MAINE The Regions Lorem ipsum dolor of Maine sit amet, cosecte THE MAINE BEACHES taur adipisicing elit, Famous for beaches and amuse- seddor incididunt ments. Notable birds: Piping ut labore et dolore Plover, Least Tern, Harlequin magna ali qua. Duck, Upland Sandpiper. Lorem ipsum dol GREATER PORTLAND AND CASCO BAY sit amet, cosecte Famous for Maine’s largest adipisicing elit, city and Scarborough Marsh. seddor incididm. Notable birds: Roseate Tern and Sharp-tailed Sparrows. MID-COAST REGION Famous for extraordinary state parks, islands, and sailing. Notable birds include: Atlantic Puffin and Roseate Tern. DOWNEAST AND ACADIA Famous for Acadia National Park, national wildlife refuges, and state parks. Notable birds: Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, and Spruce Grouse. MAINELAKES & MOUNTAINS Famous for scenic nature and solitude. Notable birds: Common Loon, Philadelphia Vireo, and Boreal Chickadee. KENNEBEC VALLEY Famous for hiking, skiing, and white-water-rafting. Notable birds: Warblers, w. e. Gray Jay, Crossbills, Bicknell’s Thrush. s. THEMAINEHIGHLANDS Famous for Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park. Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Notable birds: Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker. coastal and transition industrial river valley belt forest AROOSTOOK COUNTY lowlands mixed forest spruce/fir forest Famous for agriculture and Acadian beaches faster rivers undeveloped French tradition. Notable birds: rocky coastlines lakes shorelines American Three-toed Woodpecker, slow streams mountains remote recreation Pine Grosbeak, Crossbills. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cosecte taur hardwood forests adipisicing elit, seddor incididunt ut lab LEGEND Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Bicknell’s Thrush, Laboris nisi liquip Contents and a variety of warblers. Both of the secretive Sharp-tailed Birding Trails Duis irure d lor repre hen Sparrow species are late nesters and are reasonably easy to Cillum dolore IN MAINE see through July. Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and Arctic Terns are also reliable finds on offshore islands through the Except eur sint occa period. When the woods go quiet in August the focus shifts Sunt in culpa qui des to the exceptional shorebirding at select locations all along Laboris nisi liquip commo 4. The Maine Beaches It’s no secret that Maine is one of North America’s top the Maine coast. At times thousands of migrating shore- Duis irure Map and Regional information birding destinations. For breeding warblers, boreal birds of a dozen or more species can be found, providing Cillum dolore fugiat specialties, and birds of coastal and offshore waters, identification challenges for birders of all abilities. 6. Greater Portland and Casco bay Maine offers unmatched opportunities to find some of Laboris nisi liquip Map and Regional information the country’s most sought-after species. Spanning both Forest songbirds begin flocking in August, and their fall Duis irure d lor repre hen the forest transition zone from deciduous to coniferous migration builds and peaks in September. Offshore Cillum dolore 10. Midcoast Region islands and the ends of peninsulas often attract spectacular woodlands, and the coastal transition zone from sandy Except eur sint occa Map and Regional information beaches and saltmarsh estuaries to rocky shore, Maine concentrations of these migrants, with warblers again Sunt in culpa qui des provides a wide range of habitats for birds, many of often stealing the show, and the attendant Sharp-shinned 15. Downeast and Acadia which reach their northern or southern range limit Hawks and Merlins keeping everything moving. Maine’s Laboris nisi liquip commo Map and Regional information here. This diversity is reflected in a state list of regularly protracted fall migration period continues well through Duis irure occurring birds that now numbers over 330 species. October into November as waterfowl, grebes, loons, alcids Cillum dolore fugiat 20. Maine Lakes and Mountains and a variety of gulls take up winter residence along the Cillum dolore Map and Regional information Birding in Maine is a year-round activity. Spring migration coast. Among the 32 waterfowl species that regularly occur is long, with the hardiest species arriving as the snow in Maine annually is the spectacular Harlequin Duck, Except eur sint occa 22. Kennebec Valley begins melting in early March and continuing well into which now can be readily found at an increasing number Sunt in culpa qui des Map and Regional information early June with final northward push of shorebirds. The of sites through the winter. Although land birds can be songs of mixed sparrow flocks and the distinctive display- scarce during the coldest winter months, the possibility 25. The Maine Highlands flight sounds of American Woodcock in early April are of finding a Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy Owl, Northern Map and Regional information welcome notes to this eagerly awaited season. Blue-headed Shrike, Bohemian Waxwing, or a flock of one of the Vireos, Hermit