Tag Archives: Cutler

The Magic of Machias Seal Island Trip Report, July 2026

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New for 2026,  “The Magic of Machias Seal Island Tour” took place on July 6th and 7th. I think we can say this new tour was a success.

After a welcome and strategy dinner on Sunday night, we met on the morning of the 6th for a carpool from Machias to Cutler, where we boarded our boat to one of the most special places on the continent.

It could not have been a more perfect day. Mostly clear, glass calm, and a comfortable temperature rising from 60F to the low 70’s by the afternoon – an absolutely gorgeous day!

With such calm waters, the trip out to Machias Seal Island was delightful. We encountered lots of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels…

…and soon numbers of Razorbills, Common Murres, and Atlantic Puffins on the water. There were lots of Harbor Porpoise, and we even glimpsed a Minke Whale.

As we arrived in the vicinity of the island, an exceptional number of birds were in the water and surrounding the boat.

But following the safety-first procedures, we made our way to the island, and divided into groups. We chartered the boat for the tour but chose not to maximize the number of participants so we could all have a little more elbow-room in the blinds, especially with all of the long lenses in tow.

Words don’t really do the experience of being in the blinds on MSI justice, and while you all know I have words, I am going to simply let the photos do the talking.

But even on a beautiful day like this, life is tough out here. Without a permanent tern colony to mob predators, danger is always lurking, such as this Herring Gull

One blind on our tour witnessed such a thing, when a different Herring Gull grabbed a puffling out of its burrow, with the helpless adults unable to do a thing about it. At least it was quick.

After our allotted hour in the blind  – which feels like 5 minutes and forever at the same time, as time flies when you are having fun, but time also seems to stand still when fully immersed in the experience of being inches away from some of the most charismatic and entertaining birds in the world- we made our way back to the center of the island, where a couple of dozen Arctic Terns are trying to reestablish a colony, and enjoying other island denizens like Savannah Sparrow and Spotted Sandpiper.

Back on the boat, we took the traditional “victory lap” with such calm water and so, so many birds to look at. Photographers snapped away. Others sat back and enjoyed the show. I just tried to look at every single bird to find a rarity, like the famous Tufted Puffin.

I’d be happy to hear of a possible fish ID from anyone on these, but this large tasty morsel was being brought home for chicks by Razorbills and Common Murres all day, arriving mostly from nearshore waters.

During the entire ride back, we had more Wilson’s Storm-Petrels and alcids with us, until nearly within the confines of Cutler Harbor.

Now, as a guide, it’s hard to top that, but I at least tried to entertain folks for a little longer.  First, we visited the bog at Boot Head Preserve (heard a Palm Warbler and saw some of the more common warbler species in the woods), mostly to look at plants and the unique habitat.

Then, back in Machias, we strolled the section of the Downeast Sunrise Trail along the Machias River and eventually had some great looks at Nelson’s Sparrow, two likely-southbound-migrant Greater Yellowlegs, several fishing Ospreys, and a good show of Bald Eagles – including two youngsters branching about around the nest.

On our second morning, there were no expectations to top MSI, but we went birding anyway. Spruce Grouse was our goal, and although they are no longer seen often, if at all, at any of the regular places, I had a new secret spot trick up my sleeve.

I scouted it on Friday and found a dust bath with a Spruce Grouse feather.

Maybe I shouldn’t have taken my low-clearance hybrid as far in as I did, but I am glad, because a fairly short and easy walk yielded this:

Yup, she was heading right to the dust bath!

We birded the woods here and at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge without encountering any other boreal species (heard one likely Bay-breasted Warbler, but that was it), so after another great lunch, this time at the famous Helen’s, we headed over to Lubec for some really productive birding.

We did look at other birds too, such as this female Common Yellowthroat.

At the overlook of The Bar, we had a migrant flock of 6 Least Sandpipers, perhaps just arriving from points north. Oversummering Arctic sea ducks included at least 6 White-winged and 3 Surf Scoters, along with about 10 Red-breasted Mergansers and plenty of Common Eiders of course. We sorted through the loafing gulls hoping for a rarity.

Based on their behavior when a Bald Eagle flew by, there is a pair of Northern Harriers nesting near Carrying Place Cove – an unexpected bonus. That was great to see.

Quoddy State Park did not disappoint, although even the several dozen Razorbills offshore were a little anti-climactic. They’re still nice to see from land, however. And a Red-throated Loon, very rare in summer, was an unexpected treat, as was a Laughing Gull, which is quite rare this far East, at least in mid-summer…for now.

And we walked to the bog. Because bogs.

ALWAYS stopped to smell…and photograph, the Twinflower.

Even on the drive back, the birding success continued. A Ruffed Grouse crossed the road with two chicks, and I was not shy about using my vehicle to assure them safe passage. Meanwhile, for those of us staying at The Bluebird Motel, we began each day with a Tennessee Warbler singing in the parking lot and finished up daylight with Common Nighthawks foraging overhead!

Oh yeah, and as usual on an FWBS/Derek Lovitch tour…we ate really, really well, wrapping things up with one last indulgent lunch at Helen’s.

Local Cobscook Bay scallops, and their pickled beets are perfect. Both almost as good as the pie!

I guess I don’t have to say that you’ll see this tour on the calendar next year…I have already confirmed it.

This Week’s Highlights 7/5– 7/14/2026.

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I led a tour to Machias Seal Island on the 6th, and I’ll let two snapshots with my phone do the talkin’  This place is just so special and needs few words.

