Seeking advice on Atlantic puffin viewing and zoos in the vicinity

[DavidBrown]

Howdy.

I know that several of us zoo geeks are also birders. My wife and I have been on what we call "puffin quest" for the last few years, the goal of which is to see every puffin species in the wild. We have the tufted and horned puffins "bagged" and my wife wants to see Atlantic puffins next summer (2012).

Does anybody here have a favorite birding spot with great Atlantic puffin viewing in the summer that you could recommend? I know that there is a restored colony in Maine, but the major North American population seems to be in Canada.

While we're up there in Maine-vicinity I'd like to check out some good zoos. Does anybody have any recommendations for "must see" zoos in the region? I know of Franklin Park Zoo in Boston (mixed reviews here) and the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island (pretty good reviews here).

Thanks in advance for any advice. Please feel free to contact me by private message, posting here, or e-mail.

 

[KCZooFan]

The New England Aquarium (Boston) is a nice little aquarium. They have nothing special, but have a pretty cool indoor penguin exhibit. They also have a tiny seal exhibit out front (If I remember correctly). Of course, the whale watching tours out of Boston are also fantastic.

Good luck to you on your "Puffin Quest." Ever seen any other wild auks?

 

[DavidBrown]

The New England Aquarium (Boston) is a nice little aquarium. They have nothing special, but have a pretty cool indoor penguin exhibit. They also have a tiny seal exhibit out front (If I remember correctly). Of course, the whale watching tours out of Boston are also fantastic.

Good luck to you on your "Puffin Quest." Ever seen any other wild auks?

Thanks for the advice on the aquarium KC. We have encountered common murres, pigeon guillemots, marbled murrelets, and rhinoceros auklets on our journeys.