Monhegan Island, Maine, 22-25 May 2009

My wife Marylee Bomboy and I spent Memorial Day weekend birding Monhegan Island, a small island 11 miles off the coast of Maine—a trip timed to catch spring migration on the island.  We went with a group of 12 other birders and two leaders from our local club, The Hampshire Bird Club.  We drove to Port Clyde ME, and from there took a ferry (one hour) to Monhegan.  On the island we stayed at the Trailing Yew, a small, friendly inn where we stayed in small rooms with shared baths and ate meals family style.  There are no cars on the island (it is roughly 1 ½ by ½ miles in size) and we walked dirt roads and small paths in our search for birds, staying mainly within the small village.   

The trip was a great success.  The weather varied from cool to quite warm and there was little rain.  We saw 124 species of birds, including over twenty species of warblers. Warbler highlights included many Blackpolls (among the few nesters on Monhegan), and other coveted species such as Blackburnian, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Canada, and Prothonotary.  On Sunday, May 24, we took a boat trip to Eastern Egg Rock where we had splendid views of Atlantic puffins, razorbills, roseate terns and purple sandpipers. On our return to Port Clyde on the 25th, we were treated to the sight of distant spouting whales as we left Monhegan harbor.   

Photographing the birds proved to be more difficult than I had hoped, especially for small passerines such as warblers. Even so, this gallery includes some creditable shots, including a dickcissel in vigorous song, and roseate terns in mating mode.

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Herring gulls were much the most common gull seen on the trip. This bird was landing, as we pulled out from the pier at Port Clyde... ... the same gull, about to touch down ! A male common eider's wing flap taken from the dock at Port Clyde, Maine, just before we left for Monhegan. A male common eider close to the dock at Monhegan, where we saw substantial numbers. (The closest views I've ever had!) A female Common eider, near the Monhegan dock. This cedar waxwing was one of a small group in an apple tree as we walked from the boat to our lodgings--we would see many more of them. Note the bright red spot on the wing--it's one of a pair that give the waxwing its name! A typical flock of Cedar waxwings, perching high. The Trailing Yew--the modest lodgings for our three-night stay on Monhegan Island, At least we were in a building with electricity! Flowers were everywhere on Monhegan--especially tulips, in considerable variety. This house had some of the best (see the next two shots). A close-up of tulips. Another variety of tulips, at the same house. A sprig of bleeding heart, on the large bush in front of the Trailing Yew. This lone Brant was present near the Monhegan dock during our stay--apparently the first brant seen on any of HBC's Monhegan trips (going back at least 20 years). This prothonotary warbler was fairly reliably seen, at the Ice Pond near the village--although generally quite distant. One afternoon there were a good dozen Eastern kingbirds at the marsh near the pump house, outside the village. An Eastern kingbird wheeling around at the marsh. This was the only half-decent flight shot that I managed; at least it's fun! Three of our group at the marsh near the pump house. A view from the marsh near the pump house. A male common yellowthroat, perching much more accommodatingly than usual. Yellowthroats were frequently heard, and almost as often seen. A prairie warbler--near the yellowthroat but much less cooperative. Our total of warbler species reached about twenty-three, but they were not particularly easy to photograph. A Wilson's warbler, with his little yarmulke. A Nashville warbler--again illustrating the difficulty of getting a good shot. A beautiful male Canada warbler. He hung around for several minutes, constantly in motion. Scarlet tanagers were fairly common--and better at posing than the warblers! A female scarlet tanager--a great comparison with the male in the preceding shot. A song sparrow--he was singing, but not especially vigorously. They were common. A view of the main road through the village, featuring the ubiquitous lobster traps. The parts of the road bordered by more vegetation were often good spots to bird. This male swamp sparrow sang regularly not far from the main road. Another shot taken along the main road, of a Red-eyed vireo (seen everywhere). A female Bobolink, taken along the main road. She appeared just briefly (twice in my experience); we never saw the male. A flycatcher--needs an ID. Opinions welcome at john.van.de.graaff@att.net !! This male ring-necked pheasant was in a yard with extensive feeders close to theTrailing Yew. We saw a fair number of pheasants during the trip. A Lincoln's sparrow, also in the yard with feeders. A variety of Baltimore orioles were attracted to the yard's feeders, probably by the grapefruits. This may be a first-year female. The same female (?), showing her gymnastic abilities. A more enigmatic Baltimore oriole, in the yard. Rose-breasted grosbeaks were also attracted to the yard--here is a male ... ... and this is a female (Rose-breasted grosbeak). A male dickcissel came fairly regularly to the yard with feeders, and on our final morning he perched in full view, singing vigorously ... ... and occasionally stretching (male dickcissel). A view of Monhegan harbor. Monhegan harbor, with its dock. On Sunday a number of the group took the so-called "Puffin boat ride" to Eastern Egg Rock (about half an hour away). Close to Monhegan we saw this pair of bald eagles. On the left is the male (recognizable as smaller); he had left his mate for a few minutes, and was just landing on his return. On the Puffin boat ride we were delighted to see several razorbills, including one that flew within twenty feet of us. This is the closest Atlantic puffin that we saw on the Puffin boat ride to Eastern Egg Rock. We saw several dozen in the water, flying, and on the island. A black guillemot, showing its red feet. Tthis is the best flight shot that I managed on the Puffin boat ride. Purple Sandpipers on Eastern Egg Rock (taken from the boat). They are strikingly camouflaged--I count eight individuals (the only group we saw, to my recollection). Roseate terns copulating on Eastern Egg Rock, taken from the boat (we did not go ashore). Roseate terns copulating on Eastern Egg Rock. A pair of roseate terns, displaying on Eastern Egg Rock (note their high tails). A pair of roseate terns displaying (note their high tails). Our group (minus yours truly the photographer) on the dock on Monhegan, just before departure for Port Clyde. Our co-leader Andrew Magee on the boat just before arrival at Port Clyde, Maine, at the end of the trip.  

Bird Photographs by John Van de Graaff