HOG
ISLAND ORNITHOLOGY CAMP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
1. What
are the specific classes about?
These vary between sessions, but see
the 'Elements
of the Ornithology Program' page on the web site for descriptions
of some of the field trips. The daily schedule is dependent on the
weather and will be announced the evening before each day's program.
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2. How many people per session?
May 30—June
4 - Maine
Seabird Biology and Conservation - 30
participants
June 13—18 - Joy
of Birding - 60 adults
June 20—25 - Field
Ornithology - 48 adults
June 20—25 - Coastal
Maine Bird Studies for Teens - 13
participants
September 12—17 - Maine
Seabird Biology and Conservation - 30
participants
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3. Mobility requirements?
We expect all participants to be in reasonably good health and to be able to walk unassisted over uneven ground. Getting in and out of small boats is important.
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4.
What kinds of foods are served?
We are very proud of the exceptional
foods that we offer to Hog Island Ornithology Camp participants.
Chef Jannii Laberge is well known for his expertise to past Audubon
Campers. We strive to obtain locally produced foods which are served
family-style.
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5.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Vegetarian option entrees are
provided for all meals. We will attempt to accommodate special diets,
but ask for details when you submit your registration materials.
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6.
How many people in the multiple shared housing?
The Crow’s Nest has three
rooms: The first has nine beds, the second has six beds, and the
third has two beds. The Queen Mary has one room for six, and five
rooms for two.
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7.
What sort of clothing should we bring?
Warm clothing is recommended (especially
for the first session). It is best to bring multiple layers,
and include gloves, warm hats, wool socks, etc. Rain gear is necessary,
and hats are recommended for both rainy and sunny conditions.
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8. What kind of footwear should I bring?
Sneakers are fine for
getting around camp and on boats; hiking boots are also helpful,
especially for walking over uneven terrain. For landing on islands,
we recommend sneakers, Tevas, or rubber shoes that you don’t mind
getting wet. An equipment list will be sent with your registration
information.
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9.
What about Binoculars?
Everyone should bring a pair of binoculars.
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10. Is there anything to purchase on Hog Island?
There is a small store that sells field guides and other books and gifts.
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11. Health Issues?
A health questionnaire will be sent to
all registrants as part of the registration information packet that
follows the receipt of your deposit. This must be returned to the
registrar prior to the beginning of your session. In the event of
an emergency, a boat is always available to take people to the mainland
and to the nearest hospital, which is 20 minutes away in Damariscotta.
The nearest hospital is Miles Memorial Hospital:
http://www.mileshealthcare.org/miles_homepage.cfm?id=509
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12. Is 'sea sickness' medicine recommended?
Most of the trips are in a protected
part of the bay. For those that readily get seasick, we recommend
bringing Bonine (which
can be purchased in various stores), acupressure wrist bracelets
and/or candied ginger.
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13. Can we Receive U.S. Mail or UPS deliveries?
Yes. The mailing and shipping
address is:
Hog Island Audubon Center
11 Audubon Road
Bremen, Maine
04551
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14. Are linens and blankets provided?
Yes, on arrival all of the beds are made with clean linens and blankets. There is no room service or change of linens typically provided.
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15. How do we get there?
See directions on the website. Damariscotta
is the nearest town. Bremen, Maine is the nearest post office. For
GPS systems, our mailing address is:
Hog Island Audubon Center
11 Audubon Road
Bremen, Maine
04551
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16.
What hotels are in the area?
Near Hog Island:
The Bradley Inn, New
Harbor
The Inn at Round Pond, Round Pond
Oak Gables B&B, Damariscotta
Hotel Pemaquid, New Harbor
Newcastle Inn, Newcastle
The Flying
Cloud B & B, Newcastle
The Mill Pond Inn, Damariscotta Mills
The Gosnold Arms, New Harbor
Sea Acres Cottages, Pemaquid
Near Rockland:
Berry Manor Inn,
Rockland
Captain Lindsey House,
Rockland
LimeRock Inn,
Rockland
Granite Inn,
Rockland
Hampton
Inn, Rockland/Thomaston
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17. What are some points of interest in the area?
The chambers of Commerce for Damariscotta and Rockland/Thomaston
have very helpful web sites. See:
Damariscotta region: http://www.damariscottaregion.com
Rockland/Thomaston region: http://www.therealmaine.com
Near Hog Island:
Pemaquid Point - a bold rocky peninsula with a lighthouse famous for being
featured on the Maine State quarter.
Monhegan Island - Located sixteen miles to sea from Hog Island,
the island is famous for its art community and winter lobstering fleet. Boats
to Monhegan are available from New Harbor on the Hardy
Boat Cruises.
