Birdwatching remains a popular summer activity in Lakes Region

By Briana Bizier

If you are into birdwatching, you are in the right place for it this summer. Because of its wide variety of ecosystems, the Lakes Region is a wonderful place to birdwatch in Maine. From aquatic species to impressive raptors, you should be able to view a lot of new birds during a visit to the Lakes region this summer.

The pileated woodpecker is just one of the many birds
of beauty spotted throughout Maine in summer. 
COURTESY PHOTO

The many bodies of water in this region offer enormous opportunities for birdwatching. Several of the rivers and small ponds in this area, such as the Tenny River which connects Crescent Lake and Panther Pond, are easily accessible by even a novice kayaker or canoeist. These small waterways are home to many species of waterfowl and marsh birds, such as yellow warblers, northern water thrushes, and flashy red-winged blackbirds.

If you set out in the morning or evening, you may even spot one of Maine’s largest birds, the great blue heron, patiently stalking fish in the tall reeds along the shore. These stately and impressive birds tend to be tolerant of canoes and kayaks, so you may be able to linger if the heron chooses to pose for photos.

Of course, all the lakes and ponds in this area are home to one of Maine’s most famous birds, the iconic common loon. If you haven’t spotted a loon yet, try exploring the marshy edges of a large body of water, like the northern section of Crescent Lake and almost any other body of water in the Lakes Region.

Loons are also frequently found near several swimming areas, such as the beaches at Sebago Lake State Park. Loons tend to make their haunting, prehistoric calls during the morning and evening hours. If you haven’t yet heard a loon, consider booking a campsite at Sebago Lake State Park. Research has shown that the call of a loon is much more impressive if it is heard while sitting around a glowing campfire.

The Lake Region’s northern deciduous forests, composed mostly of red oak, white pine, sugar maple, red maple, and eastern hemlock, are also home to a wide variety of bird species.

In addition to spotting Maine’s state bird, the black-capped chickadee, birders may see the brilliant flash of a goldfinch or scarlet tanager swooping between the trees on any of our local hiking trails.

Southern Maine’s woods are also home to a wide variety of species of woodpecker, including the impressive pileated woodpecker, which can be very large, with a wingspan of nearly 30 inches, and very loud. If you hear what sounds like an axe hitting a tree somewhere deep in the forest, chances are good there’s a pileated woodpecker at work! Another way to identify the presence of a pileated woodpecker is to watch for holes in the trees. Pileated woodpeckers carve large and distinctive rectangular shaped holes in wood to get at carpenter ants and other insects.

Speaking of impressive birds, the Lakes Region is home to many birds of prey, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and merlins. Bald eagles are usually spotted swooping over a stretch of open water or lingering majestically in the top of tall pines along the water’s edge.

To experience views of other birds of prey, try a short hiking activity. Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco offers beautiful views and hosts an annual Hawk-Watch. Even before the fall’s hawk migration, a trip to Hacker’s Hill with a pair of binoculars will usually result in spotting at least one species of raptor gliding on the air currents.

While you’re searching for birds in southern Maine, a little technology can go a long way. The Merlin Bird ID app, produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, helps you identify birds by asking a few simple questions about the bird’s size, location, and activities - and then produces a list of likely species. The Merlin app is free, and well worth a download.

Birdwatchers in the Lakes Region are in very good company as the Loon Echo Land Trust, which manages Hacker’s Hill as well as many other hiking trails in the area, hosts frequent birdwatching events throughout the remainder of the summer and into the fall months. <