From June 5 to June 18, 2007, I visited New Hampshire and Maine. The first and last days were travel days between Tucson, AZ and Manchester, NH on Southwest Airlines (all flights were on time). In between, I drove 2336 miles starting and ending in Manchester and spent roughly an equal amount of time in each state. I began in the White Mountains of central New Hampshire (3 days), moved north for a brief visit to the Connecticut Lakes region in northern NH then traveled east through Maine to Machias on the coast. Over a period of 5 days, I worked my way south down the Maine coast to the Portland area (visiting Acadia National Park and taking boat trips to Machias Seal Island and Eastern Egg Rock). I then returned to Connecticut Lakes and traveled back south through New Hampshire finishing up on the seacoast.

This trip was different from most of my annual June escapes from Arizona in that I spent the bulk of my time looking for a small number of target species (intensively so by my standards). I spent a fair portion of the remainder of my time sightseeing and too little time on casual birding and photography. I didn't focus at all on seeing a high number of species nor on seeing boreal species. Generally speaking, I don't like to do "target birding" when not working with clients -- too much like work. The reality is though that a trip with so much investment of time and money mandates a different approach. In fact, this trip actually felt very much like work at times -- I needed to have a plan for each day. However, since I was largely successful in terms of targets, I have to consider the trip successful in that regard. The downside was that the success came at the expense of a large chunk of my available days. I was disappointed not to be able to take a "see whatever I see" approach and I would have liked to spend more time on photography. In retrospect, spending two days on the Mt. Desert Island segment of Acadia National Park was a mistake (very touristy, mostly not enjoyable and a gross misuse of my time).

I saw 8 of my 10 targets  -- Greater Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Roseate Tern, Atlantic Puffin and Philadelphia Vireo in Maine; Bicknell's Thrush and Bay-breasted Warbler in New Hampshire; and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow in both states. I failed to find Glossy Ibis and my number one nemesis Black-billed Cuckoo (the two species that I wasn't confident about before a ball was kicked).

Trip timing was chosen to maximize my chances for Bicknell's Thrush and, based on my results, I have to say that I was right on the money. I wouldn't want to be looking for this species when it's not singing. Fortunately, the time frame was also good for my other targets, although Bay-breasted Warbler and Philadelphia Vireo are perhaps easier during migration in May.

Overall, the weather was good for birding. It was mostly dry with moderate temperatures and wind was only occasionally a problem (several partially windy days, two partially wet days, one warm and humid day). Mornings on the coast were foggy and drizzly for a few days but this caused few problems in terms of results. Seas were definitely on the calm side for the bulk of my time on the coast (if I can take two boat rides without puking, you know it's calm). Away from the immediate coast, mosquitoes were prevalent but not a problem with the proper precautions. In the northern forests, Black Flies were not as much of a problem as I had expected, just an annoyance at times. I did not encounter any ticks.

Itinerary
Franconia, NH     June 5, 6, 7
Pittsburg, NH       June 8
Machias, ME       June 9, 10
Ellsworth, ME      June 11, 12
Portland, ME       June 13, 14
Pittsburg, NH       June 15
Portsmouth, NH   June 16
Manchester, NH  June 17

Notes on selected species:

Atlantic Puffin
Provided that the weather cooperates and boat trips run as scheduled, Puffins are a forgone conclusion on Machias Seal Island at this time of year. Many birds are present on the island and if you have a calm day and can go ashore, close up views and photo opportunities abound (also for Razorbill and Common Murre). All three species can still be seen well even if you can't go ashore. I also visited Eastern Egg Rock (for Roseate Tern) where there are only a few puffins and all views are from a boat.

Bicknell's Thrush
I allowed three days in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to find the bird and I needed them all. I hiked the Caps Ridge Trail at Jefferson Notch (June 6), drove the Mt. Washington Auto Road (June 7) and took the tram to the top of Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch State Park (June 8). Although I heard and briefly saw the thrush on Caps Ridge Trail and on Mt. Washington, I had to wait until I visited Cannon Mountain to obtain excellent views.

The Caps Ridge Trail required a fair amount of moderately strenuous walking and climbing but was far and away the most satisfying in terms of a sense of achievement. As a bonus, this location has far fewer people and a variety of other species to enjoy. Based on my limited three day experience (during this June time frame and this year at least, your mileage may vary), Cannon is the way to go to "guarantee" success. However, I have to say that, despite the physical effort required, I enjoyed the challenge of the Caps Ridge Trail versus the "easy way" on Washington/Cannon, both of which have their problems (see journal entries).

