​​​Woodcocks Gone Wild!

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March 28 or 29, 2026 (see below)​​

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Cost - $10 per person
 

Join us for our annual evening outing for the sky-dancing of the American Woodcock. Witness the spectacular show as this cryptic and secretive species erupts in a swirling and twirling display of sound and flight.

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We have decided to do things a little differently this year since the weather is so unpredictable and we want to offer the best viewing opportunity possible. Therefore, we will hold the program on either 3/28 or 3/29 depending on weather conditions. The date will be confirmed 2 days in advance, so we ask if you sign up that you be available for either date. Our outing will take place in Durham, exact location to be determined (we’re working on a brand new, also completely exclusive location!)

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The viewing site will only involve a short walk on a paved or graveled driveway and/or mowed trails, depending on the exact location we chose. Feel free to bring a folding chair. As usual, we’ll start with a short talk about woodcocks and their ecology before getting in position for the sunset.

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We are requesting pre-registration at the link above. This will allow us to email folks specific directions shortly before the event and communicate efficiently.

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To get a feel for the evening's performance, see the recap of our 2025 trip.

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Monhegan Spring Migration Weekend

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May 22-25, 2026

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Cost - $80 per day, see below.

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Join Derek on Monhegan during the height of spring migration for 1-4 days searching the island for regular visitors, rarities, and vagrants. This is a casual outing, with boat and hotel reservations, as well as meals, on your own. Although we are likely to eat meals together, we'll have more flexibility on rooming and eating arrangements this way. Also, you can come and go as you please, based on whatever boat and departure times and locations suit you best. Sign up for 1,2, 3,or 4 days (*we ask for a commitment of at least 2 days - anyone requesting a single day will be waitlisted*), we will let you know the time and place to meet based on your arrival.

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Late May is a fantastic time to visit Maine’s Monhegan Island. Warblers in their summer finery are pouring through the Northeast, and many will drift over the Gulf of Maine on their nocturnal flights. Come dawn, the birds seek refuge on land, and Monhegan Island is perfectly positioned to catch arrivals. Rapidly changing weather conditions can result in massive “fallouts” of tired migrants, many of which will forage in the rocks on the shoreline. The possibility of overshoots from the south and vagrants from almost any direction adds icing to the cake of the fantastic birding afforded by this quaint little island. 

Once again, we’ll be staying at the Trailing Yew (although folks are welcome, as always, to stay elsewhere). We have blocked off rooms for 8 people each night. Reservations are made through the Trailing Yew. While we don’t have a group rate, the reasonable price includes an excellent breakfast. A flashlight or a sleeping bag, if you are one to get cold at night, are also recommended. No matter where you are staying on Monhegan, however, bring one more layer than you think you will need!

 

Remember, you do not have to stay or eat with us, but of course, your company is most welcome! Coffee and tea are also available wherever you choose to stay before breakfast, to fuel those first couple of hours of birding. About one week or so before the date, you'll receive an email with a daily schedule for what times and where each walk will meet. That way, you can come and go as you please, feeling free to take in the museum, art galleries, hiking trails, etc...or just sleep in!

 

For those beginning the tour on Friday, we recommend reserving the 10:30 Monhegan Boat Line ferry out of Port Clyde. For those who do, our birding day will begin at 8:30 at the Marshall Point Lighthouse to look for migrants, depending on conditions, which may include birds that departed Monhegan at sunrise.

Check out Derek's blog for a rundown of the 2014 tour in which a first state record Brewer's Sparrow was the icing on the cake of a weekend that included 94 species (including 19 species of warblers), and many other goodies, such as a Summer Tanager, 2 Orchard Orioles, a Clay-colored Sparrow, an exceptional Eastern Kingbird show, and some outstanding views of many species of warblers:
 

Our 2016 tour featured 98 species including 20 species of warblers, along with a Purple Martin, White-eyed Vireo, both Red and White-winged Crossbills, a roosting Common Nighthawk and an exclusive bird-friendly beer!​ During the 2017 tour, we had good looks at Summer Tanagers, Cattle Egrets, and Orange-crowned Warbler. 
 

On our 2018 tour , 97 species were highlighted by 18 species of warblers including lots of Blackpoll, Tennessee, and Blackburnians and 1 Mourning; a Brant and 3 Eastern Bluebirds (rare on the island), Summer Tanager, Red Crossbills, and a whole lot more. ​The 2019 tour produced a warbler fallout along with White-winged and Eurasian Collared Doves (Maine's second state record!).

