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Please spread the word and let us hear from you if you have any questions. This year’s trip is at the same time in June as previous trips and most schools should be out. Every trip to Eastern Egg Rock always provides a different experience and usually something new to be observed… we’ll see what this adventure holds for us. This trip will be at the same time of day as previous trips which gives folks some afternoon time for prowling the area for some additional birding and we can also make some suggestions for some interesting sites to visit while there on the mid-coast of Maine.
5th Annual RAVEN Puffin Trip 2020…. Covid Cancelled
6th Annual RAVEN Puffin Trip 2021…. Covid.. Didn’t happen
7th Annual PUFFIN TRIP 2022 is ON!!!
RAVEN Interpretive Programs with Chris Lewey
Thursday June 23th, 2022 11:30AM
From New Harbor, Maine aboard the Hardy Boat
After missing our planned 5th and 6th trips to Eastern Egg Rock we are a go for 2022 with our annual PUFFIN trip this June. We expect to pick up where we left off with with this long awaited 2022 trip. We hope you will join us for another adventure on the Maine Coast! This exciting outing has always filled so if you have an interest, you should register early. We are in winter’s grip here and summer seems like a long way off… nice to be thinking ahead to warmer and longer days! June will again provide us with puffins for our annual adventure on the Hardy Boat. The Atlantic Puffins are out on the rough North Atlantic as we speak now and I’m sure they too are thinking about the 2022 nesting season and winging their way back to Eastern Egg Rock for a busy summer there in Muscongus Bay and hoping to catch a glimpse of US this coming June!
Boat departs at 11:30AM … cruise to Eastern Egg Rock, the southernmost nesting colony of Atlantic Puffins. New Harbor is about 1.5 hours north of Portland. Cruise is about 1.5 hours and sometimes goes a bit longer… we should expect to return to the dock before 1:30PM.
New Harbor is only 5 miles from Eastern Egg Rock making it the closest, easiest and most convenient way to see these fascinating birds. You spend less time traveling and more time with the birds. On the way to EER you will see Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Franklin Island Lighthouse, Monhegan Island, the islands of Muscongus Bay and a view of the Camden Hills.
The boat circles EER at a distance of 40 – 150 feet from the rocky shoreline. Puffins are frequently sighted on the water and often seen 25 – 30 feet from the boat. There are several other species of birds to also see on this cruise and we’ll attempt to get good looks at all of them, including: Common and Arctic Terns, the endangered Roseate Tern, Black Guillemot, Common Eider, Double-crested Cormorants (and occasionally Great Cormorants), Herring Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, and Laughing Gull. Occasional sightings from theHardy Boat include: Surf Scoter, Razorbill (frequently seen in May and June), Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, and Northern Gannet.
The migratory seabird colony on Egg Rock is protected during the breeding and nesting season. No people, other than Project Puffin biologists, are allowed on the Island. The boat will circle the island for about 30 minutes. The upper deck provides for a 360º view providing great birding experiences. The lower deck is protected from the sun and weather and two heads available for guests. The galley has hot and cold beverages and healthy snacks that are available throughout the cruise.
We have used the Hardy III for many years and are always well taken care of by Capt. Al and his wonderful crew on this annual Maine Coast adventure.
• Cost of the trip is $54 per person ($42 children 12 and under) from New Harbor and we have the boat to ourselves as this is a RAVEN charter.
• TO REGISTER: Email your Name and number of people to register to [email protected] … we will notify you with payment options and provide further details including joining instructions, directions and what to bring along with a list of local accommodations for those wishing to spend an overnight in the area.
As a sneak preview of what we anticipate seeing on this exciting adventure, watch this YouTube presentation:
Atlantic Puffins – Return of the Native
Please send this on to anyone who you think may have an interest in joining us. Let me know if you have any questions and we’ll get right back to you.
Good Birding! Chris
Chris Lewey, Executive Director
