After having to postpone our originally planned trip in May, we are thrilled to be able to offer this trip for MYBC thanks to a generous donation from Acadia Birding Festival! Monhegan is a truly special place for birding during migration. A day of birding in late September can feature southbound raptors, warblers, sparrows, waterfowl, and many others! While the destination is the island, birding on the ferry ride from New Harbor can bring views of Gannets, gulls, and Black Guillemots. We may even see harbor porpoises or Minke Whales!
Monhegan is a small, rocky island in Muscungous Bay about 10 miles offshore. This situates it as an important stopover point for migrating birds looking for a place to rest. We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring, hitting hot spots such as the Ice Pond, the Community Garden, the Marsh, and others as time allows.
LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes—we will be covering a lot of ground. The weather on the island can be cooler than the mainland, especially on the boat ride, so please bring appropriate layers.
Also bring the following: filled water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff. If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.
MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 8:30am at the Hardy Boat dock (129 State Route 32, New Harbor, Maine 04554). The boat departs at 9:00am sharp! Pick up will be at the same location around 4:30pm.
PARKING: In September the fee is $10 per day per vehicle, payable by cash or credit cards only (no personal checks). When a parking attendant is present please follow their instructions as you enter the lot.. If no parking attendant is present, you will pay the parking fee at the ticketing booth on the dock. Be sure to grab your Proof of Parking” Pass per vehicle from the chair on the porch of the parking booth and bring it with you to the dock. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR.
Parking is about a 5-minute walk along the rural road from the dock, in a large grassy field. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed. For parents dropping off young birders, you can do so at Shaw’s Wharf as long as you do not plan to leave your vehicle. (https://hardyboat.com/parking/)
COST: With a huge thank you to Acadia Birding Festival, MYBC has funding to cover tickets for up to 6 young birders. To all who already requested tickets in May, we will be in touch to confirm your attendance. We track all additional new requests and be in touch by email with each person to confirm. To request one of these tickets, please note this in your registration email. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets here: https://hardyboat.com/cruises/monhegan-island-ferry-service/. We will be taking the 9:00am ferry on September 23rd and returning on the 3:15pm ferry that afternoon .
We welcome parents to join us. You will need to purchase your own tickets using the link above . You can either choose to bird with MYBC or explore the island on your own and meet back up with us at the afternoon ferry.
If you choose to purchase your own tickets: PLEASE PURCHASE THE TRIP INSURANCE. In the event of cancellation, Hardy Boat will not issue a refund or reschedule your ticket if you do not have the insurance.
CANCELLATION: While cancellation is rare, in the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to anyone who is signed up to attend. We will do so as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes.
Registration details to follow by email. If you want to join us, but are not yet a member of MYBC, contact info@maineyoungbirders.org for details on how to sign up.