[va-bird] Re: Info on Maine

I was in Wells last week and had some free time to briefly bird this
refuge. Was more impressed by the diversity of woodland plants--
bunchberry and many pink lady slippers in bloom-- but the main
unit(there are about 10 areas included in the refuge, I think) between
Rt 1 and the Mousam River bridge offers a half mile trail through
woodlands with some great views out on the marsh. There were a good
number of songbirds in the woods-- redstarts, bt blue and bt green
warblers, re vireos, and more etc in the woodlands. Over the marshes,
terns, common gulls, gb herons, a very noisy willet near its nest
perhaps. I had only about a 45 minute visit there but its a great place
to walk off a big meal from the Maine Diner which is on Rt 1 about 1/4
mile south on Rt 1 from the road the refuge is on.

If you have time and aren't scheduled, head way up to Lubec and
Eastport. Between blueberry barrens inland and the tidal flats, rocky
off shore islands and coniferous woodlands, the number of bird species
and birding opportunities in this easternmost corner of Washington
County is superb. There are boreal chickadees, upland sandpipers,
bobolinks, gray jays, nesting loons and lots of nesting warblers in the
general area.

They offer a Down East birding festival-- just had their second one
over Memorial Day. Boat trips out to the islands for kittiwakes,
guillemots, puffins are available. At shorebird migration peak, the
incredible tides expose huge flats at low tide. You can also ferry over
towards Campabello. In mid-August, I've been amid thousands of
phalaropes while ferrying across.  

Craig Tufts

>>> <SteveYoung@xxxxxxx> 06/20/05 6:52 PM >>>
 
I can't vouch for how the birding is there now, but you might wish to
look  
into Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge near Wells in southern
Maine, right 
 off I-95. This is where she had a summer place, and had it not been
for 
Rachel  many of our beloved birds wouldn't still be with us. Silent
Spring was 
published  in 1962 when she was dying of breast cancer, and she had to
put up 
with vicious  attacks and the first allegations of what later became
dubbed "junk 
science."  But subsequent events proved she had it right on the money,
and 
DDT was banned  in the US probably just in the nick of time. We are all
in her 
debt.  Cheers,
 
    Steve
    Arlington VA
 
In a message dated 6/20/2005 1:07:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
loomisb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

My husband and i are leaving shortly for Maine.  Do any of  you 
birders have a good or special place to bird up there or along the 
way?  If 
so, i would appreciate your sharing it with us at the above  email 
address.  Good birding to all, Kathy

Bob  Loomis
Virginia Beach, VA
loomisb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

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