2027 Spring Birds of Acadia with Private Puffin Cruise

Registration Open

ONLY THREE SPOTS LEFT! To register, fill out the form below or contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356.

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 Institute’s Spring Birds of Acadia tour is designed to do just that!

Registration is required. The program cost is $1,425 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 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 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 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. 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 hearty field lunch, 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 explore how to use eBird, Merlin, and development of 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 p.m. for leisure time before our 6:00 p.m. 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 the tour’s final 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 a.m.

Price of $1,425.00 is based upon double occupancy. Lodging upgrade options possible while available. Please call Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 to check availability and pricing.

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 p.m.) or
• Pick up at Odlin Road Park & Ride (at 2 p.m.), this is a free, patrolled parking lot about 1 mile from the airport.
• We’ll return you to Bangor by Noon on Day 4. If you are making a plane reservation, please plan your departure after 2 p.m.

Registration Instructions: 

2027 Spring Birds of Acadia

Registration

Spring Birds of Acadia with Puffin Cruise(Required)

May 18-21, with guides Seth Benz and Holly Merker. Lodging, meals, van travel, boat and guiding fees included for $1,425.00 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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Chicken

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Allergies/Dietary Restrictions

Please inform us of any allergies or restrictions you may have regarding your diet.

Medications(Required)

Please list any medications you are presently taking. You may write N/A if none are taken

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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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