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The 2021 tour had a very nice crossbill showing. And, the 2022 tour featured a very cooperative Black-billed Cuckoo.​ 2023 was highlighted by a flycatching Blue Grosbeak and both Red and White-winged Crossbills stole the show in 2024. 2025 was the best weekend we have had in several years.

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PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY CONTACTING US DIRECTLY. Hotel and ferry reservations must be made on your own. The trip is limited to 10 people per day. 

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Bicknell's Thrush Weekend

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June 12-14, 2026

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Cost per person:

Double Occupancy - $350

Single Occupancy - $450

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The latest incarnation of our Bicknell’s Thrush weekend offers more chances to see the enigmatic Bicknell’s Thrush and even better boreal birding opportunities!

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With two full mornings in the area, we’ll have flexibility to offer two visits to the realm of the Bicknell’s. Our base this year will be Colebrook, NH, with a room at the quaint but clean and comfortable Colebrook Country Club and Motel (included; details below). From there, we will carpool (carpooling will be critical for these excursions for the sake of efficiency) to several local birding sites and drive uphill twice (between two mornings and one evening) for the thrush.

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While Bicknell’s Thrush is the primary target, this enhanced itinerary will also give us an even better chance at other boreal species, including Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers, and especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler.  By staying in Colebrook, we have the opportunity to look for additional boreal targets anywhere from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (the famous hotspots are only 30 minutes from Colebrook!) to the Umbagog NWR area, including Spruce Grouse and Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers.

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We’ll meet for a welcome dinner at 5:30 pm (subject to change based on reservation availability) on Friday, and plan for the upcoming days. We’ll have a very early departure on Saturday morning for our first of three timeframes to venture up the mountain for the thrush. (If weather suggests otherwise, we’ll begin our tour in the boreal forest and then head uphill for sunset following an early dinner).

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We’ll be on the road before the town wakes up so we’ll serve a light continental breakfast (included), upon arrival in the realm of the Bicknell’s Thrush. Coffee will be available in the rooms. (Feel free to bring your own food based on dietary restrictions or interests!)

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We’ll spend as much time as necessary, or until it just gets too late to have a chance at the thrush, enjoying the likes of Blackpoll Warblers and perhaps a Fox Sparrow or two. Canada Jays, Bay-breasted Warblers, and Black-backed Woodpeckers (including a nest in 2025!) have been present in the past couple of years here as well. We’ll be on foot for a while, including some steepish inclines, but most of our birding will be on dirt roads or short sections of rocky trail, rarely far from vehicles. Then, we’ll begin our trek downhill, making stops for other specialties, especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler, most of which will be roadside or via short, easy walks.

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If we have success in the morning, we’ll do some boreal birding after lunch, or some casual birding in the varied habitats in and around Colebrook. If not, we’ll have an afternoon break before an early dinner and a visit up the mountain for dusk. Since the thrush is usually only vocal at dawn and dusk, the chance of us detecting them outside of these times is extremely low.

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On Sunday, we’ll either head back uphill early for the Bicknell’s Thrush, or focus on other boreal species, depending on the success of the previous day. Having two full mornings (and one evening) to search for the thrush takes the pressure off the weather forecast, and on the decision-making. We’ll choose the best two times to head up based on current conditions.

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We’ll return to Colebrook either for, or shortly after, lunch, depending on where we bird in the morning. Afterwards, there will be an optional excursion to one or more local spots to try and clean up some of the species that we may have missed or to add some birds to the triplist (no carpooling required as we can head our separate ways when we are ready.)

 

Included:

2 days of guiding and guide expenses

Lodging for 2 nights

Breakfasts in the field on both mornings

 

Not included:

Transportation, but carpooling will be require.

Lunches and dinners

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Recommended items to pack:

In addition to binoculars, feel free to bring a camera, but this is not a photo tour and photographic opportunities for the thrush will likely be very limited due to low light

Warm layer(s) for late evening and early morning

Sturdy, preferably waterproof footwear as mud is always likely

Bug repellent, clothing, head nets, or anything else you prefer

Rain gear – we’ll be going out rain or shine, unless extremely heavy rain impacts road conditions

Snack or canned/bottled coffee/tea for early morning before breakfast is served on the mountain

 

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Birds of Casco Bay - Boat Tour​

 

​August 2026 TBA

October 2026 TBA

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Cost - $60 (adult)/$35 (child)

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August:

Join the crew of Seacoast Tours and Derek Lovitch from Freeport Wild Bird Supply on a special tour of the islands and waters of Casco Bay. We’ll explore the inner islands of Freeport, Brunswick and Harpswell as we search for osprey, eagles, eiders, Common Terns, and an occasional seal basking in the sun on the ledges of hidden coves. We’ll focus on the common breeding water and shoreline birds of the region, including photographic opportunities whenever we can, but without disturbing any nests.

