Monhegan Island, Maine
26-30 September 2007
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Agenda
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1
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Wilson's Snipe is a common visitor to Monhegan Island.
--Tom Amico
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The tour begins in Port Clyde, an easy ride from the Bangor Airport;
limo service is readily available or you may be able to ride with Bob.
Monhegan Boat Line will provide our transportation to our island
destination. During the 70-minute crossing we'll look for pelagic
species that may include Northern Gannet, Black
Guillemot, rafts of Common Eiders, and possibly a Bald
Eagle, Parasitic Jaeger, or Greater Shearwater. We
should also see Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoises, and
maybe a whale or two. All four nights will be in quaint,
comfortable lodging on Monhegan Island.
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2-4
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Each day will be a new adventure as we explore Monhegan's 17
miles of walking trails. Most songbirds are nocturnal migrants,
so we will spend much of the day searching for overnight arrivals.
Places like the Ice Pond and the road to Lobster Cove can be
especially productive, particularly if a cold front and resultant
northwest winds push migrants offshore. Lobster Cove is a great spot
to watch for migrant raptors, waterfowl,
seabirds, and a few shorebirds: several years ago we
found a MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD there! And we once found a
King Eider among the thousands of Common Eiders.
Backyard feeders can be quite active and yield species such as
Baltimore Oriole, Rusty Blackbird, Indigo
Bunting, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Tom Martin's feeders
are famous for their Lark and Clay-colored Sparrows--we
often find several of each. The area behind the lighthouse may attract
Mourning and Connecticut Warblers, Lincoln's
Sparrow, and other dense brush species. We'll return to the
lighthouse after dark to look and listen for nocturnal migrants in the
beam of the light. We'll scope the bands on Jupiter and watch
migrant songbirds fly in front of the moon.
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Monhegan Lighthouse
--Bob Schutsky
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5
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We'll spend our final morning on the 700-acre island checking the
known hot spots and migrant traps, then head for the
dock for our return ferry ride to Port Clyde and afternoon flights
home from Bangor.
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On one of our tours a cold front moved through late in the day prior
to our departure and produced a dramatic fallout of 1000s of nocturnal
migrants. Birds were raining from the sky for several hours after
dawn. During our last few hours on the island we were constantly
looking at newly arrived songbirds and raptors. Several of the more
unusual species we found included 2 Western Kingbirds, 2
Dickcissels, 3 Clay-colored Sparrows, Hooded and
Prothonotary Warblers, Winter Wren, and an adult
Red-headed Woodpecker. It was a very exciting and
action-packed morning of birding and an incredible ornithological
spectacle. All of the previous days provided great birding: this final
day was phenomenal!
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A complete list of the 80-100 species found on each of our
previous tours is available upon request.
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Leader:
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The Monhegan Island Adventure will be led by Bob Schutsky, a
veteran of 35 years of Atlantic Coast birding. Bob has happily birded
Monhegan on many occasions. He will have you at the best spots at the
right times for the best possible birding.
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Price:
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$1295 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations
are available for an extra charge of $255.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, entrance fees, ALL meals, lodging for 4
nights, and boat fare to and from Monhegan Island. ALL tips are
also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish
to give to your tour leader(s).
***** Combine this tour with the Grand Manan Tour
immediately preceding it, and the day between the two tours is
FREE. See the separate
Grand Manan itinerary for more details.
*****
Does not include the cost of airfare to and from Bangor, Maine, or
ground transportation to Port Clyde.
BIRD TREKS
will, upon request, arrange this transportation for you. Also not
included are the costs of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal
nature.
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Deposit:
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A $300 deposit will assure your spot on the tour. The balance is due
20 July 2007. Please register EARLY as lodging is at a premium
on the island.
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Extra
Services:
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We offer the services of our exclusive
BIRD TREKS travel agent,
Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 21 years
of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact
her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail
lori@baileytravel.com.
By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free
telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist
you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.
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Refund &
Cancellation
Policy:
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With written notice more than 60 days prior to the first day of the
tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $75 service fee.
With 30-60 days notice, you will receive 50% refund of the full cost
of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice.
You will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your
spot on the tour.
No partial refund can be given once a tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or
illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the
following link to Access America or contact
BIRD TREKS for information
on obtaining this coverage.
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Robert M. Schutsky
216 Spring Lane
Peach Bottom, PA 17563
Phone: 717-548-3303
Fax: 717-548-3327
e-mail: info@birdtreks.com
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