Birding Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut is the least visited part of Acadia National Park by birdwatchers yet a unique feature of the Park. The 8,000-acre island—3,200 acres of which are part of Acadia—is just off the shores of Stonington, Maine. Although the island has a low variety of breeding songbirds because of its mono-landscape dominated by Red Spruce and Balsam Fir, it is ideally located as a migratory stopover for a variety of warblers, shorebirds, and terns. This means the best time to visit the island is May or August. Lastly, the island is accessible only by ferry, this allows the ideal opportunity to scan the waters for Northern Gannet, Black Guillemot, Common Eider among other sea ducks and pelagic birds.

Details

Activity

Birdwatching

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Isle au Haut

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

A flock of Common Terns feeding off the coast of Isle au Haut

Will Greene, Friends of Acadia, NPS

There are two destinations for landing on Isle au Haut from the ferry, Town Landing and Duck Harbor. A Park Ranger is typically on the ferry over to answer any questions and help you to either destination. The best birding locations are along the southern end of the island and therefore the Duck Harbor is the most convenient location to get off at. If you do get off at Town Landing, walking Duck Harbor Trail to the southern end allows you to sample typical breeding birds such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Once you are at Duck Harbor area, take the Western Head Trail along the shore. This puts your through ideal habitat for breeding Dark-eyed Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Song Sparrow. Once the trail opens views along the rocky coast scan nearby rocks for Double-crested Cormorant and Spotted Sandpiper. This is also the best spot to search for Common and Arctic Tern. If you are visiting in Spring or Fall, this is great chance to see lingering Purple Sandpiper, Harlequin Duck, and Ruddy Turnstone.

Continue to follow the shore up the Cliff Trail, make sure you have good sturdy shoes for this rocky trail. If you are visiting for half-day then loop back on Western Head Road or continue on the Goat Trail and loop back to Duck Harbor along the dirty road. The Goat Trail takes you through some marsh area, a great place to spot Red-winged Blackbird, Great Blue Heron or Common Yellowthroat.

If you are camping here (see info on camping on Isle au Haut here), it is also worthwhile exploring the Long Pond Trail for American Redstart and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Merlin has been spotted around there as well and may even be an uncommon breeder. You may also get to view Great and Little Spoon Islands, just east of Isle au Haut, where Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull nest.

Notable Acadia Species: Northern Goshawk, Wilson’s Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow