issue full refunds of payments to the paid participants.

I recognize that there is an element of risk in any adventure, sport, or activity associated with the outdoors. I am fully cognizant of the risks and dangers inherent in birding, which can include uneven and slippery footing on trails, allergic reactions to plants and stinging insects, and distance from medical facilities in remote locations. I have been informed of known special hazards in such activity. I certify that I am fully capable of participating in the activity.

Therefore, I assume full responsibility for personal injury to myself and/or loss or damage to my personal property and expenses thereof as a result of my negligence or the negligence in said activity except to the extent such damage or injury may be due to the negligence of the tour operator. I further understand that the tour operator reserves the right to refuse any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in the activity.

I understand and accept the terms and conditions stated herein and acknowledge that this agreement shall be effective and binding upon the parties during the entire period of participation of the said activity.

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