BELFAST BIRDING OASTAL ORRIDOR Don Reimer C C

Cloe Chunn

• This section of 's coast is located within the (West) Coastal Subregion (Bennett, 1988), a section of the state's largest watershed. • It is characterized by rocky coastline, forests of transition hardwoods interspersed with white pine and hemlock, island forests of Paul Karner spruce-fir, and cool marine waters. • A difference of 10 feet between high and low tide increases the exposed intertidal zone, adding to the potential diversity of available habitats and birds found here. † LET'S GO BIRDING ¢ • The birds you see will depend greatly on the time of year. Some birds can be seen Maps by Margo Carpenter Birdwatching is a great way to stay in touch throughout the year. Others are migratory, Brochure by Seth Benz found here when traveling long distances from with the wonder and awe of the natural world their breeding grounds to wintering areas. at home or wherever you travel. It offers • Binoculars are a must and a spotting scope can wonderful opportunities be helpful. to explore and deepen your learning about the • More than 250 species of birds have been natural history of any spotted at the 6 highlighted sites. area. Belfast Birding Coastal Corridor from SandyTyp Point Beach State Park to Ducktrap Harbor.

1. Sandy Point Beach State Park - DeLorme 3. Sears Island - DeLorme Maine Atlas and 5. Bayside Town Landing - DeLorme Maine Maine Atlas and Gazetteer Map 23, E-2. Take Gazetteer Map 15, A-1. From Route 1/3 two Atlas and Gazetteer Map 14, B-5. From Route Routes 1/3 east from Stockton Springs miles north of Searsport, turn right onto Sears 1 south between Belfast and Northport, take approximately 2 miles, turning right onto Island Road. Follow to end of causeway to Shore Road to the Bayside Town Landing. Steamboat Wharf Road and proceeding to the gate. 940 acre island under conservation Park and scan north into greater Belfast Bay end where there is parking by the beach. easement. No current development. Beyond and south along channel of . Walking trails, wheelchair accessible trail. gate a paved road allows easy walking access Habitats: Bay/River. Birds of note: Red- Habitats: River/Bay, sand and fine birding of surrounding mixed woods. throated loons (Fall), sea ducks. beach, bluffs, mixed Several other trails, including beach walking. species-mixed age Habitats: Extensive Bay areas/River, mixed woodlands. Birds of note: woodlands, roadside vegetation. Birds of note: Osprey nests, woodland Sea ducks, warblers, sparrows. A single visit songbirds, waterfowl. usually produces a good variety of birds at any time of year.

2. Loop - DeLorme Maine 4. Belfast Harbor - DeLorme Maine Atlas and Atlas and Gazetteer Map 15, A-1. From Route Gazetteer Map 14, A-4. Routes 1 and 3 1/3 in Stockton Springs, turn and follow Cape convergeType to enter on Belfast. text Follow downtown to Jellison Road: bear left at the split to reach the Maine Street and City Pier parking area. Scan Cloe Chunn following locations: harbor and/or walk approximately .25 mi. N Fort Point Cove (Pull-off area .5 mi. to Pedestrian Bridge or .25 mi. S to on left from split) Boathouse. (1 mi. beyond FP Pedestrian Bridge (exceptional location for Cove Pull-off on left) scanning up and down river) 6. Ducktrap Harbor - DeLorme Maine Atlas Stockton Harbor (3-4 mi. beyond Boathouse ( good location to scan mouth of and Gazetteer Map 14, C-4. From Route 1 FPSP if circling the loop) river and entry to Belfast Bay) approximately 1.5 mi. N of Lincolnville or 5 Car Pull-off (FPC); Walking Upper Passagassawaukeag River (From City mi. S of Northport, turn onto Harbor Road, Trails (FPSP); Parking area Pier return to intersection with High Street, follow to gravel bar parking area at road's end. (SH). Habitats: River/Bay/ follow north out of the downtown and Habitat: Tidal river mouth/Bay. The Ducktrap Cove, spruce-fir forest continue along river. Best pull-off is at Old River is of special conservation status due to (FPSP). Birds of note: Upper Bridge about 2 mi. from City Pier annual run of Atlantic Salmon, one of just 8 Ruddy ducks, scoters, parking area. such rivers along Maine's entire coast. Birds other waterfowl; songbirds. Habitats: Tidal River/Bay. Birds of note: of note: Bald eagles, osprey, red-necked Barrow's Goldeneye (winter); gulls, sea ducks. grebes, sea ducks.