At over 3,000 acres, Scarborough Marsh is the largest salt marsh in Maine and one of the state’s most famous birding destinations. Thousands of birders visit each year and find incredible birds, including some that aren’t usually found in Maine. In May, we saw a White-faced Ibis, a Wilson’s Phalarope, and a Ruff, to name a few rarities. Just for fun, here is an unofficial list of the top five rare birds spotted in Scarborough Marsh, some long ago. Will you spot one this year?
5. Little Egret
Of all the rare waders to show up at the marsh, the most unusual might be the Little Egret. Native to Europe and Africa, Little Egrets occasionally and accidentally show up across the Atlantic, where they typically adapt by living with closely-related Snowy Egrets. One or more Little Egrets have appeared at the marsh each year since 2011, and are likely breeding with Snowy Egrets. In summer, look for the Little Egret’s very long head plumes, but be careful to distinguish from the lookalike Snowy.
4. Ruff
Perhaps the most interesting rare-but-regular wandering shorebird is the Ruff. It was seen in May at Pelreco. A long-distance migrant between Africa and the tundra of Europe and Asia, vagrant Ruffs occasionally show up all over North America, typically at marshes and other shorebird hotspots. They’ve been spotted in Scarborough more than a dozen times. Males have dazzling breeding plumage, which varies from deep red and black to a large scarf of fluffy white or red feathers.
3. Northern Wheatear
A summer denizen of tundra and rocky habitats in Alaska and far northern Canada, Northern Wheatears are small songbirds that occasionally stray south looking for habitats that resemble home. The marsh’s grassy expanse lures them in. There are several recorded sightings in Scarborough, mostly in fall.
2. Eskimo Curlew and Long-billed Curlew
These two species of streaked brown shorebirds are some of the marsh’s most amazing visitors. The Long-billed’s thin beak is among the longest of any shorebird at more than 8 inches. They breed in the grasslands of the American West, but occasionally stray during migration, and have shown up in Scarborough a handful of times, the last time being in 1939. The Eskimo Curlew is its shorter, stockier cousin. Once fairly common in Maine during migration, the bird was among the most numerous shorebirds in the country. Rampant hunting and habitat loss caused their numbers to dwindle, and the last sighting was in 1963.
1. European and Pacific Golden-Plovers
The rare-bird gold medal goes to the European and Pacific Golden-Plovers, two relatives of the more common Black-bellied Plover and American Golden-Plover, which are well known in Scarborough. Maine’s first and only recorded sighting of the Pacific Golden-Plover was in 1911. More recently, the European Golden-Plover, which as its name implies typically haunts the coast on the other side of the ocean, was spotted in 2008.
Honorable Mentions: Maine’s only record of nesting Wilson’s Phalaropes was at Scarborough Marsh in 2002. The only recorded Steller’s Eider was shot at Pine Point in 1926. Two Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were seen at the Marsh in 1972. Maine’s first-ever Bar-tailed Godwit was seen at Pine Point in 1978. The state’s first Chestnut-collared Longspur was seen among Horned Larks at the Marsh in 1993.
Ask Us a Question
Do you have questions about wildlife, habitat, or other topics related to the Scarborough Marsh? Please send them to SMAC@MaineAudubon.org.
MARSH EVENTS – SUMMER 2024
BOAT RENTALS AND TRIPS
Canoe/Kayak Rentals | Daily 9 am–4 pm
Guided Canoe Tours | Daily 10–11:30 am
Full Moon Canoe Tours | Call for times; June 20, 21; July 19-21; August 17-19
Guided Kayak Tours | July 12, August 10, 1–2:30 pm
Sunset Canoe Tours | July 26, August 12, August 26, call for times
Nature Sketching by Canoe | July 27, 2–3:30 pm
Early-Morning Canoe Tour | August 24, 6–7:30 am
CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY PROGRAMS
Family Nature Walk: Mummichugs and Marsh Muck | Wednesdays, June 19–August 28, 10:30 am–12 pm
Explore the marsh through discovery-oriented activities that use all five senses.
Exploring Nature Through Art | July 9 and August 6, 10:30 am–12 pm
Through various art projects children (5–10 yrs) will discover the wonders of the salt marsh.
Cat Tales Story Hour | July 18 and August 15, 10:30 am–12 pm
Bring your preschooler (3–5 years with adult) to our fun and exciting story hour.
Tiny Tot Tour | July 25 and August 22, 10:30–11:30 am
Introduce your wee folk (3–5 years with adult) to this unique habitat through hands-on activities.
Nature Pottery | July 23 and August 20, 10:30 am–12 pm
Explorers (8–11 years) search the marsh for natural artifacts and incorporate these into their own handmade pottery.
