Clear and calm conditions last night made for another good night for flying. With no early morning showers, many migrants continued on - or at the very least, they weren’t concentrated as they seemed to be yesterday morning. Activity was significantly reduced at Florida Lake Park, but it was still quite busy. 100+ Yellow-rumped Warblers and 20+ “Yellow” Palm Warblers was my estimate, 1/5th of my count yesterday. However, my first Northern Parula and Northern Waterthrush of the spring joined the festivities. I also added my first Black-throated Green Warbler of the spring at Hedgehog Mountain Park. So clearly there was some turnover from yesterday, with some new birds arriving, but many of the previously grounded migrants departing. The next few nights all look very good for migration, so I would expect more of the same – “new” birds each day, but no major fallouts. But, since each morning will be a little different from the last, it should be a great stretch to get out – both weather- and bird-wise.

Despite how much I enjoy birding in Maine (as I hope you have noticed in my ramblings here!), I must admit that my recent trip to Louisiana has reinvigorated my wanderlust! Talking with friends who travel around the world, browsing the tour operator booths, etc, etc have all compounded my desire to resume my peregrinations.

Well, I do have a trip to New Jersey for the World Series of Birding next week (more on that soon), but my birding this summer will actually include quite a bit of traveling - at least around Maine.

While more exotic destinations from Ecuador to Siberia are on my “wish list,” some birding adventures closer to home will be coming to fruition this summer. Among them is my desire to increase my birding – and really, everyone’s birding – opportunities in the Gulf of Maine. Along these lines, Jeannette and I are pleased to be offering a total of 5 boat trips this summer to explore our offshore waters.

I do believe that I have mentioned here our 6-day, 5-night Windjammer Cruise aboard the Schooner French in July. This is going to be a truly unique, and memorable experience. While this is by no means a “hard-core” pelagic birding trip, we do have a good chance of seeing such summer Gulf of Maine specialties as Manx, Sooty, and Greater Shearwaters; Leach’s and Wilson’s Storm-petrels; Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns; Bald Eagles, and breeding alcids – Razorbill, Black Guillemot, and Atlantic Puffin. (And know knows what else???) Although we will be at the mercy of the winds, we will target opportunities to view seabird nesting islands, and productive marine waters for feeding seabirds and marine mammals. Not to mention the fact that we’ll be on a boat that’s a National Historic Landmark, and the trip will include everything from exploring islands to an all-you-can-eat Lobster Bake! (By the way, when I last spoke to the captain, only 3 cabins remained, so hurry!)

For those looking for a shorter excursion, we have teamed up with See Life Paulagics to offer two ½-day Pelagic Birding Trips on the Odyssey out of Portland.

After enjoying Black Guillemots, Common Eider, and other Casco Bay denizens, we’ll head towards one or two tern colonies. Staying safely (for the terns, and the boat!) offshore, we’ll check for Roseate and/or Arctics among the multitudes of Commons. A Bridled Tern, Yellow-nosed Albatross, and Magnificent Frigatebird were all seen from these islands in the summer of 2006, so you never know what we might TERN up!

We’ll then use Captain Dan Yates’ experience to guide us farther offshore, searching for deep-water specialties, such as Cory’s, Greater, Sooty, and Manx Shearwater, along with Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, and if we’re REALLY lucky, such treats as Leach’s Storm-Petrel and South Polar Skua.

Some of the marine mammal possibilities at this time of year are Fin Whale, Minke Whale, Humpbacked Whale, Common Dolphin, and Atlantic White-sided Dolphin and Harbor Seals are to be expected.

Since there have been few recent efforts in searching for pelagics in this area, we don’t know what to expect – other than having a good time, and seeing at least something interesting!

Last, but certainly not least, we are offering two shorter excursions aboard the Lucky Catch for a 3-hour cruise to view breeding seabirds and other Portland Harbor denizens. This relaxing trip aboard a 37' Maine-built lobster boat, designed to be smooth and stable on ocean waters. During the summer she is equipped to carry passengers comfortably and safely around Casco Bay; however, from November thru April, she is still an active commercial fishing vessel.

Our tour will take us past historic forts and lighthouses en route to Outer Green Island where we will observe a large, active colony of over 700 pairs of Common Terns. We’ll also look for the endangered Roseate Terns that breed among them. We’re likely to encounter Common Eiders, Black Guillemots, and others that breed around the island, as well as on the journey to and fro. In the summer of 2006, a Bridled Tern lingered here for a few weeks, a Peregrine Falcon put on a show during one of our trips, and a couple of oversummering Great Cormorants were seen as well.

If tide and time permit, we will check Casco Bay for Bald Eagles, Osprey, and hauled-out Harbor Seals. Our morning trip will be a great way to start your day, while the evening departure will be a fun, relaxing end to any birding day! (Think of these as Saturday-morning-Birdwalks-by-Boat).

For dates, times, and more information, visit the “Travel Page” of our website. Hope to see you aboard!

OK, so it’s not a cruise to Antarctica, but, hey, these trips should all be a blast, and I am most definitely looking forward to them!