The 18 Best Places and Times to See Bald Eagles in Maine

You may not realize that bald eagles in Maine are seen often. There are 734 confirmed bald eagle nesting pairs in the state. Confirmed bald eagle nesting sites have increased by 16.1% in the last ten years. Eagle population growth is slow. Bald eagle females mate at the age of five. The birds lay between 2 and 4 eggs each year. Out of an egg clutch, normally only two eggs hatch.

See the lakes in Maine if you want to improve your chances of spotting a bald eagle. Eagles like big, open expanses of water, such as big lakes. They enjoy flying along the coast as well. An eagle in a tree is more difficult to see because its limbs and leaves conceal it from view, and it blends in with the surrounding colors.

1. Acadia National Park

National parks like Acadia National Park are prime areas for seeing bald eagles and other wildlife. Eagles in Maine migrate toward the mountain cliffs in the park. The park has freshwater lakes, ponds, and easy access to the ocean; therefore, the birds have access to their favorite food.

2. Androscoggin County

Eagles in Maine are seen close to sources of water. In Androscoggin County, the primary location for a bald eagle sighting is close to the Great Falls of the Androscoggin River, or along the banks of the river. The trees along the banks provide places for the birds to rest and nest. However, once the birds perch in the trees, spotting them becomes more difficult. Wildlife authorities report 13 confirmed bald eagle nests in Androscoggin County.

3. Aroostook County

Bald eagles in Maine feed in the morning between dawn and 11 a.m. While they are searching for food, this is the best time to spot them. Along the coast, you will see the birds flying at farther distances; however, if you spot them over a lake or pond, you will see them in more detail. Wildlife authorities report 46 confirmed bald eagle nests in Aroostook County.

4. Cumberland County

When eagles in Maine have chicks in their nest, they will protect a small area close to the nest by staying close. However, these large birds fly as many as 124 miles in search of food. Wildlife authorities report 26 confirmed bald eagle nests in Hancock County.

5. Damariscotta River

The bald eagles in Maine fish along the Damariscotta River. This is a 19.9-mile-long tidal river that has an abundant number of fish for the birds to eat.

6. Franklin County

Eagles in Maine find Franklin County an excellent place because of the number of lakes and ponds in the county. There are over 6,000 lakes in Maine. 222 of those lakes are located in Franklin County. Most eagles are spotted flying over large lakes; however, bald eagles are opportunistic and will fish in smaller ponds, rivers, creeks, streams, and along the coast. Wildlife authorities report 12 confirmed bald eagle nests in Franklin County.

7. Hancock County

Many eagles in Maine are seen in Hancock County along the Sugar Creek Watershed that flows through the county. When looking for eagles, it is advisable to stay close to a water source. Bald eagles feed primarily on ducks, fish, and reptiles. Therefore, they stay within two miles of a water source like a big lake, creek, or river. Wildlife authorities report 115 confirmed bald eagle nests in Hancock County.

8. Kennebeck County

Cobboseecontee Lake and Messalonskee Lake in Kennebec County are good places to spot eagles. The breeding season for eagles in Maine is between January and August. These large birds lay their eggs in late winter and early spring. The eggs incubate for 35 days; however, the young remain in the nest for 12 weeks after hatching. Eagles are more active when they have young ones in the nest. Wildlife authorities report 44 confirmed bald eagle nests in Kennebec County.

9. Knox County

Compost areas attract eagles in Maine, especially in Knox County. Bird watchers report seeing 20 to 30 eagles eating from the compost piles at Kinney Compost. Compost contains a lot of table scraps, and bald eagles are opportunistic; therefore, the compost pile is an all-you-can-eat buffet for them. Wildlife authorities report 30 confirmed bald eagle nests in Knox County.

10. Lincoln County

The people of Lincoln County and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have provided protected habitats so the eagles in Maine could replenish. Before 1972, DDT poisoned many of the birds; however, the ban on DDT in 1972 and the protected habitats have allowed the bird populations to increase. Wildlife authorities report 31 confirmed bald eagle nests in Lincoln County.

11. Oxford County

Mount Blue State Park and the abundant lakes and ponds found in Oxford County are responsible for the bald eagles being sighted so frequently there. Fish are an important food source for eagles. Eagles in Maine eat between two and three pounds of fish daily. Wildlife authorities report 23 confirmed bald eagle nests in Oxford County.

12. Penobscot County

The Penobscot River is the second-longest river in Maine. It is 8,570 miles in length, and it empties into Penobscot Bay. Eagles in Maine can fly along this river and find plenty of fish and perfect habitats for mating and rearing their young. Wildlife management authorities report 87 confirmed bald eagle nests in Penobscot County.

13. Piscataquis County

Wildlife authorities report 59 confirmed bald eagle nests in Piscataquis County. Piscataquis County is in the higher elevations and is the least populous county in Maine. Fewer people and higher altitudes are part of the reason why eagles in Maine are frequently seen here.

14. Sagadahoc County

When looking for eagles in Maine, there is a better-than-average chance that you will find some in Sagadahoc County. Wildlife authorities report 30 confirmed bald eagle nests in Sagadahoc County. Eagles establish one or two nesting sites in the same territory. They will alternate between these nests; however, a mated pair returns to the same breeding territory each year.

15. Somerset County

Somerset County is in west-central Maine. Quebec, Canada, establishes its northeastern border. Coastal areas are desired habitats for bald eagles. There are also plenty of rivers, lakes,, and ponds in Somerset County where eagles can find food. Wildlife authorities report 32 confirmed bald eagle nests in Somerset County.

16. Waldo County

Waldo County has the highest average number of bald eagles. Wildlife authorities report 22 confirmed bald eagle nests in Waldo County. The county is located in the south-central portion of the state. It has numerous rivers, lakes, and ponds, and it is on the coast, so there is a good chance that birdwatchers can see one of them between 7 a.m. and lunch on any given day.

17. Washington County

The number of eagles found in Washington County is higher than average. Wildlife authorities report 157 confirmed bald eagle nests in Washington County. Therefore, Washington County is the best place to see eagles in Maine. Washington County has a population of 31,095. The best chance of seeing a bald eagle here is along the coast; however, with the larger-than-average number of nests in the county, there is a good chance of seeing one while driving down the road.

18. York County

The concentration of bald eagles in York County is below average. Wildlife authorities report seven confirmed bald eagle nests in York County. Therefore, York County is the least likely county where you will spot bald eagles. York has food sources and habitat areas for the eagles; however, York is not situated close to as many wildlife resources and protection areas. Therefore, the birds are not found in this county in large numbers.

Summary of the 18 Best Places To See Eagles In Maine