USA: New England Birding at its Finest

From the Atlantic Ocean to the forests and mountains, explore the avian diversity of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

From the rugged mountains to the Atlantic coast, the northeastern United States offers a great diversity of habitats and birdlife. Situated in the transition between the boreal forest of the north and the more southern broadleaf forest, this region is the meeting point for many species from north and south. Add the Atlantic ocean and the list of birds grows even more.
 
This 7-day tour starts by exploring the rocky coastlines, beaches, and salt marshes of southern Maine, which are home to iconic birds such as Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Common Eider, Piping Plover, and Least Tern. From there we’ll work our way northward, visiting lowland forests which harbour species such as Scarlet Tanager, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and many, many warblers.
 
We’ll then drive up the tallest mountain in the northeast, where we’ll look for high-elevation specialties such as Bicknell’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler, and then continue north to the true boreal forest, where we’ll seek out Canada Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker, Spruce Grouse, and an even more impressive list of warbler species. 

custom

/ person sharing

single supp. custom

  • custom
  • 8 days
  • custom
  • PWM
  • PWM
Download brochure
Book now
Schedule Call
Send Message
Included
  • 7 hotel nights.
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8.
  • All in-country ground transport.
  • Airport pick-up on day 1 and drop-off on day 8.
  • All guiding fees for tour leaders and local guides.
  • All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • Global Rescue Membership*
Excluded
  • International or domestic flights to and from Portland, ME (PWM).
  • Alcoholic drinks.
  • Personal purchases such as (but not limited to) laundry, room service, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
  • Insurance. We strongly recommend participants get travel, cancelation, and medical insurance in their home country.
  • Any tips you would like to offer tour leaders, guides, drivers, porters, wait staff, housekeeping, etc. for outstanding service.
  • Any other items not explicitly included.

Itinerary

Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.

  • Day 1 ⎸ Arrival in Portland, ME

    You’ll be met at the airport in Portland, ME and brought to our hotel. There, we’ll gather this evening to welcome everyone and talk about plans for the week.

  • Day 2 ⎸ Scarborough Marsh, Biddeford Pool, Pine Point Beach

    We’ll spend the first morning birding costal spots, focusing first on Scarborough Marsh, an extensive saltwater wetland that is home to Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows, Eastern Willet, and many other wading birds. From there we’ll go to the ocean proper, walking the beach in search of breeding Piping Plover and Least Tern, and checking the sea for ducks, gulls, and terns. We'll spend the night in Portland.

  • Day 3 ⎸ Capisic Pond, Gilsland Farm, Tidewater Farm, Messalonskee Lake

    Today we’ll bird spots around Portland that are home to a variety of songbirds, seeking out species such as Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Great-crested flycatcher, Veery, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and American Redstart. We'll spend the night in Camden, ME.

  • Day 4 ⎸ Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge

    From Camden we will board a charter boat that will take us out to visit Seal Island. This wildlife refuge harbours a nesting colony of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Arctic and Common Terns, and Great Cormorants. On the ocean going to and from the island we may encounter Wilson’s Storm-petrel, Northern Gannet, and shearwaters. We'll then head to Saco, ME for the night.

  • Day 5 ⎸ Kennebunk Plains, Brownfield Bog

    We’ll get an early start today to visit Kennebunk Plains, a grassland preserve where we will target scarce birds such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Vesper, Field, Savannah, and Grasshopper Sparrow, and the rare Upland Sandpiper. In the adjacent woods and brushy areas we may encounter Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Eastern Towhee. From here we’ll drive north to Brownfield Bog, home to a nice variety of freshwater wetland species and forest species. Both Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos are possible, along with 4 vireo species, Alder, Willow, and Least flycatchers, and numerous warblers. We'll spend the night in Jackson, NH.

  • Day 6 ⎸ Mt Washington, Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge

    A scenic drive up the highest mountain in the northeast, Mt Washington, will give us easy access to some high elevation habitats. The stunted spruce/balsam forest is home to Bicknell’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler, and above tree line in the arctic alpine zone we may encounter American Pipit. We'll cross into our third state of the tour and spend the night in Island Pond, VT.

  • Day 7 ⎸ Moose Bog, Silvio Conte National Wildlife Refuge

    We’ll get an early start today to visit Moose Bog, a classic boreal spruce bog and pond. This is one of the best places to find Spruce Grouse, and we’ll look for the resident Black-backed Woodpeckers and family of Canada Jays. After visiting the bog we’ll drive into the extensive Silvio Conte NWR, an extensive patch of lowland boreal forest which is home to Canada, Magnolia, Mourning, Cape May, and numerous other warbler species. With luck we may even see a moose! We've now started to head back towards the coast and we'll stay once more in New Hampshire, at Conway.

  • Day 8 ⎸ Dahl Wildlife Sanctuary, Brownsfield Bog, drop off at Portland airport

    On the last day of the tour we will start the morning with a stroll around a local wildlife sanctuary, and then visit Brownfield Bog again to look for any remaining species missed on previous days. We’ll get back to Portland by lunchtime, and the tour will conclude with drop offs at the Portland Airport.

Focus:
Birds
Other wildlife
Photography
Culture & history
Gastronomy
Other
Physical difficulty:
Walks
Other activities
Drives
Terrain
Altitude
Climate
Comfort:
Lodging
Transport
Meals