Birding Guide

Freeport straddles the line be- remnants of old orchards, and the reeport birders have several F tween two birding tourism regions. Mill Stream Trail, which passes resource advantages over the rest Although Freeport is within the through riparian habitat. This is of the state: Portland and Casco Bay tourism not a place to look for uncommon region, it borders the Mid-Coast species, but Black-capped Chicka- • Freeport Wild Bird Supply is right region. As a result, Freeport is less dees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, around the corner. Derek and Jeanette Lovitch offer free local bird walks, than an hour away from dozens of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Downy group tours, and private professional popular birding sites. and Hairy Woodpeckers, and a guiding. Check to learn their current variety of common warblers are offerings at 207-865-6000. 1) Mast Landing is a 140-acre likely. Facilities are primitive and Audubon Sanctuary located seasonal. In summer, Maine Audu- • Maine Audubon is 15 minutes just a three-minute drive from L.L. bon operates a popular day camp down the road in Falmouth and also Bean and downtown Freeport. For for children. In winter snow, hikers offers a schedule of free walks and birders, the sanctuary’s chief asset and cross-country skiers often pack birding events. Call 207-781-2330. is its proximity to town. It provides the trails. pleasant trails for hiking and bird- Directions: From downtown • Two of Maine’s puffin tour boats ing while family members shop. Freeport on Route 1, turn east are about an hour away. Once or twice a week, Cap’n Fish leaves Boothbay There is a variety of trails passing onto Bow Street from the middle of Harbor to circle Eastern Egg Rock. through mixed forest habitat, the town in front of LL Bean. Follow Call 800-633-0860. 1.1 miles and turn left onto Upper Mast Landing Road. The sanctuary The Hardy Boat departs from New is just 0.2 miles ahead on the right. Harbor to visit the island three-to-sev- en days a week, depending on season. 2) The Florida Lake Conserva- Call 800-278-3346. tion and Recreation Area is a bird- er-friendly property preserved by A half hour farther up the coast in the Town of Freeport and its part- Port Clyde, The Monhegan Boat Line ners. Its 167 acres protects a small also offers trips to Eastern Egg Rock. Call 207-372-8848. lake and surrounding uplands. Sev- eral trails wind through differing habitats, including emergent marsh, shrub swamp, forested wetland, and wooded upland. As a result, a large number of species can be found here. The lake is attractive to waterfowl in migration, and some linger through summer. American Bitterns and other wading birds frequently take advantage of the ing the coldest part of winter, shallows. Florida Lake the bay may become has also proven to completely frozen. be productive Otherwise, it in winter, is a great with �� place to note- view � �

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�� �� �� �� �� wor- thy Com- sightings mon �� of Pine Gros- Eiders. Like beaks, Bohemian �� nearby South Waxwings, and North- �� �� Freeport Landing, ern Shrikes. Common and Barrow’s Gold- Directions: From the Inn, head eneyes are often seen, sometimes in west on Mallet Drive and con- find Common and Barrow’s Gold- impressive numbers. Red-breasted tinue past I-295. Florida Lake is eneyes near each other for easy Mergansers, Common Loons, 3.1 miles from the I-295 exit. Turn comparison. Long-tailed Ducks Buffleheads, and Long-tailed right onto Route 136/125, and con- and Red-breasted Mergansers also Ducks are all likely. Greater Scaup tinue to follow Route 125 when it favor these waters. Large concen- are occasional. There is a seasonal diverges from 136 a half-mile later. trations of Common Eiders are usu- campground at Winslow Park and After about a 1.5 miles, look for ally present in the distance. There admission is charged in summer. the Florida Lake sign on the right. are no facilities. Facilities are closed in winter but The access road runs behind some Directions: From downtown the parking area is plowed through- small homes to reach the parking Freeport, turn onto Bow Street and out the off-season. lot 500 feet into the property. then the second right onto South Directions: From downtown Street. Continue onto South Free- Freeport, turn onto Bow Street and 3) South Freeport Landing is port Road and proceed to a 4-way then the second right onto South a working dock on the Harraseeket stop sign.. Turn left at Main Street Street. Continue on South Freeport River. It looks across at Wolf Neck and go to the dock area at the end. Road 2.5 miles to Staples Point and downriver toward Winslow Road. It is exactly 1.0 mile past the Park. In winter, it is one of the 4) Winslow Park is best in Main Street intersection. Turn left, more likely places in Maine to find winter. It sits at the mouth of the and follow to the park. Barrow’s Goldeneyes, often close Harraseeket River and commands to the docks. It is not unusual to a wide view of Casco Bay. Dur- Mallet Drive past I-295. Turn left at Durham Road, then right at Pownal Road and follow the sign toward Bradbury Mountain State Park. Pownal Road becomes Elm- wood Road. After 4.5 miles, turn right onto Route 9. The park is 0.5 miles ahead on the left.

