Maine and
the Gaspé Peninsula
July 14 -20, 2018
Saturday July 14
We left early for the long trek north. We broke up the ride by stopping and
shopping at the Kittery Trading Post in southern Maine. Kelli wasn't feeling
well so we just had ice-cream for lunch. We arrived very tired at the Best Western Acadia Park Inn
along the road leading to Bar Harbor. Mark arrived a little while after us. Later
he headed into Bar Harbor to look around. We had planned a dinner with Father
Emile, Kelli's former boss. We met him and caught up a little but Kelli still wasn't
feeling well enough to go out to eat. She stayed back to rest and Father and I had a
nice dinner and great conversation at a local eatery down the road, the Log Cabin Restaurant.
Afterwards, Kelli and I retired for the night for a long deserved sleep.
Sunday, July 15
We were up early and headed to Acadia National Park. Our first stop was the Wild Gardens of
Acadia.
Canada Day Lily
White-tailed Deer
We found Purple Finches in the parking lot, explored the gardens and walked the trail called Jesup Path behind the gardens and found Swamp Sparrow, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green Warbler.
We paid the entrance fee and drove along the Park Loop Road. Stops included Thunder Hole. The rock formation makes a thundering clap when a wave enters the hollowed out rocks.
We found Harbor Porpoises off Otter Point along with Common Eider and Black Guillemots. In the Cedars we had, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskins, Northern Parula, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
 Pine Siskin |
 Red-breasted Nuthatch |
We made our way to the top of Cadillac Mountain at 1,530 feet the views of the coast was fantastic.
We had lunch at the Log Cabin and dropped Kelli off back at the hotel so she could rest. Mark and I headed to the Wonderland Trail. We saw many of the same birds including this Hermit Thrush.
Hermit Thrush
Monday, July 16, 2018
We were up early and after breakfast at the hotel we started the long drive to Percé, Quebec. We crossed the border into New Brunswick at Houlton. We had no wait and a friendly female border guard welcomed us to her country. We stopped at the visitors center and even took a break on the swings outside. We continued on our way, disappointed that we did not have time to visit "Potato World"
We had lunch at a Tim Hortons in Grand Falls. After a few more hours of driving we had dinner at an A&W, after another hour we finally arrived at Hotel les trois Soeurs in Percé, QC.
PercéRock
Tuesday, July 17,2018
We woke early and had breakfast next door before heading to the dock for the boat over to Bonaventure Island and the Gannet Colony. The boat first circles the Island and we saw tons of Northern Gannet, Common Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake, and I even saw two Atlantic Puffins flying away. A number of Gray Seals were loafing on the water.
 Black-legged Kittiwake |
 Black-legged Kittiwake |
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 Common Murres |
 Common Murre |
 Gray Seals |
 Gray Seal |
Northern Gannet |
 Razorbill |
Black Guillemot
We landed and got our orientation to the island. It was a steep climb up and Kelli wasn't feeling well. We stayed back and Mark continued on to see the Gannet colony from above. We decided to head back to the hotel, but first did some shopping on the mainland. Later the three of us decided to do a whale watch the next day before heading to our last destination.
Wednesday, July 18
We woke up to rain and fog, the whale watch was cancelled. It did clear a little and we saw a whale breach out in the waters off our hotel.
We headed out of Percé and first birded Barachois March. We had great looks at both Bank and Cliff Swallows; Savannah Sparrow and a fly by Whimbrel.
 Bank Swallow |
 Cliff Swallow |
We had a three and a half hour drive to the Gite du Mont-Albert Hotel in Parc national de la Gaspésie. We had a nice Chalet in the woods and quickly found Swainson's Thrush, Tennesee Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos, and a Philadelphia Vireo.
Bay-breasted Warbler |
 Tennessee Warbler |
Swainson's Thrush |
 Swainson's Thrush |
Red-eyed Vireo
Thursday, July 19
We birded Parc national de la Gaspésie around the hotel, and a number of trails including Lac Cascapédia and Sentier du Mt Ernest.
 American Redstart |
 Bay-breasted Warbler |
 Black-throated Green Warbler |
 Black-throated Green Warbler |
Blue-headed Vireo |
 Cedar Waxwings |
Blackpoll Warbler
Back at the hotel we were entertained by a Red Squirrel and a pair of Evening Grosbeaks.
Friday July 20
We birded across the road and visited Chute Du Diable. We
checked out of the hotel and on the way out we spotted a Golden Eagle overhead.
We made our way along the shore of the St Lawrence Seaway.
We crossed the border south of Montreal onto I-87 (The Northway) back into New York, but not before shopping at the duty free shop.
We stopped for the night at the Econo Lodge in Plattsburgh before making our way home the next morning. We put 2089 miles on the car.
Thanks for reading.
Michael and Kelli.