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This special small-group trip is timed for the peak of shorebird migration. We’ll explore a few islands for possible roosting sites, but spend most of our time working the extensive mudflats of the Royal River Estuary. In fact, the local Indigenous Peoples called the river Westcustogo, meaning “muddy.”  Rich with benthic invertebrates, large numbers of shorebirds feed here during their southbound migration.  On a private tour last year, we encountered hundreds of shorebirds of seven species, mostly in close proximity to the boat.  Many were side-by-side, allowing for easy analysis and comparison to learn the basics of shorebird identification, so our goal is to recreate that experience.

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October:

Join the crew of Seacoast Tours and Derek Lovitch from Freeport Wild Bird Supply on a special tour of the islands and waters of Casco Bay. We’ll explore the inner islands of Freeport, Brunswick and Harpswell as we search for eagles, migrant waterfowl, and an occasional seal basking in the sun on the ledges of hidden coves. We’ll focus on the common resident and migratory water and shoreline birds of the region, including photographic opportunities whenever we can.

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Conditions and tide permitting, we’ll poke around the mouth of Maquoit Bay and especially up into Middle Bay, two of the richest areas for waterfowl concentrations.  If we can find a mass of American Black Ducks, we’ll scour them for a variety of other dabblers, such as Green-winged Teal and Northern Shovelers.  Some of our wintering and migratory bayducks, such as Surf and White-winged Scoters will just be arriving, and Common Loons begin to build in for the winter.

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Our October 2025, August 2025,  October 2024, and  August 2024,  tour reports are posted on our website to give you an idea of what we saw.  On our June 2021 trip, unexpected highlights included a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Roseate Tern, while in July of 2022, we found an oversummering Surf Scoter in addition to the usual summer denizens. 

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Monhegan Fall Migration Weekend

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September 25-28, 2026 

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Cost - $80 per day; see below.

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Join Derek on Monhegan during the height of migration for 1-4 days searching the island for regular visitors, rarities, and vagrants. If you haven't experienced Maine's Migration Mecca, now is the time! And if you're like many of our regular travelers, you know you can't wait to get back.

This is a casual outing, with boat and hotel reservations, as well as meals, on your own. Also, you can come and go as you please, based on whatever boat and departure times and locations suit you best. Sign up for 1,2, 3, or 4 days (*we ask for a commitment of at least 2 days - anyone requesting a single day will be waitlisted*), we will give you the time and place to meet us on the island based on when you arrive.

Once again, we’ll be staying at the Trailing Yew (although folks are welcome, as always, to stay elsewhere). We have blocked off rooms for 8 people each night. Reservations are made through the Trailing Yew. While we don’t have a group rate, the reasonable price includes an excellent breakfast. A flashlight or a sleeping bag, if you are one to get cold at night, are also recommended. No matter where you are staying on Monhegan, however, bring one more layer than you think you will need!

Remember, you do not have to stay or eat with us, but of course, your company is most welcome! Coffee and tea are also available wherever you choose to stay before breakfast, to fuel those first couple of hours of birding. About one week or so before the date, you'll receive an email with a daily schedule for what times and where each walk will meet. That way, you can come and go as you please, feeling free to take in the museum, art galleries, hiking trails, etc...or just sleep in!

​

For those beginning the tour on Friday, we recommend reserving the 10:30 Monhegan Boat Line ferry out of Port Clyde. For those who do, our birding day will begin at 8:30 at the Marshall Point Lighthouse to look for migrants, depending on conditions, which may include birds that departed Monhegan at sunrise.

In the eleven years we have run this trip on this weekend, we have averaged 95 species, including 17 species of warblers! Here are Derek’s tour reports to see what you are missing!:

2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021,2022, 2024, 2025

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Don’t miss this year’s excitement!

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY CONTACTING US DIRECTLY. Hotel and ferry reservations must be made on your own. The trip is limited to 10 people per day.

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