7) Gray Meadow is a wetland bisected by an old trolley line. This creates a walking path directly though a sedge marsh, which is something that would never be permitted today, but does provide a unique opportunity for birders. The first few hundred yards are through forested woodland of tangled growth and hemlocks. Blackburni- an and Black-throated Blue War- blers are found within this stretch As the path enters the meadow, 5) Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Road and proceed 2.25 miles to the secondary growth attracts many Park is another nice place to relax park entrance. warblers. American Redstarts, and enjoy the outdoors. This is not Common Yellowthroats, and a place known for unusual birds, 6) Bradbury Mountain State Chestnut-sided and Yellow War- but the common species, the pleas- Park is open year-round. In winter, blers are abundant throughout the antness of the park, and its near- it is known for its trails for cross- meadow, and Wilson’s Warblers ness to town guarantee plenty of country skiing and snowmobiling. are sometimes among them. In the visitors. There is a trail system that These trails are a natural for hiking middle of the meadow, Sora and provides several miles of varied in summer. Pines dominate the park Virginia Rails call, Marsh Wrens hiking, including nearly one mile and the birding will feature mostly chatter, and Great Blue Herons that is wheelchair accessible. The common species much of the year. hunt silently. When the path reen- Harraseeket Hike is a 1.8 mile loop However, during spring migration ters the woods on the far side of with some steep and uneven terrain in April, this can be one of Maine’s the meadow, Northern Parula and that traverses woods and riverside premier hawk-watching sites on a Black-throated Green Warblers are cliffs. The 1.25-mile Casco Bay southerly or southwesterly breeze. common. The line is also used by Walk wanders past salt marsh, mud There are fees year round. Facili- all-terrain vehicles and snowmo- flats, and an Osprey nesting island. ties are seasonal. biles. There are stands of conifers that Directions: From the Inn, take Directions: From Freeport, go are more typical of habitat further south on I-295, and take Exit 17 north. Admission is charged in toward Yarmouth. Merge onto US- summer. 1 South. Take a slight right onto Directions: From downtown School Street, then turn right onto Freeport on Route 1, take Bow Route 115/Main Street. Follow Street east from the middle of town 5.1 miles and turn left onto Route in front of LL Bean, and follow for 115/Gray Road. Proceed 1.4 miles 2.5 miles. Bow Street becomes Fly- and take a slight left at Haskell ing Point Road after passing Mast Road. Take the 3rd right onto Long Landing. Bear right onto Wolf Neck Hill Road and follow to the end. The trail is only 0.1 from the end phone tower across the street. are two blinds off the trail that al- of the road at its intersection with low good looks at the Presumpscot Route 100/26. It is not well-marked 9) Maine Audubon has its head- River estuary. Watch for waterfowl and there is limited parking by the quarters at Gilsland Farm in Fal- in winter and shorebirds in sum- side of the road. The trail continues mouth, just across the bridge from mer. The Pond Meadow Trail ven- on both sides of the road, but the Portland. The 65-acre sanctuary is tures through mature hardwoods meadow is along the trail to the open and is free for visitors during and hemlocks, continuing to an north. daylight hours and there is a store apple orchard and down to a pond at the visitor center that is well where wading birds keep company 8) The Dragon Fields is the stocked with field guides, optics, with