Bird and Wildlife Watching

The Moosehead Region hosts a great variety of wildlife habitats over a relatively small area. The region is ideal for birding and viewing other wildlife including black bears, coyotes, deer, foxes, beavers, otters and moose. At least twenty species of warbler breed here. Bicknell's Thrush occurs on area peaks above 3,000 feet.

Other hard-to-find bird species thrive in the area, including the spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, gray jay, black-backed woodpecker, and white-winged crossbill. Enjoy watching the birds and the abundant wildlife as a wilderness experience in our lakes, streams, bogs, and forests.

Some of the birds that may be seen at area feeders and in yards are: chickadees, sparrows, finches, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, nuthatches, mourning doves, juncos, cardinals, hummingbirds, phoebes, jays, and robins.

If you take a walk on one of our hiking or nature trails (click on Hiking), you are likely to see grouse and pileated woodpeckers in the woods, plus bobolinks, thrushes, and woodcocks in fields. You will also hear owls at night.

A kayak or canoe trip down one of our rivers--such as the West Outlet to the Kennebec River--will treat you to a host of waterfowl, including herons, osprey, cranes, kingfishers, and ducks. You may also see a hawk or a bald eagle soaring overhead. Playful otters can be seen sliding down the river banks or popping their heads up out of the water to watch you. The handiwork of beavers is evident, as you pass their stick lodges and see the gnawed stumps of the branches they use as building materials.

On our many lakes and ponds you will find a variety of ducks, Canada geese, and the famous loon with its haunting cry.

The Moosehead Lake Region was the first area in the state to be researched and mapped for the Maine Birding Trail. Visit their website's Moosehead Birding page.