Owls Head

Owls Head State Park is home to a lighthouse that overlooks the southwestern entrance to Penobscot Bay. The park is small and it can be birded easily in a short time. Scan from the lighthouse and from the picnic area reached by trail from the parking lot. Because the site is a prominent extension into the bay, it gets more than its share of warblers in migration. The forest is mixed hardwood and spruce, attractive to an assortment of migrants, including spruce-loving Blackpolls and Bay-breasted Warblers. Thrushes include Veery, Hermit, and Swainson’s. In summer, the birding is pleasant but average. In winter, bring a spotting scope up to the lighthouse boardwalk and scan for seaducks, particularly grebes.

Directions: From Route 1 in downtown Rockland, take Route 73 south toward Owls Head, following the signs to the park. Follow 1.9 miles to a left turn onto Shore Road, follow 2.6 miles to the small town center, and turn left onto Main Street. Proceed to Lighthouse Road and follow the signs to the park.