A bird perched on a tree branch.
Hog Island Explore Camps

Fall Migration & Monhegan Island

September 13-18, 2026

This special, small-group session is devoted to the wonders of fall migration and will include an overnight stay on the iconic and beautiful Monhegan Island. The rest of the week will be spent traveling to the best migrant hotspots around Hog Island based on the weather, tides, and bird migration patterns. 

This intensive week of birding will take participants from tidal marshes and beaches to hawk watches, spruce forests, and the outer islands and waters of Muscongus Bay. The highlight will be an overnight trip to Monhegan Island, one of the best "migrant traps" in the Northeast -- a place justly famous for its birding and dramatic rocky coastline, which has inspired artists for more than a century. Learn about how and why birds migrate and the conservation challenges facing them from experts in the field of ornithology.

Registration is Open!
Act now to ensure you can join Fall Migration & Monhegan Island.

Pricing: $2,010

Maine residents are eligible for a $150 in-state discount for this session! After you register, contact hogisland@audubon.org to confirm your residency and the discount will be applied to your account.  

The base registration fee includes meals, housing, instruction, and all field trips. This also includes your hotel room, ferry transportation, and most meals on Monhegan (participants will be responsible for purchasing one lunch on the second day of the Monhegan Island trip). Participants will also be responsible for gratuity for cleaning and breakfast at their Monhegan hotels. This price is based on a standard shared room (with 2 twin beds) and a shared bathroom. A limited number of upgraded accommodations are available for an additional cost. Two upgrade options are a single room for solo travelers or a room with a private bath for two people traveling together.鈥疶here are no single rooms with private bathrooms available. Please see the鈥lodging page鈥痜or more information.鈥 

Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the 糖心传媒 dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session. Please see the transportation page鈥痜or more information. 

There are several scholarship opportunities available to help participants attend Hog Island sessions! Please see the鈥scholarships page鈥痜or more information about Hog Island Scholarships. You should also check with your local 糖心传媒 chapter or bird club for additional opportunities.

All participants must be able to walk over uneven terrain for 2 miles. Monhegan Island has unimproved trails with hills and rocky outcroppings that require the ability to walk uphill and on a single-track trail. No prior birding experience necessary! Birders of all levels are welcome. 

Director: Scott Weidensaul

Instructors: Seth Benz, Holly Merker, Sara Morris

Assistant Instructor: TBA

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

Testimonials for Fall Migration and Monhegan

鈥淓veryone is so professional and friendly. The instructors are the best in their field and we feel so furtunate to learn from them鈥 - 2025 Camper

鈥淎ppreciated all he effort by EVERYONE to be sure we had the best experience possible.鈥 - 2025 Camper

鈥淚 loved that [they] really emphasized inclusiveness! I loved that they made beginner birders feel welcome鈥 - Denise, 2025 Camper