muskrats. The North Meadow popular nickname for an old, accessories - plus advice about the Trail also passes through a grove of capped landfill on the Portland/ most recent sightings and hot spots. mature red oaks and hemlocks be- Falmouth line that has become Feeders around the center attract fore entering the meadow. Canada prominent among local birders. It Purple and House Finches, gold- Geese frequently forage this field earned its nickname because it is finches, sparrows, and a variety in winter. It’s also a good place for behind the Dragon Cement plant of other seedeaters. Tree and Barn migrating hawks and owls. Spruce, and quarry on Route 9 in Portland. Swallows nest on site. Bobolinks red sumac, and speckled alder The capped landfill has created a and Eastern Meadowlarks populate border the fields and are good for weedy knoll that is maintained by the meadows and are seen from the warblers. the city for sparrows and specialty walking paths. Directions: From Freeport, take birds year round, particularly in Three trails provide a total of 2.5 I-295 to exit 10 and then left on autumn. Dickcissels are vagrants miles of easy walking and bird- Bucknam Road. At the light, turn in Maine but they have appeared ing. The West Meadow Trail winds right onto U.S. Route 1 and con- intermittently in past autumns. through a small, forested wetland tinue south for one mile. After the Grasshopper Sparrows have turned before circling the meadow. There blinking light at the intersection of up here, as have Lapland Long- spurs. Because of the height of the mound, it also offers good looks at passing raptors. In spring, the path into the area is lined with shrubs and secondary growth, making it attractive to warblers. In autumn, the hill explodes with the color of blooming asters, making the site alluring. Just in front of this site, Portland has created a canine exercise area called Quarry Park Dog Run. It is served by a small parking lot. Avoid the fenced area and instead follow the path directly uphill to where The Dragon Fields are located. Directions: From I-295 in Fal- mouth, take Exit 10 to Bucknam Street. Turn right off the ramp, then immediately left onto Route 9 (Middle Road). Follow 2.3 miles just past Ledgewood Ave. There are no signs, but the area is clearly fenced and there is a large cell Routes 1 and 88, the entrance to and Great Black-backed Gulls are some years. Scan the building tops Gilsland Farm Road is on the right abundant. and spires for them. The athletic at the light blue sign. Seasonal changes are just as re- fields that stretch between Back markable as tidal changes. Buffle- Cove and I-295 have produced 10) Back Cove is perhaps heads, Common Eiders, Common numerous instances of migrating the most prominent landmark in Goldeneyes, and both Common sparrows and other field-loving Portland since much of the city and Red-breasted Mergansers are birds including American Pipits, and its traffic are built around it. possible throughout the winter Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs In fact, Route 1 (locally named months. Mallards and American and Snow Buntings. Baxter Boulevard) is forced to Black Ducks are inevitable at any Directions: The public parking circle two-thirds of its circumfer- time of year. In April, any migrat- lot lies alongside the cove near a ence. Hiking paths surround this ing duck might turn up here as it large Hannaford supermarket on large inland bay, making it readily waits for fresh water to open fur- the southern edge. From the north on I-295, exit onto Baxter Boule- vard and follow it around the Cove until reaching the light at Preble Street Extension. Turn left and the parking lot will be ahead on the left.

