From civilized Sebago Lake in the south to wild Richardson Lake in the north, the cry of the loon is taken for granted. Between these two lakes lie several mountain ranges, exceptional state parks, and 47,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest. The Androscoggin and Saco Rivers drain the heavy snows of the White Mountains through this region, gathering the flow of their tributaries along the way.

In Androscoggin County, the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn make up Maine’s second largest urban area. Lewiston is home to Thorncrag Nature Preserve, which overlooks the city. Sites along the Androscoggin River, which separates Lewiston and Auburn, attract a fine assortment of birds.

Oxford County is simple and uncrowded. Resorts are small, lakes are peaceful, and hiking on trails is a solitary experience. As with everywhere in Maine, development pressure is growing, but local residents are sensitive to it and supporting of land trusts that uphold the tradition of public access to Maine’s nature and wildlife.

The White Mountain National Forest is not confined wholly to New Hampshire. Maine’s share, including Evans Notch, is harmoniously quiet compared to the rest of the national forest in crowded New Hampshire. The clear mountain waters of Wild River tumble through the region and many of the flat pools are popular for their substantial trout populations. Moose are also common. Farther north, Grafton Notch State Park provides another good escape from crowds and offers some of the best mountain climbing in New England. Within this Maine Lakes and Mountains Region, birds of southern New England may be found on the lower end, while species of the boreal forest are found just 90 minutes away on the upper end.

Norway is a lovely lakeside community near Paris. Fryeburg is a quiet town most of the year, but activity picks up whenever there is good paddling on the Saco River or during the hugely popular Fryeburg Fair in October. Conversely, Bethel is bustling primarily in the winter due to its proximity to Sunday River, a major ski resort. Summers are quieter and the hospitality industry caters to golfers, mountain bikers, hikers, and birders.

The Carrabassett Valley’s biggest claim to fame is Sugarloaf USA, a world-class ski mountain. American Olympians train on its slopes. Though winter is the busy season, mountain hiking and bicycling in the area are first class. The Appalachian Trail winds over the Bigelow Range. The communities of Kingfield, Stratton, and Eustis are geared toward active people. Thus, the area retains an impressive sense of vitality throughout the year, but loses the crowds in spring and summer. For birders, that means’s the best of both worlds.

The Carrabassett Valley winds between Sugarloaf and the Bigelow along Route 27 and the Carrabassett River. (A second valley on the backside of Bigelow is also described in the Kennebec and Moose River Valley section.) This road from Kingfield all the way to the Canadian border is one of the most scenic routes in the state. It gets pretty wild and remote from Eustis through Chain of Ponds to Coburn Gore and there are few opportunities to get off the highway and bird, but a drive to the border can be a pleasant way to spend that part of the day when the songbirds are at their quietest.