All participants must agree to the Camper Guidelines - coming soon.

Landing on Eastern Egg Rock will only be allowed if camp staff believe that  it doesn't pose a risk of safety to the individual.  Bad weather, tides or a person's ability to navigate the landing will be determining factors during the week.  Landings are wet, contain slippery rockweed and some light bouldering.  If you are not steady on your feet, you will not be allowed to land.

June 2–6, 2024 * This session is now Sunday pm through Thursday am. *

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join Audubon seabird biologists Stephen Kress and Don Lyons as we visit nesting puffins and their seabird neighbors.

This popular offering provides participants with the opportunity to land at Eastern Egg Rock during the nesting season to observe puffins, black guillemots, eiders, and three tern species: Common, Arctic, and Roseate Terns. Located just eight miles from Hog Island, Eastern Egg Rock is noted for being the world’s first restored seabird community.

Although most Hog Island campers circle Egg Rock by boat, in this session participants come ashore to be among the birds as they incubate and feed their young. Photo opportunities abound with close-up views of puffins and other seabirds from observation blinds. The island experience is enriched by interactions with in-resident young biologists working to protect and monitor the puffins and other species.

In addition to this unique and special field experience, participants will develop a thorough knowledge of seabird ecology via informative talks about species identification, migration, courtship, nesting behavior, and conservation. Instructors will share their decades of experience conducting seabird research and conservation, including Audubon’s pioneering work in Maine as well as conservation success stories from around the world.  A special workshop will be provided about decoys used for social attraction and each participate will be able to paint their own Least Tern Decoy to take home.

Prices: Below are listed per person and include meals, housing, instruction, and all boat trips. Participants must arrange transportation to and from the Audubon dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session. Check with your local Audubon chapter or bird club to see if scholarships are available.

$1890 Standard Room: shared room (2 twin beds), shared bathroom
$2190 Single room, shared bathroom
$2190 Osprey Room, Eider room, or Guillemot room, 2 twin beds, private bathroom (dbl occupancy)
$2390 Helm Cabin, 1 queen bed, 1 twin bed, private bathroom (dbl occupancy) 

Program Director:
Don Lyons, Conservation Science Director, National Audubon's Seabird Institute

2024 Instructors:
Anthony Hill, Bird Bander and Project Puffin Volunteer
Steve Kress, Founder of Project Puffin
 

Landing on a Maine seabird island. Photo: Stephen Kress

Atlantic Puffin with fish. Photo: Jean Hall

Bird blind on Matinicus Rock. Photo: Jean Hall

Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill Photo: Jean Hall

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