An invaluable site guide for New England birders, now available in a new updated edition.
With over 470 species of birds recorded, Maine offers an abundance of birding opportunities for people of all levels of interest and experience, from those looking beyond their backyards for the first time to knowledgeable visitors looking to plug a hole in their list of sightings. The state's wealth of undeveloped land and its extensive coastline, countless islands, and varied habitat combine to host an impressive diversity of birds at all times of the year. Birders travel to Maine from near and far to seek hard-to-find species, from the only Atlantic puffins breeding in the United States on offshore islands to Bicknell's thrushes high in the mountains.
This book fills an important niche for the birdwatching community by offering comprehensive entries detailing the best locations for finding birds throughout the state for enthusiasts of all levels of skill and interest. It contains descriptions of 202 birding sites in Maine, with explicit directions on how to get there, for all sixteen of the state's counties, several as large as other New England states! Each chapter features a county map, a brief overview by Derek J. Lovitch, numerous specific site guides, and a list of rarities. The book also contains a detailed and useful species accounts guide for finding the most sought-after birds.
Lavishly illustrated in colour throughout, Birdwatching in Maine is the best available resource for finding birds in the largest of the New England states. This updated edition features a new introduction, as well as new birding sites and maps.
Preface xv
Introduction: Why Go Birding in Maine? 1
Basics of Birding in Maine 3
How to Use This Book 5
American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics 9
1 York County 13
2 Cumberland County 51
3 Oxford County 107
4 Androscoggin County 125
5 Sagadahoc County 149
6 Lincoln County 171
7 Kennebec County 199
8 Knox County 221
9 Waldo County 253
10 Hancock County 285
11 Franklin County 317
12 Somerset County 339
13 Penobscot County 353
14 Washington County 369
15 Piscataquis County 393
16 Aroostook County 411
17 Species Accounts 432
References 465
About the Editor and Contributors 467
Index of Bird Species 473
Derek J. Lovitch is the author of How to Be a Better Birder and a former department editor of Birding, the American Birding Association's flagship magazine. He and his wife, Jeannette, own and operate Freeport Wild Bird Supply, an independent bird-feeding and birding specialty shop that serves as a vehicle for promoting birding and bird conservation. Lovitch acts as a guide for clients throughout the state and leads trips for WINGS, which offers birding tours.
"Whether an experienced Maine birder or visitor, or even just a mildly interested bird enthusiast who likes to explore, this book [...] is a must-have for your personal library, although it may spend more time in the car and in your hands than on the shelf!"
– Boothbay Register
"Lovitch's new birding guide, Birdwatching in Maine, is a must-have for all who love Maine's birds. The book is comprehensive, covering all the state's best bird watching places."
– Bangor Daily News