11) Eastern Promenade is at the northeast end of Portland, extending into Casco Bay. There is a wide boulevard that sweeps the length of the bluff overlooking the bay. The panoramic, street-level views from Eastern Promenade are splendid, but the multi-use path that runs along the water is what attracts birders. Find Cutter Street at the eastern end of Eastern Prom- enade where the boulevard rounds to the south. There is a public boat landing and small parking lot at the bottom that provides a much closer look at the bay. A good scan should turn up many of the com- mon sea ducks, a variety of gulls, accessible. Twice a day Back Cove ther north. In shorebird migration, and perhaps a Bald Eagle. Walk fills and empties with the tide, so Maine’s most common shorebirds the path toward the bridges, staying twice a day the birding opportu- – Semipalmated and Least Sand- alert for uncommon waterfowl and nities change. The better birding pipers, Semipalmated and Black- gulls. Song Sparrows overwinter in tends to be at high tide when gulls bellied Plovers, Greater and Lesser the brush along this path and other and waterfowl are present. As Yellowlegs – are probable. Ruddy specialties such as Orange-crowned tide falls, the revealed flats attract Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitch- Warbler sometimes turn up in late shorebirds in season. At low tide, ers, and later-arriving Dunlin are autumn. gulls congregate in large numbers less common. A few White-rumped Directions: From I-295, take on the elevated portions of the and Western Sandpipers make an- Exit 8 for Washington Ave., then flats, often within close view of the nual appearances. Peregrine Fal- take the first left onto Eastern access points. Herring, Ring-billed, cons have wintered in Portland in Promenade. Follow along the high ridge, and look for left turn onto ing sparrows in spring and fall, and Cutter Street. Descend to the park- for fruit-loving birds in winter. It ing and boat launch area. doesn’t take long to bird this park, and it is often done in combination 12) Portland Harbor is home with Evergreen Cemetery, which is to the state’s fish pier. Gulls natu- only five minutes away. There are rally flock to it and all the com- no facilities. mon species are present. Iceland Directions: From I-295 in and Glaucous Gulls are sometimes Portland, exit west onto Congress intermixed in winter. The Fish Pier Street at exit 5 (5a from the south, is private property, but many gulls ule at www.maineaudubon.org and 5b from the north). Follow Con- can be scanned from a distance, follow the menu to Field Trips. gress Street for less than half a especially along the rooftops of the The best area is around the mile, then turn right onto Stevens warehouses. The surrounding area ponds at the back of the cemetery. Avenue, which is Route 9 East. In is a commercial and tourist hub, so Be sure to amble slowly around the 0.2 miles, turn left at the light onto there are many facilities and ame- trail behind the ponds. Be sure also Frost/Capisic Street. In a moment nities. to guard against ticks, which can Frost Street splits left. Follow Directions: Route 1A is called be present in the brush beyond the Capisic straight ahead, looking for Commercial Street through this trail. In May, this is one of the best Macy Street on the right. A small area of the Old Port and congrega- places to explore on a limited time parking lot is available in front of tions of gulls are obvious. Certainly budget. the Capisic Pond Park sign. From the Portland Fish Pier is likely to Directions: From I-295, take Evergreen Cemetery, turn right be busy. This is also a good place Forest Avenue north at Exit 6. Con- onto Stevens Avenue and follow 1.2 from which to scan. Portland visi- tinue north about a mile to a five- miles to the right turn onto Frost/ tors can count on local maps and street intersection. Make a gentle Capisic Street. Follow as above. signs to reach the harbor. It’s where left turn onto Woodford’s Street in many of the city’s tourist attrac- front of the Dunkin Donuts and 15) Scarborough Marsh is one tions and restaurants are located. follow to Stevens Ave. Turn right of the top places to bird in Maine. To reach it from out of town, exit onto Stevens, go past Deering High It encompasses over 3,000 acres from I-295 at Franklin Street and School, and look for the Evergreen of estuarine saltmarsh, 15% of the follow the signs to the waterfront. Cemetery in about half a mile. The state’s total. It produces the most street address is 672 Stevens Ave. abundant and diverse flocks of wa- 13) Evergreen Cemetery and Enter through the cemetery’s sec- terfowl and wading birds. Canada its