Puffin Watching trips -
although puffin watching is part of the Hog Island experience,
some people can’t get enough
and like to add an additional trip to Egg Rock to the pre or post
Hog Island plans. The nearest trip to Egg Rock is with the Hardy
Boat Cruises.
Damariscotta -
offers many restaurants and shopping and the Damariscotta Mills
is the site of one of Maine’s
premier alewife runs. For information, visit: http://www.unity.edu/facultypages/aphillippi/alwife.htm
Before or after your Hog Island session, we encourage everyone to visit the Project
Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. Located at 311 Main Street, the Center
features live-streaming video from Seal
Island National Wildlife Refuge, a theatre
for viewing a documentary about Project Puffin, seabird art, a gift
shop and exhibits for all ages about Maine seabirds. The Center is a 40 minute
drive from Hog Island. There are many other interesting attractions in Rockland
as well. Some of these are:
Farnsworth Art Gallery (featuring the work of the Wyeth family): http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/current-exhibitions
Maine Lighthouse Museum: http://www.mainelighthousemuseum.com
Owl’s Head Transportation
Museum: http://www.ohtm.org
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18.
Where are some good places to go birding before or after my Hog Island session?
The new Maine birding trail guide
is an excellent, up to date source. Visit: http://www.mainebirdingtrail.com
A Birder's Guide to Maine by Elizabeth Cary Pierson, Peter
D. Vickery, Jan E. Pierson is also recommended. Published in
1996, it is a valuable, detailed reference. At 399 pages, this is
the most complete resource for finding birds in Maine.
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19. What airport do you recommend?
We recommend Portland International Airport.
You would then take the Mid-coast Limousine to Damariscotta. Our
staff will meet you in Damariscotta for the 20 minute drive to meet
the boat to Hog Island. For details or reservations, call
(800) 937-2424 or visit: http://www.midcoastlimo.com
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20. Is there a bus service available?
Concord Bus Lines provides connections
to Damariscotta. An Audubon van will meet an incoming bus and/or deliver
participants to meet a departing bus at the beginning or end of each
session. To schedule and make reservations, call: (800) 639-3317 or
visit: http://www.concordcoachlines.com/maine/damariscotta.html
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21. What time do we arrive?
Between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on arrival day.
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22. Is there parking on the mainland?
Yes, there is secure parking in our mainland parking lot.
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23.
When do we depart?
8:00am (after breakfast), but
earlier departures can be arranged to meet flights and busses.
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24.
Who are the instructors?
Most of the instructors vary between
sessions. Leaders include Stephen Kress, Pete Dunne, Kenn Kaufman,
Sara Morris, Scott Weidensaul, and several others. Together, this
dynamic team brings decades of experience teaching about birds in
Muscongus Bay. The web site provides more details about these
and other leaders.
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25.
Who is the program director?
Stephen Kress is the Director for the 2010 Ornithology Programs.
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26.
Who owns Hog Island?
Hog Island is owned by the National
Audubon Society. The 2010 Ornithology Programs are offered through the Audubon Seabird Restoration Program (Project
Puffin) which is part of the National Audubon Society Science
Division.
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27.
What about bad weather?
Most of the programs go regardless of
weather, but we often shift the program within the week. A detailed
plan for the next day is given the evening before. Last minute changes
due to weather will be announced at breakfast.
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28. Is
there wireless service on Hog Island?
Yes, there is wireless Internet
service available.
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29.
Is there telephone service available?
Hog Island does not have a public telephone,
however there is variable cell phone reception (depending on your
provider) available at certain locations.
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30. Are there opportunities for running?
Running on Hog Island is difficult
because of tree roots and uneven terrain; an afternoon boat trip to
the mainland can be arranged on most days for runners.
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31. Is smoking permitted?
Yes, but only in designated areas which will vary depending on fire risk. Smoking is not permitted in any of the Hog Island buildings.
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32. Is trip insurance available?
Exploritas has trip insurance available for the
two sessions which it is sponsoring. Click HERE for information. Trip
insurance for the other programs can be obtained from AAA or most insurance
companies. These usually have to be purchased within about two weeks
of placing your registration.
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33. Are snacks available for purchase on Hog Island?
A few items will be available in the Puffin’s Nest store on Hog Island to supplement our cuisine, but we recommend bringing your own favorite snack items if you have special cravings.
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34. How far is Hog Island from the mainland?
Just 1/4 mile.
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35. What bird is always out of breath?
Come to Hog Island to find out! Clue: they are now abundant nearby!
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