2026 Spring Birds of Acadia with Private Puffin Cruise

Stay tuned – registration will open soon! 

Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz is joined by Holly Merker, founder of the Mindful Birding Network, to lead this leisurely tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds.

Be among the first to see and hear colorful wood warblers returning to Maine’s Acadia National Park, and enjoy a private, chartered boat trip to Petit Manan Island to see an active Atlantic Puffin colony.

We’ll move at a comfortable pace with an emphasis on enhancing your field birding skills and enjoyment of nature. The tour is based out of Schoodic Institute, a research and learning center, ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration passage that tallies tens of thousands of birds annually. Lodging is in cozy cabins where you will be awakened by the birdsong.  Listen for Swainson’s Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo and Northern Parula to serenade your walk to the Institute’s dining hall. Maine has a way of spoiling birders – and Schoodic’s Spring Birds of Acadia tour is designed to do just that!

Registration is required. The program cost is $1,385 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!

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

 Day 2: Begins with an optional morning bird walk on campus before breakfast – think warblers! Breakfast is served from 7:00am to 8:00am in Schooner Commons. We’ll then head off campus for a day afield.  First, traveling 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 idle at the island, one of just 5 islands in Maine inhabited by Atlantic Puffin, thanks to historic restoration efforts. Seals and other wildlife are also possible. We’ll enjoy a field lunch at a picturesque community garden and bird-rich picnic spot, then travel to nearby blueberry barrens to look for an assortment of birds, including Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, and Northern Harrier. We may stop for other birds we spot along the way. The after-dinner evening discussion will revolve around this day’s experience, and we’ll look at how to use eBird, Merlin, and how to develop one’s birdwatching toolkit.

 Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. Afterward, we’ll spend the day investigating hotspots on the Schoodic side of Acadia National Park as well as other Downeast locations. We’ll return to campus by 5:00 pm for leisure time before our 6:00 pm dinner. Dinner this last night is your choice of lobster or a delicious alternative. Following dinner, we’ll review the day and complete a checklist review. 

Day 4: Starts with another optional before-breakfast bird walk. After breakfast, we’ll exercise the option of a culminating stroll to Schoodic Point or a short hike to a lookout along the Sundew Trail. Checkout is at 10:00 am.

Price of $1,385.00 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. The park pass will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus (approximate fee is $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), free, patrolled parking lot about 1 mile from the airport.