Have you always wanted to see the beauty of Hog Island and surrounding areas with a dedicated instructor? This year we will offer day trips designed for birders, families and nature enthusiasts. Lodging will not be provided, but meals will be included for some programs. 

NOTE: All programs are designed for 15 years old and up, except for the all-ages programs.  Minors under 15 must have a parent or guardian present for the all-ages programs. 

2023 Day Trips will be postponed.  Check back here to find new trips added.

2022 Day Trip Schedule:

MAY - All dates are open for registration.  Click the links below for each Day Trip to register.

• May 24, 2022 – Midcoast Maine Birding - $120 - Register Now
• May 25, 2022 – Egg Rock and Hog Island Birding - $160 -  SOLD OUT
• May 26, 2022 – Hog Island Painting & Sketching - $120 - CANCELLED
• May 27, 2022 – Monhegan Island Birding - $180 -  SOLD OUT

 

Day Trip Descriptions:

Monhegan Island Birding

Spend a day with Hog Island Audubon Camp instructors on stunning Monhegan Island. Departing from Hog Island, we will search for pelagic species as we head 12 miles off-shore. Upon our arrival on Monhegan, we will search for breeding birds and observe migrating species that are heading north. Boxed lunches will be provided at the time of departure and we will have a picnic in the middle of the day. Please bring your own beverages or plan to purchase them on the island. Backpacks are encouraged as you will need to carry your boxed lunch with you. We will be outdoors for the whole trip so bring layers for the boat and for unexpected weather events. Sturdy hiking shoes are encouraged as we will transverse uneven terrain on Monhegan. On our way back to Hog Island we will circle around Eastern Egg Rock and observe nesting seabirds.

Program will start and end at the Hog Island Audubon Camp dock. Please arrive between 7:00 and 7:30am to check-in and park. We will be back to the mainland at approximately 3:30pm.

Instructors:
Mark Garland, Bird Guide
Eva Matthews Lark, Hog Island Program Manager

Egg Rock and Hog Island Birding

Eastern Egg Rock is home to the famous seabird restoration Project Puffin. Hog Island Audubon staff will take you on a boat trip to observe nesting seabirds including Atlantic Puffin, Roseate Tern, Arctic Tern, and Common Tern on Eastern Egg Rock. We will search the inshore waters for scoters (all three species) and nesting raptors. Back on Hog Island, we will enjoy an outdoor lunch prepared by our chef team, followed by a hike to the historical Bingham Cottages on Hog Island. Birding highlights will include Purple Finches, nesting warblers and a search for crossbills. Participants will also see our resident Osprey pair up-close in the nest. Please bring layers for the boat trip and wear sturdy hiking shoes for the uneven trails.

Program will start and end at the Hog Island Audubon Camp dock. Please arrive between 8:00 and 8:30am to check-in and park. We will be back to the mainland after lunch at approximately 1:30pm.

Instructors:
Mark Garland, Bird Guide
Eva Matthews Lark, Hog Island Program Manager
Eric Snyder, Hog island Facilities Manager

Mid-coast Maine Birding

Join Hog Island Audubon staff to explore the mainland birding hotspots near Hog Island. Participants can join us in our 15-passenger vans or they can caravan in their own personal vehicles. We will meet at the Hog Island mainland facilities for check-in and then drive to our two birding locations. First, we will head to a famous Hog Island birding spot in nearby Medomak. Here we will search for Virginia Rail, observe nesting Alder Flycatchers, and search for wetland species such as Wood Duck. Next, we will head to Great Salt Bay maintained by the Coastal Rivers Coservation Trust. where we will have a picnic lunch provided by Hog Island chefs. Afterwards, we will spend some time on the trails looking for species such as Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, and many breeding warblers that call these trails home. Please bring your own water bottles for the trip. We will have a water cooler available to fill up your water bottles at lunch-time. Come prepared for all types of weather, wear sturdy shoes and have both bug spray and sunscreen in your day pack.

Program will start at the Hog Island Audubon mainland buildings. We will depart for our caravan at promptly 8:30am. Please arrive before to check-in. We will end our day around 1:30pm.

Instructors:
Mark Garland, Bird Guide
Eva Matthews Lark, Hog Island Program Manager

Hog Island Painting and Sketching Workshop

Hog Island's history is rich with artists and authors enjoying the island’s majestic views to inspire their craft. Join us for this day-long workshop with local artist and Hog Island instructor, Sherrie York, as we explore Hog Island and learn about sketching, watercolors and field journals. Bring your own supplies for this program. An outdoor lunch will be catered by our Hog Island chefs. A hike will be included in the day so please wear sturdy hiking shoes for the uneven trails.

Program will start and end at the Hog Island Audubon Camp dock. Please arrive between 9:00 and 9:30am to check-in and park. We will be back to the mainland at approximately 2pm.

Instructors:
Sherrie York - Artist and Coordinator of Hog Island's Audubon Artist Residency
Eric Snyder, Hog island Facilities Manager

Registration:

2022 registration opens on February 1, 2022. Due to limited capacity, please be advised that all registrations will be added to our waitlist, and will be accepted into programs on a first-come, first-served basis. 

All participants must agree to the COVID-19 Camp Guidelines - please read before registering.

NOTE: Audubon reserves the right to alter itineraries, instructors and particular arrangements, or to substitute similar itineraries or arrangements, at no penalty. If Audubon cancels a session, it will issue full refunds of all deposits or payments to the paid participants.