Puffins and Other Seabirds

Fairly soon after we arrived at Green Lake NFH we called up Robertson Sea Tours to reserve a spot on one of their Puffin trips ($75 each).

The Kandi Leigh leaves out of Milbridge, Maine, about a 2-hour drive for us.

There were 4 other people on the tour with us.

Our morning started out foggy.

Lobster traps ready for the season to start.

As we cruised along the coastline of Downeast Maine, the fog cleared quickly.

Beautiful scenery along the coast.

This is our 3rd time to take this particular tour on the Kandi Leigh.  Captain Robertson always stops at this osprey nest.  It’s been here for many years.  If you look closely you can see the head of an Osprey.

We always see Harbor Seals hanging out. Some had pups with them, and one had twins!

This tour takes us out to Petit Manan. Petit Manan is a seabird nesting island and is not open to the public.  (Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge consists of 49 islands.  They stretch the entire coastline of Maine.  They vary in size from .5 - 1,321 acres with a total of 2,150 acres).

Petit Manan Lighthouse.

6-foot waves and fog rolling in and out made for some difficult photo opportunities! The target birds out here are in the Alcid family. They are ocean species that return to land only to nest. Like penguins, they use their wings to swim underwater and pursue fish.

Atlantic Puffins nest on Petit Manan Island and were actively flying around and feeding. 

 Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffins

Atlantic Puffins

We also saw a few Razorbills.

Razorbills

Black Guillemots have striking red feet that match the inside of their mouths!

 Black Guillemot

Black Guillemots flying

As we headed back the fog left us and our 2 1/2-hour trip ended with a cold but relaxing ride along the beautiful Maine coast.

Our final bird of the day was this Bald Eagle flying with a stick. It must have been working on its nest.

Bald Eagle