surrounding 100-acre wood- ond gate (past Walton Street) and Geese arrive in large numbers in land are well known as the final proceed to the ponds at the back of mid-March, signaling the begin- resting place for many of Maine’s the cemetery grounds. ning of northward migration. A famous sons and daughters. It is few Snow Geese follow in much also known statewide as a warbler 14) Capisic Pond is Portland’s smaller numbers. By mid-April, haven in May. Every warbler that largest freshwater pond. The 18- American Black Ducks, Mallards, breeds in Maine - and some that acre park that contains it borders Northern Pintails, Northern Shov- don’t - turn up here. Blue-winged on the Fore River, and it is this elers, Gadwall, Blue-winged and Warblers are seen regularly each combination of river, pond, and Green-winged Teal congregate. spring. Blackpoll, Mourning, and green space that is apparently so Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergan- Cape May Warblers breed further attractive to waterfowl, wading sers nest in boxes along the wood- north but stop here along their birds, warblers, and orioles. Or- ed edges of the marsh. Nelson’s way. Yellow-throated, Kentucky, chard Orioles and Warbling Vireos and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Spar- and Worm-eating Warblers make are uncommon breeders in the rows overlap and interbreed here. rare appearances. Maine Audubon uplands. Wilson’s Snipe, Sora, and Seaside Sparrows are rare in Maine leads frequent bird walks at the Virginia Rails breed in the cattails. but have become almost annual in cemetery in May. Check the sched- It’s a good place to look for migrat- recent years here. Flocks of Glossy Ibis forage throughout the marsh. Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets are common. Little Blue Herons are regular. Great Egrets and Tri-colored Herons are uncom- mon, usually later in the summer. Black-crowned Night-herons nest offshore a couple miles away and sometimes venture into the marsh. In late summer and fall, migrating shorebirds collect in the marsh. In winter, Rough-legged Hawks turn up regularly and Snowy Owls are possible. The marsh is very wide and the Spartina grass is thick, hiding many of the pools. This is a good place for a spotting scope. There is a seasonal Maine Audubon Nature Center midway along Pine Point Road. The center can provide trail maps, birding tips, and a bird-sight- ing register. It also rents canoes for access into the estuary. In season, there are regularly scheduled nature trips available from Maine Audu- bon. raptors, including Rough-legged Center are seasonal. Hawk, Short-eared Owl, and Directions: Route 1 through Snowy Owl. Scarborough passes through the Just a short drive farther south north edge of Scarborough Marsh. along Pine Point Road, Eastern Drive south along Route 1 from Road (now a walk/bike path) Portland, cross the marsh, and turn provides an opportunity to stroll left onto Pine Point Road (Route deeply into the marsh along some 9) at Dunstan Landing. Proceed to of the best salt flats in the refuge. the Maine Audubon Nature Center This is the preferred place to see parking lot to begin the adventure. both Sharp-tailed Sparrows and, From Saco, drive north on Route in some years, a Seaside Sparrow. 1. Pine Point Road will be a right From the Maine Audubon park- High tide has a tendency to push turn at Dunstan Landing. ing lot, scan the marsh slowly, sparrows closer to the path for noting the walking path and bridge easy viewing. Willets breed here. 16) Pine Point is often extraor- to the south. Take the time to Red Knots, Hudsonian Godwits, dinary. It is here that the outflow explore the pools on the opposite and Stilt Sandpipers are regular from several streams mixes with side of the road. This is one of in small numbers in August-Sep- the incoming tide of Scarborough the best places for a close view of tember. Rarities are occur along Marsh, squeezing through a nar- shorebirds, particularly Greater and this path, don’t rush. Be aware that row channel to the Atlantic. This Lesser Yellowlegs, but also Semi- Harbor Seals swim all the way into concentrates a rich food source for palmated Sandpipers, Stilt Sand- the marsh at high tide and may be birds (and Harbor Seals). Gulls pipers, and Short-billed Dowitch- seen when least expected. Facili- and shorebirds are the primary ers. In winter, scan the marsh for ties at the Maine Audubon Nature benefactors. Herring, Ring-billed, eared and Snowy Owls have been Loons, Common Eiders, Horned reported. The Lighthouse Motel at Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, Com- the corner of Pine Point and King mon Goldeneyes, and any of