2024 Katahdin Splendor: Birds and Wildlife in the Shadow of Maine’s Highest Peak

Description

The combined scenic expanse of Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods and Waterways National Monument is the stage for this extraordinary tour. Here, the history of nature exploration and birding is as rich and captivating as the landscape itself. We’ll search for boreal birds – Spruce Grouse, Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadee and Gray Jay – as well as a variety of warblers, and moose! Lodging and dining will be at Big Moose Inn, a charming oasis featuring Fredericka’s restaurant and the Loose Moose Bar Camp & Grille. This 4-day, 3-night tour begins in Bangor and travels by van immediately to the Maine Highlands in and around Baxter State Park, where we will search for the elusive boreal birds, and witness Fox and Lincoln’s sparrows singing on their territories. We’ll have a great chance for the tougher-to-find warblers, such as Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Tennessee and Mourning, and northern forest flycatchers such as Alder, Least, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided. Sample itinerary: Day One: The tour starts at 8am in the morning in Bangor. We’ll pick you up at your place of lodging if you come in the day before or at the Odlin Road Parking Lot (free parking) and head directly north to one of the best boreal birding spots deep in the Maine forest. Each night will be spent at the Big Moose Inn, between two quiet lakes. Day Two: We’ll rise with the sun and head up the west side of Baxter State Park, enjoying the abundance of warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, and finches that breed in the northern forest. This will also be a chance to locate any rare woodpeckers or grouse that might be missed on the first day. Day Three: We will start the day with an early breakfast before heading east to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, where we’ll investigate a trail or two leading off the primary Park Tote Road. Day Four: Starting early in the morning, we will head up the east side of the Baxter State Park to Roaring Brook. At Sandy Stream Pond, we’ll enjoy close-ups of moose, listen for Philadelphia Vireos, and search out a few other elusive species. By lunch time, we’ll have finished up with the mountains and will make our way back to Bangor for the tour’s end by 2pm. Price of $1,280.00 is based upon double occupancy. To register, please visit the Schoodic Institute website. With any questions, please contact Seth Benz at sbenz@schoodicinstitute.org.