Synopsis

I had the fortune to visit to Mount Desert Island on work related business so not only did I get to visit Maine for the first time, but also it was a “free” trip.  Unfortunately, the weeklong fish health course, which I was there for, was intensive and did not leave much free time to do birding.  Still, I managed to get out and see a few sites and see some new things.

Having never been to Maine or to the East coast my adult life, it was quiet a treat to notice the difference in environments.  The trees were the first thing I noticed – they were short for one.  Compared to the towering forest of the Pacific Northwest, the deciduous and spruce forests of Maine were dwarfed in comparison.  Forests covered most of the landscape, but it was still too early for the fall colors that the East coast is known for.

The fish health course was at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory at Salisbury Cove near Bar Harbor.  It was a beautiful location among a small town on the Maine coast.  The location of the lab was also fortunate to be close to Acadia National Park, a fairly large park on the Atlantic Coast.  When there was free time from the fish health course, I was able to visit Acadia on a couple of occasions. 

At Acadia, I drove around the one-way circular route along the coastline and back through the forest.  It was an enjoyable drive with some beautiful views of the rocky coastline.  One evening I enjoyed the picturesque sunset from atop Cadillac Mountain. 

Birding was difficult/frustrating at Acadia and on the island.  Following the “Birding in Acadia” suggestions I stopped at several of their recommended places, only to be disappointed by the complete lack of birds.  I don’t know if it was the timing, but the entire trip seemed to lack birds.  The most numerous bird species I saw were the Common Eiders along the coastline.  They were in rafts hugging close to the rocky shore, diving and feeding among the seaweed.  Along the coast I also saw Black Guillemots in smaller numbers and Greater Black-backed Gulls, both birds are not common to the west coast, so it was a treat to see these birds, even though they are consider common in Maine.

The few “forest” birds I saw were actually close to the lab.  During short breaks in the course, I took walks down the street to see if I could find any small flocks of passerines.  Chickadees would alert me to their presence and I would look for any migrants that were foraging with them.  I did find a few “good” flocks this way – managing to see Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireos, Yellow-rumped, Tennessee, and Black-throated Green Warblers, and Northern Parulas.  It wasn’t the full diversity I hoped for, but I couldn’t ask for more on a “free trip.”

My last night in Maine, I had a little bit of time to visit the farther parts of Acadia National Park – Seawall, but unfortunately that day a thick fall rolled in, so my view of the ocean was completely gone.  Instead I enjoyed a short hike along the Ship Harbor Trail.  Before dusk set in, I drove along the road around the Hodgdon Pond.  At the pond, I found some pitcher plants growing in the bog, which were a very cool find.  I also found Bullfrogs – in their native habitat!  Right as the sunset, a pack of coyotes called from somewhere in the forest.  Despite the lack of birds, it was a good way to end my brief visit to Maine.  
    
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Pictures

	Clouds over Washington during the flight out
	Spent a week here learning about fish health and pathology.

	Only nerds would find this fence amusing (and take a picture of it!).
	Sunset at Mount Desert Island Biological Labs

	Bar Harbor, Maine Not far from the labs.
	Rocky coast of Acadia National Park, also not far from the labs.

	Acadia National Park shore.
	Acadia National Park

	Common Eider (very commonly found along the coast of Acadia National Park, ME).
	Monarch, Acadia National Park, ME
	A little too early for fall colors, but I hear its amazing. Acadia National Park, ME
	Sunset from Cadillac Mountain, a popular place to view the sunset and sunrise (supposedly it's the first place in the US to see the sunrise). Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain

	Roses Acadia National Park
	Foggy, rocky shore of Acadia National Park, ME.
	Red Squirrel eating elderberry (?), Acadia National Park, ME
	Ground Cover along the Ship Harbor Trail of Acadia National Park, ME.

	Ship Harbor Trail, Acadia National Park, ME
	Hodgdon Pond, Acadia National Park
	Pitcher Plant, Hodgdon Pond, Acadia National Park

	Bullfrog in its native habitat! Hodgdon Pond, Acadia National Park
	Of course it wouldn't be a complete trip to Maine with the Lobster Bake! The labs pulled off one impressive dinner!

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Bird List

Common Loon (summer and winter plummages)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Common Eider
Mallard
Wood Duck
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Greater Black-backed Gull
Black Guillemot
Turkey Vulture
Belted Kingfisher
Hairy Woodpecker
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Common Raven
American Crow
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco - "slate-colored"
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Tennesse Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Goldfinch

Other Critter List

Eastern Gray Squirrel (in its native habitat!)
Red Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
White-tailed Deer
Coyote (h)
Bullfrog (in its native habitat!)
Monarch Butterfly
Pitcher Plant

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Information

Acadia National Park
Maine Birding Trail
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory

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