the is closed in winter and is also a scoters. Mallards and American good place from which to scan the Black Ducks probe the shallows. beach. Brant are scarce in Maine but they Directions: From Route 1 in favor this spot, especially in late Scarborough and Scarborough winter. Flocks of gulls usually roost Marsh, continue along Pine Point on the spit. This spit sometimes Road (Route 9) until it bends attracts Horned Larks in winter, and Greater Black-backed Gulls abruptly south right toward Old and any flock should be checked are abundant year-round. From Orchard Beach. Instead, turn left for Lapland Longspurs and Snow August through October there are and follow to the town landing. Buntings. often over a thousand Bonaparte’s There are two lefts - the first is East Directions: Kettle Cove is just Gulls here. Common Black-headed Grand; the second is King Street. 0.2 mile south of the entrance to Gulls and Little Gulls occasionally Both end at the town landing. or 0.8 miles associate with them. Semipalmated north of Crescent Beach State Sandpipers and Plovers are plenti- 17) Kettle Cove is well known Park. Look for an innocuous turn ful in late summer, to be replaced to birders. On the DeLorme Maine onto Ocean House Road and follow by Dunlin later in autumn. In the Atlas, it is part of what is named the sign to “Kettle Cove Area.” height of the season, Hudsonian Seal Cove and lies at the far eastern Godwits sometimes turn up. Stay end of Crescent Beach State Park. 18) Dyer Point is the eastern- alert for White-rumped, Pectoral, Its advantage is that it extends into most point in the Portland area and Stilt, and Baird’s Sandpipers. the cove, offering a northwestern it is a pleasure any time of year. Be sure to check the ocean side view along the beach for shore- The point sits at the end of Two beach at Pine Point. From fall birds and gulls, a western view Lights Road and locals sometimes through spring, the waters usu- into the cove, a southwestern scope refer to the entire area as “Two ally contain scoters, eiders, grebes, of the distant fields on Richmond Lights.” The prime viewing spot is and loons. This beach is good for Island, and a southern observation next to The Lobster Shack at Dyer Sanderlings any time of year. The of open ocean. Look for Common Point. In summer, this is one of jetty on the far north end of the beach is attractive to terns and it is possible to find any combination of species roosting here in August and September. The jetty and channel are top sites to look for Roseate Terns, particularly around break- fast time. Forster’s Tern is rare in the state, but it also shows up here regularly in autumn. At dusk in the off-season, rare sightings of Short- Maine’s best eating experiences. casional in these thickets. The park views. In May, there is often oppor- Lobsters and clams are steamed on gate is closed in winter and there is tunity to enjoy an influx of sum- demand, and there is simply noth- no convenient place to park outside mer warblers before the arctic sea ing that can compare to eating such the gate. Be alert to icy and snowy ducks have departed. June and July a feast on the picnic tables over- conditions that can make this sec- are promising for many of Maine’s looking the ocean. tion of the rocky coast treacherous. breeding songbirds. The rocky promontory pokes Directions: from north or south Directions: From Brunswick, well into the Atlantic and every take Route 77 to Two Lights Road, take Route 123 (Harpswell Road) alcid is possible in fall and winter, and follow to the end. From the south 6.1 miles, turn left onto less frequently in summer. Expect north, Two Lights Road is about Mountain Road, proceed 2.7 miles two and possibly all three spe- 5.4 miles from the bridge in Port- and turn right onto Route 24 cies of scoter. Common Eiders land. From the south, it’s 5.5 miles (Harpswell Island Road), proceed are abundant and King Eiders are from the intersections of Routes another 2.6 miles and turn right on occasional. In winter, Buffleheads, 207 and 77 in Scarborough. Bayview Road. The entrance is 0.8 Long-tailed Ducks, Black Guil- miles from the intersection and the lemots, Horned Grebes and Great parking lot is another 0.2 miles. AST OF REEPORT Cormorants are present in varying E F From Cook’s Corner on Route 1, numbers. Scan the Common Loons take Route 24 11.25 miles to the 19) Brunswick Town Com- for a Red-throated Loon or even right turn on Bayview Road. mons is another pleasant stroll. It is the remainder of a thousand acre 21) Bailey Island is known “commonage” granted by its colo- more for its scenery than birding. nial owners in 1719. A large stand The ocean views are