By the way, much is made of the 3000 feet level (and above) to find this bird. Just be aware that the Bicknell's (and all high elevation obligates for that matter) do not carry altimeters. It's not a specific elevation that they need, it's a specific type of habitat. While 3000 feet is the nominal elevation where appropriate habitat usually starts, it can vary depending on the aspect of a particular location (sheltered, open, etc.). The same goes for the elevation where habitat peters out at treeline (also variable). I've seen it stated that 4000 feet is too high (this is a load of old codswallop). Seekers of this bird should familiarize themselves with the habitat type and look for that.

Bay-breasted Warbler
This was my first time looking for this species. I expected the bird to be tough and it was. Including extra travel (mainly due to a ripple effect -- missing the bird and having to show up for a boat reservation), I expended at least 3 days before finding one in the Connecticut Lakes region on my second attempt there on June 15. Thus, my two most desired species, Bicknell's and Bay-breasted, took a hefty chunk of the total trip.

I also looked for them further south. However, a quick look at a range map will tell you that, outside of its main breeding range in Canada, Bay-breasted is mainly restricted to northern New England and is most reliable in Maine. Based on my research, my own results and reports from others during the trip, the further south one goes the more iffy (cyclic) the breeding status becomes. Apparently, this is a food source issue (budworms) and they are not present every year in marginal locations.

Philadelphia Vireo
Like Bay-breasted, this vireo has a limited breeding range in the United States (similar range to Bay-breasted) and it ranked third on my priority list. I'd tried extensively for the bird before in North Dakota without a sniff of success. In the course of my research for this trip, I figured that I would find the bird with relative ease once in the proper range and habitat. I identified Grafton Notch State Park in the western mountains of Maine as a good location and was successful at my first attempt there on June 9. I also heard a bird near Pittsburg in the Connecticut Lakes region of New Hampshire. Based on reports from others while on the trip, birds were seen regularly in multiple northern locations.

My tip if you are after this bird -- learn to differentiate its song from the widespread and constantly singing Red-eyed Vireo. Not too difficult with a modicum of effort.

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
My plan was to look for this species in salt marshes in New Hampshire since Nelson's is less likely there as a source of confusion. Based on many reports, this is not a hard bird to find. I saw them in marshes between Ogunquit and Wells in southern Maine as well as at Chapman's Landing in New Hampshire. Although these two locations were the only places that I seriously looked for the sparrow, my research indicates that any suitable coastal marsh should have the birds.

General
Common Eider, Great Black-backed Gull and American Herring Gull were common and easily seen at almost any stop along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. Laughing Gull and Ring-billed Gull were seen at many locations, Bonaparte's Gull further south. Black Guillemot (Maine) and non breeding plumaged Common Loons were less common but still seen often. Terns were uncommon along the coast; Common, Artic and Roseate were very numerous at Eastern Egg Rock. Northern Gannets were close to shore in mid coast Maine (and southern Maine by other reports); I only looked for off-shore species at Pemaquid Point where I saw Greater and Sooty Shearwaters.

I didn't focus on warblers. Seen or heard regularly in suitable habitat were Northern Parula (common), Yellow (common), Magnolia (fairly common), Black-throated Blue (uncommon), Black-throated Green (abundant), Blackburnian (uncommon), Prairie (locally fairly common), Blackpoll (common), Black-and-White (common), American Redstart (fairly common), Ovenbird (abundant) and Common Yellowthroat (abundant). I also saw Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Pine, Northern Waterthrush (and of course, Bay-breasted!). I'm sure that many more would have been possible had that been my goal.

Reference Material
For planning, I made extensive use of the internet and monitored the Maine and New Hampshire bird lists over a period of several years (a distinct benefit of my procrastination in making this trip). This allowed me to build up a good knowledge of habitat types and where birds are seen regularly (unfortunately, not enough for the bloody cuckoo!). I also used the De Lorme atlases and birdfinding guides for both states.

A Birder's Guide to New Hampshire, Alan Delorey; published 1996.
Out of print but I found a copy at a used book store in 2006.

Good on written directions and has decent maps, not so good on birdfinding. Strong in the south, weak in the north. Has bar graphs but no species accounts except for a few pages on Bicknell's Thrush.

A Birder's Guide to Maine, Elizabeth & Jan Erik Pierson and Peter Vickery; published 1996
I purchased a copy in 1999 for my 2000 winter trip.

Comprehensive. Good on general birdfinding, poor on written directions but has decent maps. However, does not include even a rudimentary state map to put the various regions into perspective. A bad omission. Has bar graphs and a few species accounts for species that the authors think the reader is looking for, a poor assumption..

Definitely try to get both books if you plan to visit either state for a similar trip. However, you will certainly need to do additional homework for the more difficult species as both books are not very good on specific birdfinding due to the lack of detailed species accounts.