Location: Columbia Falls: meet at Elmer’s Country Store, 1039 US 1, Columbia Falls
Guides: Woody Gillies & Maurry Mills
Fee: No fee
Description: This is a driving trip (in your own car) on paved and gravel roads in the blueberry barrens of Washington County. Retreating glaciers formed large sandy plains that are now used to cultivate native low-bush blueberries which are a major agricultural crop in the area. We will drive through roads that cut through large blueberry fields in search of nesting Upland Sandpipers and Vesper and Savannah Sparrows. The barrens are one of just a few areas in Maine to find breeding Upland Sandpipers. American Kestrels are often seen perched on the power lines and sometimes Northern Harriers hunt low over the blueberry fields. Woods, ponds, marshes, and creeks provide habitats for a variety of birds that can be found as we travel through the barrens. We often see Palm Warblers, Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhees, Brown Thrashers, and Eastern Bluebirds along the roads. Prairie Warblers are rare on the barrens and there are a few reports of Eastern Meadowlarks. No strenuous hiking is involved. Bring snacks and something to drink.
GPS Coordinates: 44.64965, -67.70991
Directions: Meet at Elmer’s Country Store on US Rte 1 in Columbia Falls. It is about 33 miles (40 minutes) from Whiting via US 1 South, or 16 miles (23 minutes) from Machias via US 1 South. It is on the left if you are heading south, just past Wild Blueberry Land (large painted blueberries). Elmer’s has gasoline, a restaurant, a convenience store, and rest rooms.