spectacular. of pines shelters the entrance and Common Eiders, Buffleheads, picnic area, and the trails traverse Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted wetlands, a peat heath, remnants of Mergansers and any of the sco- blueberry fields, and an uncommon ters are probable. In winter, look Pitch Pine barren. The understory for Purple Sandpipers along the is sparse and it is unusually easy to mainland shore and on the nearby spy common warblers, vireos, and islands and ledges. flycatchers along these paths. a vagrant Pacific Loon. In August Directions: From the intersec- and September, this is one of the tion of Routes 24 and 123 in down- best places in Maine to look from town Brunswick, take Route 123 land for Greater, Sooty, and Manx south toward Harpswell 1.6 miles. Shearwaters, as well as Parasitic Look for the parking lot on the and Pomarine Jaegers, particularly right. in bad weather. Northern Gan- nets are frequently visible, though 20) The Coastal Studies Cen- usually distant. In winter, Purple ter is run by Bowdoin College. It Sandpipers are possible along the is located on a peninsula of Orr’s waterline. Facilities are seasonal. Island, south of Brunswick. Several On the return to Route 77 along habitats exist on its 116 acres, in- Two Lights Road, some birders cluding a spruce-fir swamp, fields, enjoy exploring Two Lights State secondary growth, an old apple Park, which has a better view to the orchard, and communities of red southeast. The park offers the same pine, cedar, and oak-pine. There oceanic possibilities as Dyer Point, are walking trails throughout the but the brushy foliage and mature forests and fields, including several conifer thickets make for a good trails that offer extensive ocean migrant trap in spring. Owls are oc- Directions: From Cook’s Cor- Route 1, left onto New Meadows State Park across the river is best at ner in Brunswick, follow Route 24 Road, which turns into Foster high tide.) At low tide, it is pos- south to the end. Point Road after the stop sign. The sible to walk across the exposed sanctuary is four miles from Route sand bar to Fox Islands. From this 22) Hamilton Audubon Sanc- 1, three miles from the beginning of vantage point, it is easier to scan tuary has a mile of trails through Foster Point Road. the deep waters for diving ducks. open meadows and mixed wood- This may be the best spot in Maine land along a peninsula in the 23) Thorne Head Preserve is to see Red-throated Loons. Com- New Meadows River. Spurs to a protected by the Kennebec Estuary mon Loons and Eiders, Horned and freshwater marsh overlook vistas Land Trust. Tall pines that grew Red-necked Grebes, at least two of Back Cove. Wood Ducks are here in the colonial era were des- species of scoter, Black Guillemots, sometimes found in the marsh of tined to become masts in the King’s Red-breasted Mergansers, Buffle- this former ice pond. Broad-winged navy. After extensive logging, the heads, and Long-tailed Ducks are Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers area became pasture land. Stone- typical sights in colder months. move in and out of the forested ar- walls still wind through the woods. Be aware that the incoming tide eas. Bobolinks gurgle from the high Today, the regenerated forest con- swallows the sand bar quickly. The grass of the meadows. Common sists of white pine, hemlock, and inattentive risk a cold, wet return. Yellowthroats, American Redstarts, oak, interspersed by vernal pools and Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Black- and freshwater marshes. The pre- burnian, Nashville, Black-throated serve provides a pleasant short hike Green and Wilson’s Warblers have for canopy warblers and vireos, been found here. Great-crested especially Blackburnian Warblers Flycatchers are noisy when present. Directions: From Freeport, con- The cove can be good for Common tinue north on Route 1 to Bath. On Eiders with young in early summer the approach to downtown Bath, and Snowy Egrets in late summer. turn left onto High Street and fol- At low tide, check mud flats for low north 2 miles to the end. shorebirds. Low tide exposes a large amount Directions: From Freeport, 24) State Park of sand where sandpipers and continue north on Route 1 to Bath. is remarkable year round, though plovers stop to feed during migra- Take the New Meadows exit off the park is popular in summer. It tion. Piping Plovers sometimes nest is best birded at low tide. (Reid on the beach, though they usually breed in a conservation area sepa- burg. At 11 miles, turn left and shoreline to escape the punish- rated from the park by the Morse continue following Route 209 to the ing erosion of prevailing winds River