Road Scholar : Birding Maine - Migration and Monhegan Island - Maine

Birding Maine - Migration and Monhegan Island

Program Number:

21162RJ

Start and End Dates:


	9/22/2013 - 9/27/2013;

Duration:

5 nights

Location:

Monhegan Island, Maine

Price starting at:

$1,295.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Birding

Activity Level:

t (see description)

Meals:

14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian; Gluten Free

In mid-September, Maine’s Hog and Monhegan Islands become a hub for bird migration along the Atlantic Coast. Discover the bustling ecosystems of these charming New England islands as you join birding experts for an up-close look at native and migratory species. As Yellow-throated Warblers, Northern Gannetts, ospreys and other species begin their long journeys, explore their habitats during expert-led nature walks and private coastal boat excursions.

Highlights

• Join members of an expert ornithologist team for explorations of bird habitats, and gain insight into the Audubon’s Project Puffin.
• Add seabirds — gannets, gulls, shearwaters and more — to your life list during excursions on board a private charter boat.
• Take an evening hike to the Monhegan Island Lighthouse and learn how to interpret nighttime bird calls.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile over uneven terrain; longer and shorter hikes available.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival, Bremen, Maine, ferry to Hog Island, 3 nights; ferry to Monhegan Island, 2 nights; charter boat to Bremen, departure.

Coordinated by Hog Island Audubon Camp and Project Puffin.

Monhegan Island

Once a British fishing post, this island 12 miles off the coast on the Atlantic Flyway, still relies on the bounty of lobster for its livelihood. The island’s natural splendor inspired artists in the 19th century to establish an artist colony, where painters such as Andrew Wyeth captured the island’s coastal beauty on canvas.

Accommodations
Hog Island: Rustic 19th-century buildings with modern amenities; Monhegan Island: Bed & breakfast.

Meals and Lodgings
	Hog Island Audubon Camp
		Hog Island Audubon Camp, Bremen ME	3 nights
	Monhegan Island Housing
		Monhegan Island	2 nights

Hog Island Audubon Camp
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	Participants may stay in one of five different buildings on our campus, with facilities ranging from a two-person shared room and bath to a private cabin by the water. These buildings and on-site dining are reserved exclusively for participants in this program and island staff; the island is a private getaway location for all guests of "Birding Maine." Hog Island is a 330 acre wildlife sanctuary, with the camp buildings located on the northern 30 acres. Hiking trails circumscribe the entire island, following calm beaches and sharper rocky coastline. Another cuts through the spruce-fir forest of the interior island and passes by a diverse peat bog.
	Contact info:	11 Audubon Rd Bremen, ME 04551 USA phone: 207-529-5828 xext3201
	Facility amenities:	Bathrooms and showers are shared with other participants on the same floor of the buildings. There is also a larger bathhouse located separate from the buildings for daytime use or extra space if need be. Linens and towels are provided for all guests.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes

Monhegan Island Housing
	Type:	Bed and Breakfast
	Description:	The housing on Monhegan Island will be at one of the privately run inns located on the main road, not far from the boat landing.
	Contact info:	Main St Monhegan, ME 04852 USA phone: unk-now-n
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Additional nights after:	varies Campers will depart directly from Monhegan Island on the final day of programming. They can make accommodations privately to stay longer instead of returning immediately to the mainland.

Travel Details
	Start of Program: 4 pm on September 22, 2013 You will be staying at Hog Island Audubon Camp that night.
	End of Program: 8 am on September 27, 2013 You will be staying at Monhegan Island Housing the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
	Parking availability: During the week, vehicles can be left in our private lot on the mainland. We will have staff available during arrival times to direct traffic to the right area.

Transportation

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Hog Island Audubon Camp, Bremen ME
	Nearest airport:	Portland, ME

	From End of Program
	Location:	Monhegan Island

Equipment Requirements: Binoculars & field guide (optional)

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Welcome and Orientation
(Sunday, September 22)

Arrive To:	Board the privately chartered ferry for a short ride over to Hog Island anytime between 2 and 4 pm.
Dinner:	A homemade family-style dinner in the "Bridge" dining room following hors dourves.
Evening:	Traditional evening program in the "Fish House" gives a brief overview of Hog Island history and an in-depth look at Project Puffin.

Accommodations:	Hog Island Audubon Camp
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 2:

Bay Tour and Birding Skills
(Monday, September 23)

Breakfast:	Gather in the Bridge for breakfast. Coffee and tea available all day.
Morning:	If you choose, get up early to participate in an expert-led bird walk on Hog Island. If the weather cooperates, we'll head out into the bay to add some seabirds to your list and orient you to birding on the water. Local lore and geography included.
Lunch:	Gather in the Bridge for lunch.
Afternoon:	Our group of expert instructors will offer a selection of workshops for you to choose from. Participant interests will determine the topics of these workshops.
Dinner:	Another fine family-style dinner in the Bridge.

Accommodations:	Hog Island Audubon Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Mainland Birding - Habitat Diversity
(Tuesday, September 24)

Breakfast:	When the bell rings, gather in the Bridge for breakfast.
Morning:	The group heads back across the water to the mainland. Today you'll visit numerous bird habitats with your expert leaders in a search for wading birds, song birds, and raptors.
Lunch:	Packed picnic lunches along the birding trail.
Afternoon:	More habitats, more birds!
Dinner:	Back on Hog Island, you'll gather and share dinner served family style in the Bridge.
Evening:	An evening program led by our talented staff.

Accommodations:	Hog Island Audubon Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Welcome to Monhegan Island
(Wednesday, September 25)

Breakfast:	Participants' last breakfast on Hog Island.
Morning:	After breakfast, you'll board our private charter and head out into the bay. On the way to Monhegan Island, we'll point out any seals, porpoises, and bird species spotted. A game of animal charades is never out of the question!
Lunch:	A packed lunch on beautiful Monhegan Island.
Afternoon:	Take the time to settle into your room, visit the charming shops, or participate in expert-led nature and birding walks.
Dinner:	Gather at one of Monhegan Island's locally owned dining establishments for a sit-down dinner.
Evening:	Hike up to the light house and learn how to listen to and interpret night time calls from migrating birds.

Accommodations:	Monhegan Island Housing
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Birding Monhegan
(Thursday, September 26)

Breakfast:	Enjoy breakfast at the inn.
Morning:	Various length excursions leave to hike Monhegan Island, taking in the birds and scenery as you go.
Lunch:	For those on shorter hikes, gather to picnic lunch at a scenic location on Monhegan Island. Others will dine with their instructor on the trail.
Afternoon:	Camper's choice - continue birding excursions with instructors, relax on the porch, or head out by yourself to see the sights and visit the village.
Dinner:	Another fine dining experience at one of Monhegan's establishments.

Accommodations:	Monhegan Island Housing
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Farewell Breakfast and Departure
(Friday, September 27)

Breakfast:	Enjoy breakfast at the inn.
Morning:	Depart Monhegan Island via our private charter - last chance for birding with our experts!

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

5 nights accommodations
14 meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 4
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 8
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 3
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Plus these special experiences...

The opportunity to hone birding skills with world-renowned ornithologist staff and to receive side-by-side instruction from these premier birders.
Extensive use of private charter boat to access the best birding opportunities in this renowned island locations off mid-coast Maine.
The rich history of Hog Island’s environmental education camps combined with one of Maine’s coastal migration epicenters at Monhegan Island.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes