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Seawatch - Maine
York to Ogunquit

 Harlequin Duck
Harlequin Duck
A car loop in southern Maine which views of the ocean from several lookout points. In winter it provides close views of seaducks, loons, grebes, and Alcids. In summer this area is very crowded with tourists and not recommended for birding. Allow 3-4 hours for this trip. Printer Friendly Directions Only

Suitable for those who want to bird from the car or for wheelchair birders. Only Marginal Way requires walking and when snow free it is possible for hardy wheelchair birders.
Birds Expected
Common and Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Eider, and if you are lucky King Eider, Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Great Cormorants, Red-breasted Mergansers, Guillemots, and other Alcids.


Long-tailed Duck
Black Scoters
Start
Take I 95 North from New Hampshire into Maine. Just after the rest center leave the interstate highway at Exit 4 ( The Yorks, Ogunquit). Proceed to the stoplight and turn right onto Highway 1 south. At the next light turn left onto 1A North. You will go through York Village. Stay right at the fork on 1A South.



York Harbor Beach
The first open area you come to is York Harbor Beach. Check the exposed rocks for unusual gulls and scan the harbor for loons and ducks. At the end of the peninsula to the north is Nubble Light.
Nubble Light
Proceed on past the end of the beach and make a right turn. Continue on this road until you see the sign for Nubble Light. Turn right and follow the double yellow lines through a residential area to Sohier Park and Nubble Light. Park on either side and view the ocean with your scope. This is the parking lot where the Sage Thrasher was seen in November and December of 2001.

From the south side of the parking lot you can see Boon Island Lighthouse. Looking north you see our next stop at the Cliff House.
On an island separated from Sohiel Park by a few yards is the picturesque lighthouse known as Nubble Light.


Cliff House
On leaving Sohier Park turn right and follow the yellow lines back to 1A north. Turn right and proceed north for some distance. There is one view at a beach, but there is really no good place to park the car so be careful of stopping here.Watch for a fork in the road at the Shore Road Market. Take the right fork onto Shore Road.

Continue on Shore Road for some distance. Just past the St. Peters by the Sea Episcopal Church you will see two white pillars marking the entrance to Bald Head Cliff Road and the Cliff House. Turn right onto Bald Head Road.

The Cliff House is resort which usually closes after Thanksgiving. You are on private property so be very considerate. From the parking lot, you will see a road on the left that goes downhill around the newest building to a parking lot in front of a motel like building. Park here. Walk around the motel and scope the ocean from the cliff. To the left of the motel building is the seewage outflow pipe and this attracks ducks in close to shore. Common Eiders, Harlequins, and Scoter are often here is good numbers. Look hard for the King Eider which is usually here. Also keep an eye out for Guillemots.
The author's car is parked in front of the motel with the view north. Save this parking spot for handicapped birders please.

Scope from just beyond the car or walk down and around the side of the building.
Marginal Way
After leaving Cliff House take a right turn on Shore Drive and proceed for some distance to Perkins Cove Road in the town of Ogunquit. Make a right turn and proceed to the parking lot on the left. Marginal Way is a well maintained ocean path that begins on the ocean side of the Oarweed Restaurant.

You can bird from the car in the parking lot or walk along the path. The best view is obtained from the first point where there are several benches. Sit here and scan the ocean. Usually in winter there are flocks of Common Eider, Harlequin Ducks,
The first 50 yards of the path is level, gravel and passes in front of the Oarweed Restaurant.
The paved path slopes gently uphill for 50 yards and then follows the shore line beyond the point. The path is wide enough for two adults to walk abreast. Not cleared in winter.
View from the bench at the point on Marginal Way. Rocks should be good for Purple Sandpipers at low tide.


Return To I 95
The loop ends at Marginal Way. Return to Perkins Cove Road and at the junction with Shore Road turn right. In 200 yards you will see a left turn to Route 1. Go south on Route 1 until you see a sign for I 95.

Reference: A Birders Guide to Maine Elizabeth C. PIerson, Jan Erik Pierson, and Peter Vickery 1996 Down East Books, Camden MEPage author: Emmalee Tarry