Monhegan Island, ME

Seven members met to board the 3 PM ferry in Port Clyde, ME and begin our visit to Monhegan. We were thirteen all together once we joined with others already on the is-land. Beautiful weather was in store for us as the sun shone throughout and there was just the slightest of breezes to cool us occasionally while we explored miles of trails on the island. Good fortune was with us too, as Doug’s friend, Don Reimer, expert bird guide and author, led the group, generously sharing his knowledge of the birds and history of the island.

Day 1 – The ferry ride was smooth, and we picked up a half dozen Black Guillemots in winter plumage, Common Eider, an Osprey and three Common Loons on the way over.  Tim got on the best bird of the crossing, a Dovekie.  There were also the usual Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants. After checking in we gathered for a late day walk with Don and Doug leading us to a rocky lookout on the island’s west shore, just down the hill from the church, where they had scouted and found Lesser Black-backed Gulls earlier. Bingo!  They were still there, giving us a great start to our Monhegan trip list. Also spotted along the way were Northern Harrier, our first of many Northern Flickers, Carolina Wrens and Mockingbirds and the more usual songbirds.

Day 2 – The morning was spent visiting the Ice Pond (Solitary Sandpiper, Wood Duck) the Trembler farm gardens (several Eastern Wood-Pewees, Wilson’s and Black-and-white Warblers, Lincoln’s Sparrow, a couple of Sharp-shinned Hawks, a Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin) and the pump station at the back of the marsh that lines the main road (20 Mallards, but missed on Green-winged Teal spotted by Don while scouting). We also took our first hike out to Whitehead, a lookout towering 160’ over the open ocean below. From there we spotted 2 Laughing Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, 18 Black-Guillemots and many Common Eider. Other highlights of the morning included the ubiquitous Ring-necked Pheasant, Yellow Warbler, Redstart, Cedar Waxwings, a Common Nighthawk and a Bald Eagle.

In the afternoon we took a narrated boat ride that skirted the shores of the island, giving us a different perspective of the cliffs that line the eastern shore. We spotted more Black Guillemots, a Bald Eagle, and many Gray Seals, some resting on the rocks, others slipping into the ocean as we passed.

In the evening, Doug and Barbara hosted us for dinner and Don presented a program chock-full of stunning photographs of birds taken on the island. He offered many tips to help us identify the birds and captivated us with stories of past experiences. It was a wonderful addition to our trip, made only more special by Doug and Barb’s hospitality.

Day 3 -  A few of the group ventured out at 5:30 AM to Whitehead to view sunrise.  The morning was overcast and foggy, and we did not get the sunrise over the ocean, but did manage a peak at the sun rising over the cloud bank. On our return hike, we picked up a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a handful of Robins, two Sharp-shinned Hawks, and other songbirds.  We came down just in time to meet up with the group for our 7:00 AM walk on the south end of the island. We visited Lobster Cove, which can produce Northern Gannets if the wind is up, but none were spotted with the mild weather and ever so light winds. While walking there we added Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Kingbird, House Wren, Norther Waterthrush, Northern Parula and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Cardinal and White-throated Sparrow and to our list. Then in the afternoon we hiked a loop along Black Head Trail and Cathedral Woods to Squeaker Cove, Little Whitehead, and back on Red Ribbon Trail.  The views were spectacular, though the birds were few, but we managed more Black Guillemots and DC Cormorants, Raven, Black-capped Chickadee and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

We dined at the Monhegan House, where the food was very gourmet and yummy. There we took the time to revisit the day’s sightings and enjoy lots of laughter.

Day 4 – On our final morning, we walked leisurely along the main road, picking up one of the best birds of the trip, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, though admittedly the views were partial and difficult.  We hit the gardens in hopes of newly arrived warblers.  It was not to be, but the Ice Pond awaited and gave us show-stopping looks of a Sharp-shinned Hawk sparring with a Belted Kingfisher over and over again.  The Wood Duck and the Solitary Sandpiper were still present and we picked up Yellow-bellied Sapsucker along the way.  After breakfast we met up near the Trailing Yew, where we enjoyed close-up views of an Eastern Kingbird and an Eastern Phoebe. The group paused to watch Cedar Waxwings feast like flycatchers on a late-season swarm of gnats.  Later, Jim got us on a surprise Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but we boarded the 12:30 PM ferry, with our tireless leaders and friends sending us off with flowers to throw overboard, thereby insuring our return to this lovely island.  On the ferry ride we added a White-winged Scoter to the trip list. Back on the mainland, it was decided to take Don’s advice and make one last birding stop to Weskeag Marsh.  There we scanned the marsh near and far, finding seven Great Blue Herons, at least a dozen Great Egrets and 40+ Snow Egrets. We also spotted 4 Greater Yellowlegs and got good looks at a Northern Harrier flying low over the marsh.  The rarest bird there by far was an immature Tricolored Heron, which everyone enjoyed through scopes for the best views.

We ended with a total of 72 species for the trip.  Much thanks to our special leader for the entire trip, Don Reimer and his wife, Sherry, and to Doug for careful route planning and guidance, and finally to Doug and Barbara once again for graciously hosting us during our visit.

View complete species list below.