Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Maine

July 18–23, 2026 By Dianne Benham

Ten members of the Palomar Audubon Society gathered in Maine for six unforgettable days exploring one of the Northeast’s premier birding destinations—the Schoodic Peninsula and Acadia National Park. Under the expert leadership of naturalist Seth Benz, our small group experienced spectacular coastal scenery, productive birding, fascinating natural history, and plenty of classic Downeast hospitality.

With just ten participants, the trip offered a relaxed pace, personalized guidance from Seth, and countless opportunities to ask questions and share in one another’s discoveries.

Our home for the week was the Schoodic Institute, located within Acadia National Park. Comfortable cottages nestled among spruce and fir forests provided the perfect base for early morning bird walks, hearty meals, and evening discussions reviewing the day’s sightings. The dining hall and lecture hall were just a short walk away along peaceful wooded trails. White-tailed deer, including several mothers with spotted fawns, grazed around our cottages morning and evening, adding to the feeling of being immersed in nature. As if to welcome us, a porcupine greeted us from a tree just outside the lecture hall as we left our orientation on the first evening.

Each day brought something different. We searched blueberry barrens for grassland species, scanned rocky shorelines for seabirds and shorebirds, watched a Common Loon tending her six-week-old chick, visited the summit of Cadillac Mountain, explored picturesque fishing villages, and crossed into Canada’s Campobello Island in search of northern specialties.

One of the week’s most memorable experiences was our puffin cruise to Petit Manan Island, where Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Great Black-backed Gulls, Black Guillemots, and Arctic Terns could all be enjoyed at remarkably close range. Watching Atlantic Puffins fly overhead, their bills packed with fish to feed their chicks, was an unforgettable wildlife experience that will remain with us for years to come.

Each evening around 8:30, we gathered hopefully beside the dining hall to scan the twilight sky for Common Nighthawks. Seth assured us they appeared every evening during a brief window, but night after night they eluded us. Finally, on our second-to-last evening, our patience was rewarded when a male and female Common Nighthawk appeared overhead, engaged in an aerial courtship display that delighted everyone.

One evening we enjoyed a traditional Maine lobster dinner—bibs and all! The lobsterman who had caught our meal cooked the lobsters, demonstrated how to crack the shells, answered our many questions, and had us laughing as we tried our hand at extracting every last morsel.

The birding was outstanding, with each of us adding a double handful of new species to our life lists. We returned home with wonderful memories, incredible photographs, lasting friendships, and a deep appreciation for one of America’s most beautiful national parks. https://ebird.org/tripreport/550448

Trip Highlights in Photos

PAS members on the Petit Manan Island Puffin Cruise, July 20, 2026