An outing to Machias Seal Island, ME

Today I just HAVE to write about an outing that a good friend of mine had last Saturday.
I got her permission to write about her experience and also to use the fantastic photos that she took.

For more information just click on the "links".
Last Saturday there was a "Bird Festival" nearby and D. Fitzgerald took the opportunity to book a trip to Seal Island near Machias, Maine.
Seal Island is "the home of the Atlantic Puffin" and other coastal animals.

Their event calendar shows a lot more activities if you are interested in birding and such. 

D. too a boat ride over the frigid waters and was not disappointed.  Visitors are allowed to use observation blinds, close to where the birds are.

Atlantic Puffins, Machias Seal Island, May 24, 2014

D. also explained that ["you have to book a seat on the boat to Machias Seal Island months in advance because it is so popular. It might be fully booked now for this summer but I don't know that for sure. The puffins only stay until late August so it's a short window to see them."]

There is another page on their website that lists what other birds can be found in this area.
This side also provides information about the other type of birds found in/on
Roosevelt Campobello International Park and
Campobello Island, New Brunswick:

["Besides Alcids and Gulls, many boreal nesting species also can be found among the more than 150 bird species sighted here. The island has nesting locations of chickadees, jays, Merlin, thrushes, woodpeckers, and quite a few warblers and other songbirds. Also watch for Canada Geese, grosbeaks, and Blue-winged Teal."]

Who knows how long we will be able to have puffins around here?
It might be a one of the last decade when we may see these birds in this area.
I recently read several articles in Norwegian newspapers that they found their famous bird island "Runde", near Aasund, totally abandoned this year.

Beautiful Atlantic Puffin

It was known that the puffin population there had declined over the last 30 years to by two-third, but this spring no puffins have shown up at all. There are gone. That is scary.

Researchers attribute the disappearance to the rising ocean temperatures worldwide and collapse of the fish population in the Northern Sea.
The food sources for the puffins have disappeared and the birds starved, no new chicks are raised.
Some birds might have started to find other areas where they can survive.

Another bird seen on Seal Island are the Razorbills.

Having Fun

Mating Razorbills, Machias Seal Island, Saturday, May 24, 2014.