Barred Island, Deer Isle. 2 acre island with spruce-fir and shrub-cover and extensive granite shore ledges. Accessible by landing on inter-tidal sandbar or across private property with permission of Goose Cove Lodge owners. There are no trails; walk along the shore. Managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Birdsacre Sanctuary, Ellsworth. Lovely 40-acre woodland sanctuary with trails and ponds adjacent to pioneer ornithologist Cordelia J. Stanwood’s family home, with furnishings and her collection of mounted birds.

Crockett Cove Woods, Stonington. Coastal “fog” forest blankets 100 acres bordering Crockett Cove where thick mosses shroud the granite boulders and old man’s beard lichen veils the trees. Best saved for a rainy day, when the colors are most vibrant. Self-guiding nature trail and good birding. Managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Dram Island, Sorrento. Small, spruce-fir, island in Sorrento harbor, home to nesting osprey. Steep cliffs on northern shore. There is a small landing area. Maintained by the Nature Conservancy.

Donnell Pond, T9 SD; Black Mountain  T10 SD; Tunk Lake T10 SD; near Sullivan. Mountain scenery and unspoiled ponds (Rainbow, Wizard), accessible by canoe and foot. Owned and managed by the Maine Bureau of Public Lands, the Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land includes more than 14,000 acres of remote forested land with crystal clear lakes, secluded ponds, and mountains with panoramic views. Located in Hancock County between Franklin and Cherryfield, this is where visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation in a scenic, remote setting.

Duck Lake Public Reserved Land, located in northern Hancock County about 70 miles northeast of Bangor, comprises more than 27,000 acres of forested land. Its gently rolling terrain and many lakes, streams, and wetlands are typical of Eastern Maine. Duck Lake, the Unknown Lakes, and Gassabias Lake offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and snowmobiling opportunities. Access is over rough private roads: from the west, off an extension of Route 188 out of Burlington; from the south, off the Stud Mill Road in T34 or T35 MD.

Forest Pond Marsh, Gouldsboro. Resting and feeding area for migrating waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and loons. Managed by the town of Gouldsboro.

Indian Point — Blagden Preserve, Bar Harbor. 110 acres of mature red spruce, northern white cedar, and balsam fir forest that survived the 1947 Mount Desert Island fire, with long frontage on Western Bay that includes a gravel beach. Harbor seals sun on small islands just offshore. Many hours of walking on extensive trail network (map and guide available from caretaker). Managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Ketterlinus Preserve, Tremont. Steep-walled tidal gorge, the only one of its kind on Mount Desert Island, through which eels and alewives pass on their way to Seal Cove Pond. Historic area borders the gorge, although the former grist mill, lumber mill store, schoolhouse and shipyard are now grown over by woods. Managed by The Nature Conservancy. On Rt. 102.

Little Eaton Island, Deer Isle. The Nature Conservancy.

Long Porcupine Island, Gouldsboro. A forest of mature spruce-fir and deciduous trees blanket this 125 acre island. Features sheer 100′ cliffs, Bald eagles, and other nesting birds. Always difficult to traverse due to the density of the forest and lack of trails, the island is closed during nesting season. Managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Newbold Preserve, Squid Island, Mount Desert. Small forested island off the western shore of Mt. Desert, important to a variety of bird species. Managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Preble Island, Sorrento. Densely forested island in Sorrento Harbor. Eagles roost here, overlooking cobble beaches. Managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Round Island, Stonington. 46 acre domed island which rises to nearly 100′. The steep cliffs and dense forest are imposing and there are no trails but it is possible to land and walk along the shore.

Schoodic Island, Winter Harbor. Sixty-one-acre nesting site for bald eagles and sea birds. Acadia National Park/The Nature Conservancy.

Ship Island Group, Tremont. Four small shrub-covered islands (Ship, Trupet, Barge, half of Bar) housing a significant colony of nesting seabirds, and seal haul-outs. As such, they are closed during nesting season. Managed by the Nature Conservancy. Accessible by small boat, approximately five miles from Bass Harbor.

Taunton Bay Islands, Franklin. The acquisition of two small islands offshore of a large mainland bald eagle site purchased by the Conservancy in 1989 enhances the protection of the eagle territory as well as the habitat used by thousands of migratory shorebirds. The Nature Conservancy.

Turtle Island Preserve, Winter Harbor. Almost entirely covered by a 150 year old spruce-fir forest. A colony of great blue herons nest here, and thickets of raspberries and blackberries compete in open areas with cherries and gray birches. There is a seal haul-out on the southern tip, and extensive tide pools. Interior closed during nesting season. Managed by the nature Conservancy. Landing best at the northern end of the island.

Wreck Island Preserve, Stonington. Open fields and some spruce, used to graze sheep. Ground covered with woodland flowers. Grassy fields make up most of the interior. The height of land offers views of Stonington and Isle au Haut. Managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post comment