This is a big geographic area. Hancock County is larger than Rhode Island, and Washington County is larger than Delaware. The character of the coast changes in Ellsworth. To the south, coastal towns foster a thriving tourism industry with many services and amenities. To the north, the coast is less developed, while still offering pockets of cultural attractions and serene villages. The best of both worlds is found around Acadia National Park.

Hancock County contains three major peninsulas, two of which enclose Acadia National Park. There are several preserves that receive light traffic and provide good birding. Deer Isle and Stonington essentially mark the southern limit for Boreal Chickadees and Spruce Grouse.
The middle peninsula extends onto Mount Desert Island, where the bulk of Acadia National Park is located. Access to the area from Route 1 is through Ellsworth along Route 3 to Bar Harbor. The town bustles with shoppers and sightseers from late April through October. When these opportunities are combined with the spectacular beauty of the park, the Acadia area is justly regarded as an ideal place to bird with families. Walking the rugged coast, biking the carriage trails, or venturing offshore for whales allows all family members to experience the beauty and wildlife of Maine in their own ways.

While Bar Harbor is notoriously busy in summer, the other side of the island is locally known as “The Quiet Side.” A gentler pace persists in Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and the nearby villages. Some of the habitat on Mount Desert Island is still influenced by a devastating fire that devoured the island in 1947, and took 10 days to control. Dense stands of tall trees are missing from much of the island, replaced by birches, aspens, and white pines.

The northernmost peninsula, Schoodic,, lies north across Frenchman’s Bay and contains a non-contiguous part of Acadia National Park. The loop road runs closer to the water than the road on Mt. Desert Island, making it easier to view sea ducks from the car. Schoodic Point projects so far into the ocean that it’s a terrific place to scan for ocean birds. The pounding surf must sound inviting to Harlequin Ducks, because a few turn up here every winter. Indeed, storm surges are so powerful that the roiling ocean can throw bowling ball-sized rocks across the road. Viewing such a spectacle can be irresistible, but people have been swept out to sea and drowned here. ALWAYS stay well out of reach of any surf!

Washington County has everything except crowds. It would be one of the most heavily birded areas in America, if America’s birders only knew about it. The region has every northern forest habitat: mature hardwood, mixed growth, and thick stands of boreal softwood. It has fast and slow rivers, marsh and bog wetlands, rocky coasts and mud flats, grasslands and blueberry barrens. It has two national wildlife refuges and one of the best offshore nesting islands on the east coast. All of Maine’s most highly sought-after species are found here, sometimes in abundance.
Winter holds pleasant surprises. The population of sea ducks triples in winter. Bald Eagles are seen everywhere. In some winters, flocks of American Robins gather by the hundreds to eat the berries near Quoddy Head State Park in subzero temperatures. It is the first place to be invaded by redpolls, Northern Shrikes, and crossbills each December.

Few of the recommended trails and sites have facilities, so never waste an opportunity to stop in one of the coastal communities and fishing villages. This is an area of stark beauty and simple living. Lodging and dining opportunities are plentiful but not extravagant. Chain restaurants are few and far between. You won’t miss them.