birding trip post #5

After birdwatching in Jamaica Bay on Thursday, I drove up to Maine. I kept driving on Friday in order to catch the afternoon ferry to Grand Manan Island where I plan to stay put for a few days.

The ferry ride was fun. I found it curious when the captain insisted on rearranging a lot of the vehicles before departure, but I think I figured out why. There were some pretty significant swells and so I think he was especially concerned to have the weight evenly distributed. Anyway, I always complain that ships feel about as steady as terra firma when I’m on them, so this was a nice change.

Being on ferries also allows one to do some pelagic birdwatching. Doesn’t it look like fun?

It is true that oceans involve a lot of non-birds, but when one does see a bird it is quite likely to be a species that one wouldn’t see on land even if one is at the shore. I added two species on the 1 1/2 hour ferry ride: Common Murre and Red-throated Loon. I also saw two small flocks Common Eiders. I’ve only seen them a couple of times before in my life and had never gotten decent looks at males in breeding plumage. Compare the nonbreeding plumage with the breeding plumage and you’ll see why the latter is special.

Here’s one of the lighthouses on the island:

Lighthouses are important here. Grand Manan has long been notorious for the number of shipwrecks in the area. The book Shipwrecks of Grand Manan describes over 300 wrecks—I don’t know how comprehensive the book is. As it turns out, I will be a beneficiary of this tragic history. The island is crisscrossed with dozens of trails that were used to be able to get quickly to different points along the coast during rescue attempts. Those trails now make for lovely hiking.

Some more trivia about the island:

• Grand Manan was given to the British in 1817 in exchange for the islands Dudley, Frederick, and Moose, which are now part of Maine. A nearby island, Machias Seal Island, is still disputed territory. But we Canadians staff the lighthouse on it.
• There are at least four Baptist churches on this little island.
• All students at the local school are required to take an aquaculture class in grade 9.

Here’s the view from the window of the room in which I will be staying for the next few days:

And the ferry departing:

I save some money if I never return. You only have to buy a ferry ticket if you return to the mainland.

Sydney