inlet. Least Terns nest near park entrance at 15 miles. and major storms, and it creates a Piping Plovers and their smaller warmer microclimate. Sanderlings size helps to distinguish them from 25) , like may be found even in January. the Common, Arctic, and Rose- to the Wintering Purple Sandpipers are ate Terns that fish these waters southwest, is often crowded in common on the rocks at both ends in summer. The most productive summer. It is best birded in the off- of the beach and sometimes forage beach area is at the tidal flats of the season and at high tide. The water on the beach like Sanderlings, an inlet, so if the plo- is deep close to shore, so diving unusual behavior for this species. vers and terns are not on the main ducks approach the beach for easy Surf Scoters are the most com- beach, look for them across the viewing. It’s an ideal spot to watch mon, but Black and White-winged inlet. for grebes in the winter. Large Scoters may also be present. Red- The salt marsh behind the beach rafts of Red-necked Grebes often breasted Mergansers and Black and along Route 209 is habitat for float together, while more soli- Guillemots are usually around. This Great Blue Herons and Snowy tary Horned Grebes are peppered is northernmost large sand beach Egrets. American Bitterns, Green throughout the ocean. Long-tailed along the Atlantic coast until well Herons, Black-crowned Night- Ducks also draw close to shore. into Canada and the last protected Herons, and Great Egrets also Rafts of Common Eiders some- breeding area for endangered Pip- turn up regularly. Pine Warblers times harbor a King Eider. Like ing Plovers and Least Terns. breed among the pitch pines, most of Maine’s sandy beaches, a A typical outing begins with a while Yellow Warblers and Com- southeastern exposure allows the quick peek into the tidal lagoon mon Yellowthroats are often seen in the open shrubbery. Song and Swamp Sparrows are common, and when a Sharp-tailed Sparrow is encountered, take care to separate Sharp-tailed and Nelson’s. Both species are possible. In migration, a variety of hawks pass the beach. In cold months, Horned Larks and Snow Buntings may forage on the beach and among the dunes. North- ern Shrikes occasionally perch on open snags. Red and White-winged Crossbills have turned up in the pitch pines. Before leaving the area, con- tinue on Route 209 to the end. is a well-preserved fortress that has guarded the strategically critical entrance to the since the U.S. Civil War. It provides another sheltered spot to scan for Long-tailed Ducks, Buffle- heads, and Goldeneyes, and it produces closer tern sightings than the beach area does. Directions: From Bath, proceed south on Route 209 toward Phipps- Buntings and the occasional Lap- Excerpted and updated from land Longspur are possible from late September through March The Maine Birding Trail: around the dunes and beach edges. The Official Guide to More Than A few hardy Yellow-rumped 260 Accessible Sites Warblers may linger in milder Bob Duchesne - published by Downeast Books, 2009 winters. When present, Northern Shrikes are easy to spot, perching high on the spindly tops of shrubs and trees. In summer, Nelson’s where the entry bridge crosses into Sharp-tailed Sparrows nest in small the parking lot. Look for dabbling numbers in the salt marsh fed by ducks in migration and American the Little River. Look carefully Black Ducks at any time. Smaller for any dabbling ducks in the river diving ducks, such as Buffleheads on the far side of the service road. and Red-breasted Mergansers, Canada Geese are usually present regularly feed in its shelter. if the water isn’t frozen. Where the Next, ascend Griffith Head. The service road passes through woods, entire expanse of Mile Beach and as it does just after the entrance ocean is visible from here. Stroll gate and before Todd’s Point, the the beach at least as far as Todd’s habitat is significantly conifer- Point on the opposite end. Beyond ous. Golden-crowned Kinglets it lie Half Mile Beach and the are always present. Ruby-crowned mouth of Little River. Kinglets are common in summer. There is a picnic area atop Brown Creepers are likely in any Todd’s Point and the road that season, and crossbills are possible serves it is squeezed between the in heavy cone years. tidal lagoon and wetlands. This Directions: From Woolwich (on access road is frequently used the east side of the Kennebec River to make a loop out of the beach from Bath) take Route 127 south trip, returning to the entrance gate through Arrowsic and Georgetown through an area that is good for 10.7 miles to the right turn toward songbirds. Horned Larks, Snow the park. Follow to the gate.