A trip to Machias Seal Island, located in the Bay of Fundy 10 miles off the Maine coast is a trip every birder should take. It starts by making reservations with Capt. Barna Norton of Jonesport, Me., who has the only rights to take people on the island from the U.S. This is controlled by the Canadian government in order to protect the birds nesting and he is allowed to take 16 people, once a day onto the island. The trip season runs from May 30th to Sept. 1st. I recommend mid July or early August after the Puffins have their one egg and are feeding their young by bringing in a beak full of fish. Once you select the date you'll want to make reservations for the night before at a motel or bed & breakfast. I recommend the Blueberry Patch Motel on route one in Jonesport. This is about a four hour drive from Lewiston. We leave early and check in and then we call the captain to verify the morning departure time, as that varies day to day with the tides. We then head north to visit the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and the eagle nesting sites just north of Calais. Later we return to the motel for the evening and dine next door at the White Way Restaurant , which offers good home-cooked food at a reasonable price. In the morning we rise at 5:30 to shower and organize our gear. I recommend wearing sneakers and a warm winter coat over a sweater or sweatshirt, to be shed one layer at a time as needed, because the boat ride can be quite cold. We try to leave the motel at 6:15 as the drive to the boat takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the captain expects you there l5 minutes before departure. The boat ride to the island takes about an hour and a half, depending on the tides and the wind. Its a good size boat with a cabin and a large deck with benches around the outer edge. The ride is rather cold, especially if you're like me and have to stay in the fresh air not to get seasick. As you approach the island you will start to see Arctic Terns and Puffins flying overhead and swimming in the water. The island has no dock so the boat anchors and you transfer 6 or 8 at a time to a smaller motorized boat which takes you to the island. The rocks are covered with seaweed and somewhat slippery, which is the reason for the sneakers; good footing, plus your feet may get wet. A Canadian biologist and the island lighthouse keeper will greet you and help you off the boat. The biologist will the lead you to a platform in the center of the island near the lighthouse for an orientation. At this time you walk very carefully through the field looking for the little red flags that mark the Arctic Tern nests. All this time you are waving your arms above your head to keep the 1200 or so terns from pecking you on the head while protecting their nests . When you get to the four blinds you will split up into groups of four or less. You will get a chance to spend about 20 minutes in each of the blinds during your two hour stay on the island. In the blinds there are several little wooden sliding doors which you open carefully to view the birds. After you have been in the blind for five minutes or so the birds will calm down and come in close as long as you're quiet. There are approximately 2500 pairs of Puffins, 100 or so Razorbill Auks and 30 or 40 Common Murres nesting on the island. Depending on the time of year and time of day you may see the Puffins returning to their nests with a catch of 5 or 6 little capelin or other fish perfectly lined up in their beaks to feed their young. They're so much fun to watch! If you bring a camera I recommend a long lens like a 200mm and ASA 100 film. What a picture taking opportunity. As you leave the island everyone will be buzzing about the experience! Once back on the boat the captain will circle the island so you can see the Murres and Razorbills which tend to live on the edge of the island. On the trip back you will see whales, seals on the rocks, and maybe even an Eagle from one of the nearby island nests. You will dock around 1:00pm and hopefully have enjoyed a wonderful experience to remember forever. Captain Norton's address is RR#1, 340 Main St., Jonesport, Me. 04649 and his phone number is 207-497-5933. The trip cost is $50.00 per person. HAPPY PUFFIN WATCHING !
Nel Anctil
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