In addition to our new The Magic of Machias Seal Island Tour downeast this period, my birding took me around southern Maine as well, including lots of quality time with Saltmarsh and Nelson’s Sparrows, Roseate Terns, and migrant shorebirds,.  Here are my observations of note over the past 10 days.

  • 1 COMMON GALLINULE, 1-2 American Bittern, etc, Penjajawoc Marsh, Bangor, 7/5.

Observations of note from my 2+ day tour to Machias, including a visit to Machias Seal Island included the following (the full trip report, chock full of photos, can be seen here):

  • 1 Tennessee Warbler singing each morning and 1-2 Common Nighthawks each evening for those of us staying at the Bluebird Motel in Machias.
  • 1 SPRUCE GROUSE, Edmunds Twp, 7/7.
  • 1 pair Northern Harriers, 6 White-winged and 3 Surf Scoters, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, etc, The Bar and Carrying Place Cove, Lubec, 7/7.
  • 1 Red-throated Loon, 1 Laughing Gull, 30++ Razorbills, Quoddy State Park, 7/7.
  • Migrant shorebirds included 9 Short-billed Dowitchers and 5 Least Sandpipers on MSI on 7/6; 2 Greater Yellowlegs along the Downeast Sunrise Trail in Machias on 7/6; and 6 Least Sandpipers at the Lubec Bar on 7/7.
  • 2 Upland Sandpipers, Schoodic Road, Columbia, 7/8.
  • 1 continuing proposed TRICOLORED HERON X SMALL WHITE EGRET SPP (“Patches!”) and 1 continuing TRICOLORED HERON, 12 Least Sandpipers, 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 Little Blue Herons, etc, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 7/10.  I only saw Patches flying away, but I saw very few dark flight feathers. This could be yet another individual in the complex. I’ll need to look at photos from others and see it better myself, but regardless, this is year 14 of this quagmire in the marsh!
  • 2 Pectoral Sandpipers (FOF), Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 7/11 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • The continuing TRICOLORED HERON and a growing number of shorebirds, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 7/14 (with clients from Florida and Virginia).

Upcoming Tours (that have space):

Boothbay Harbor Whale-Puffin Cruise with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises

July 26 – 9:00AM.

​​This is the second of the two trips this summer where Derek will be onboard as a Guest Naturalist for this special “Whale Watch & Birding Buffs Combo” Cruise. The itinerary will include a visit to Eastern Egg Rock as well as whale feeding grounds. Nesting colonies and pelagic sightings will be highlighted. Around EER at this time we can expect to find Atlantic Puffins, Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns, Laughing Gulls, Double-Crested Cormorants, Common Eider, Black Guillemots, with a chance of Razorbill and Common Murre. Off-shore sightings may include Northern Gannets, up to 4 species of Shearwaters (Great, Sooty, Cory’s, and Manx), and Wilson’s Storm Petrels. Who knows? Perhaps the wandering TUFTED PUFFIN will be spotted! Sorry, no chumming this time, but we tend to get a little more time around Eastern Egg, and if there’s enough of us, a little more freedom to chase birds offshore!

This Week’s Highlights, June 18 – June 24, 2022

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I found this 1st summer Little Gull on Hill’s Beach in Biddeford on 6/19. It was among about 40-50 Bonaparte’s Gulls and hunkered down against the wind. This was my first in southern Maine in quite a few years.

Breeding season is upon us, and Maine’s seabird islands are in full effect – even when they don’t have a Tufted Puffin. I did find a Little Gull, however, and that was fun; I really like Little Gulls! My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • Biddeford Pool shoreline and neighborhood, 6/19: 1 1st summer Great Cormorant, 3 Black Scoters, 1 pair Surf Scoters, and 1 likely-late migrant Magnolia Warbler.
  • 1 first-summer LITTLE GULL and 1 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 6/19 (photos above).
  • 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 14 Black-bellied Plovers, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 6/19.
  • Belgrade PURPLE MARTIN colony, 6/21: Jeannette and I counted at least 25 occupied nests holes, which I believe would be a recent record high of this venerable colony.
  • 1 Red Crossbill, Downeast Sunrise Trail, Machias, 6/21 (with Jeannette).
  • 15-20 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, Cutler Harbor to Machias Seal Island with Bold Coast Charter Co, 6/22 (with Paul Dioron, Bill Thompson, and Jeannette).
  • 1 pair NORTHERN GANNETS, displaying and early-courtship behavior, Machias Seal Island with Bold Coast Charter Co, 6/22 (with Paul Dioron, Bill Thompson, and Jeannette).
  • 1 Greater Yellowlegs, Machias River Causeway, 6/22 (with Jeannette).  High-flying and heading south, was this our first migrant of “fall?” or just an over-summering bird heading to a roost?
  • 2 Red Crossbills (Typ1 10 fide Matt Young), 1 Bay-breasted Warbler, Palm Warblers, etc, Cutler Coast Maine Public Reserve Lands, 6/23 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 pair AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, Egg Rock off Petit Manan peninsula, with Acadia Nature Tours puffin trip to Petit Manan Island (with Doug Hitchcox, Jeannette, et al).  No Tufted Puffin.
After a couple of failed nesting attempts followed by a 2-3(?) year hiatus, a male Northern Gannet has been hanging out and “prospecting” on Machias Seal Island again this year. Recently, he has attracted the attention of a 4th-cycle, presumed female. We were lucky enough to view them outside of our blind during a tour there on 6/22. This was just a quick snapshot with my phone. Jeannette has over a thousand photos to sort through!