Thrushes, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and “northern finches” that irrupt periodically here always 29. Aroostook County other vocal passerines make their presences known soon makes birding outings well worthwhile. Map and Regional information thereafter, accompanied by hawks that pour into the state through the month. Highlighting the spring migration for Rural, extensively forested, studded with thousands of 31. Travel Tips in the Maine Woods birders are the warblers: beginning with the first Palms water bodies and rivers that drain to a deeply indented coastline, Maine invites exploring for birds. Visiting the 32. Pests and Hazards and Pines in late April, and finishing with the late-arriving Mournings in late May, the warbler migration is center sites listed in this brochure should provide the traveling birder with many opportunities to find most of the species 33. Code of Birding Ethics stage at many of the most popular—and most accessible— birding sites around the state. A good morning at one of that regularly occur in the state over the course of a year. These sites, however, are only among the state’s best 34. Travel Resources these sites can tally 22 or more warbler species. Shorebirds build in number through May, peaking during its last week. known and representative birding locations. There are many others, and a careful look at detailed maps, coupled 35. Hints For Seeing Wildlife June and July are alive with breeding activity. Time spent with an effort to seek out local knowledge of where to find hiking mountain trails and exploring the spruce-fir and birds will also be rewarding. Building public awareness in mixed woods of the Northern Forest provides opportunities the value of birding tourism—and being respectful of both to find such target birds as Spruce Grouse, Black-backed private property and the birds themselves—helps advance Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia the efforts to conserve our birdlife. 2 Map A. THEMAINEBEACHES 3. Marginal Way 5. Kennebunk Plains Wildlife THEMAINEBEACHES Management Area map a 1. Fort Foster Marginal Way in Ogunquit is a narrow, paved, mile-long footpath that hugs the rocky shoreline. It is extraordinary Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area protects a Fort Foster in Kittery sits on Gerrish Island overlooking any time of year. In winter, Harlequin Ducks and Purple sand plain ecotype that is home to unusual grassland a large expanse of ocean and tidal river. This is a good Sandpipers can be plentiful and all of the sea ducks are species seldom encountered elsewhere in the state, migrant trap in spring and fall, and a winter place to possible. The path is lined with low shrubs, making it including Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows, Upland look for alcids, sea ducks, and Purple Sandpipers. This is ideal for sparrows, mockingbirds and cardinals any time Sandpipers, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Towhees and the site of a fort that protected the Portsmouth Naval of year and migrating passerines in spring and fall. May Brown Thrashers. Important: stay on dirt trails. Shipyard through both world wars. The park gate is be icy in winter. directions: closed from late fall to late spring, but birders may park directions: From: Route 1, turn west on Route 9A (High St.), then in 0.3 miles turn right at the gate and walk in during the off-season. May be icy From: Route 1 in Cape Neddick, follow 1A south 0.9 miles, turn left on Shore onto Route 99. Follow for 4.2 miles and look for the parking areas on both in winter. Road in Ogunquit, proceed 4.6 miles to a hard right turn into Perkins Cove Road. sides of the road. directions: From: Route 1 in Ogunquit, follow Shore Road 0.8 miles south to the entrance to JFMAMJJASOND From: Route 1 in Kittery follow 103 east 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Chauncey Perkins Cove Road on the left. Creek Road, follow 0.5 miles, turn right onto Pocohontas Rd, cross the JFMAMJJASOND •••••••••••• Gerrish Island Bridge, turn right and follow Pocahontas Road 1.2 miles. A fee is charged in summer. •••••••••••• 6. Biddeford Pool JFMAMJJASOND •••••••••••• 4. Wells National Estuarine Biddeford Pool is another of Maine’s exceptional year- Research Reserve round hot spots. There are three key areas. The first is the mile-long tidal pool, viewable from a distance for 2. Mt. Agamenticus Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm ducks, waders, and shorebirds. East Point Sanctuary is a Farm can be exceptional year round. A trail system pro- small Maine Audubon property with paths that wander Mt. Agamenticus in York is one of Maine’s best hawk- vides 7 miles of hiking that meander through a diverse set cliff-side over 30 acres. Limited parking is available near watching sites in September. Hawks are best seen on of habitats. Eastern Towhee and Brown Thrasher flourish the entrance gate. Scan the waters for sea ducks - King southerly breezes in the spring and northwest breezes in around the fields. Piping Plovers and Least Terns nest on Eiders occur occasionally - and scan the rocks for shore- autumn.