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 Aroostook
County |
  Birding in Aroostook County is like birding another country. In fact, if not for a favorable resolution of the bloodless Aroostook War of 1839, much of it would be in Canada today. Aroostook is so distinctive that Mainers refer to it as “The County” without fear of confusion with the other 15 counties. Winters are long; breeding seasons are short. Where hardwood once grew on well-drained soils, agricultural fields now prevail. Much of Maine’s agricultural heritage has receded into regenerated forest, but not here. Throughout most of Maine, birders relish the pockets of spruce-fir they can find. In Aroostook County, these are common, and it is the mature hardwood stands that are uncommon. 
 In 2005, nesting Northern Shovelers were joined by Maine’s
first-record breeding Ruddy Ducks at Lake Josephine
in Easton. In 2008, Redheads were also
confirmed as first-in-the-state breeders, demonstrating that
typical Canadian nesters show little regard for the border in
Aroostook. Pine Grosbeaks are possible at anytime. Horned Larks
nest in the agricultural fields of the Saint John Valley,
joined later by post-breeding American Pipits, Snow Buntings,
and Lapland Longspurs. Rough-legged Hawks drift across the
border at will, and both species of crossbills breed here.
Wintering Bohemian Waxwings and Northern Shrikes arrive first in
Aroostook County and are among the last to leave in spring.
 If Aroostook County can claim a special birding niche, it is waterfowl. Lake Josephine and Christina Reservoir are renowned for both abundance and variety. Furthermore, an astonishing number of geese stop over at many of the smaller ponds and marshes for a leisurely stay through late summer and autumn. With such abundance, rarities such as a Barnacle Goose are always possible. The bigger lakes experience the seasonal migrations of arctic breeders like eiders, scoters, grebes, and scaup. Culturally, Aroostook County is a fascinating place. French is the first language for many families through the St. John River Valley. A Swedish population also ended up here, settling in towns such as Stockholm and New Sweden. The county’s isolation has helped preserve many cultural and economic traditions. Residents remain close to the land, sustained by forestry and agriculture. While traveling on Route 1, watch for the Maine Solar System Model: a 40-mile long, scale model of the solar system. Pluto is at the Houlton Information Center. The sun is located at the Northern Maine Museum of Science at the Presque Isle campus of the University of Maine. The remaining planets are strung out along Route 1, in exact proportion to their real sizes and orbits. There are two major access routes into northern Aroostook County, a configuration that has significant historical roots. The road that is now Route 1 was the major thoroughfare, but it ran directly through territory disputed by the British. The Fish River Road, now Route 11, was the key link for supplying American outposts during the Aroostook War, including the blockhouse known as Fort Kent. Unfortunately, the topography of this road was horrific. In summer, U.S. forces preferred supply routes along the St. John River—despite the potential for depredation by the British—to the marshes, swamps, bogs, and thick boreal forest of this road. In other words, what made it bad as a supply route makes it wonderful as bird habitat. |