Rachel Carson Refugewinter wildlife
Most shorebird use of the refuge comes during fall migration, from early July through early November, in its estuarine habitats, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Next 7 days at Rachel Carson Refuge
- TodayPatchy Fog63° / 54°1% rain
- ThuMostly Sunny69° / 62°–
- FriPartly Sunny71° / 54°32% rain
- SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny64° / 47°18% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers61° / 48°45% rain
- MonChance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny62° / 43°27% rain
Today: sunrise 6:38 a.m., sunset 6:26 p.m., light until 6:55 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Carson TrailA mostly level, looped path of about a mile at the Wells headquarters on Port Road, through coastal forest with views of the salt marsh; benches at some of its 11 stops; wheelchair and stroller accessible; leashed pets allowed
- Timber Point TrailAt the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford: salt marsh, river and ocean views and an accessible path to an observation platform over the mouth of the Little River; sunrise to sunset, foot traffic only, very limited parking
Nearby
- Great Meadows Refuge85 miNovemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
- Morton Refuge195 miLate October through early April
- Wertheim Refuge221 miLate October through early April
- Montezuma Refuge321 mi2 separate phases, from peak in September (within a mid-August through mid-October shorebird season)SatMostly Sunny
- Forsythe Refuge344 miDecember through FebruarySatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Bombay Hook389 miNovember (the peak) and DecemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
The year at Rachel Carson Refuge
- Shorebird migrationsMar–Aug
- Piping plovers on many beaches near the refuge, May through AugustMay–Aug
- Fall shorebird migration, early July through early NovemberNowJul–Nov
- Sep: Raptor migrationsNowSep
- Oct: Timber Point Trail colors (mid to late October)Oct
- Waterfowl gatherDec–Mar
Rachel Carson Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge?
Most shorebird use of the refuge comes during fall migration, from early July through early November, in its estuarine habitats, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: beginning in early July and continuing through early November. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Where on the refuge do the shorebirds feed?
Mostly on tidal mudflats and salt pannes: the Webhannet River at low tide, salt pannes in the Lower Wells and Upper Wells divisions, and the Batson River and Goose Rocks mudflats. The Biddeford Pool Division is one of southern Maine's top shorebird staging areas.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk out onto the marsh or mudflats?
No. Most wildlife habitat on the refuge is closed to the public and marked with 'Area Closed' or 'Unauthorized Entry Prohibited' signs. Watch from the designated visitor areas, open all year from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Will I see piping plovers?
Likely, from May through August, on many beaches near the refuge. Half to three quarters of Maine's piping plovers nest on or near the refuge, including beaches in Kennebunk, Goosefare Brook and Marshall Point at Goose Rocks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How many shorebird species pass through?
The refuge says the great diversity of shorebirds on its migration areas compares to only a few other sites in Maine; thousands of shorebirds feed along the coast's beaches and mudflats as they migrate through the state.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge?
Carson Trail: a mostly level, looped path of about a mile at the Wells headquarters on Port Road, through coastal forest with views of the salt marsh; benches at some of its 11 stops; wheelchair and stroller accessible; leashed pets allowed; Timber Point Trail: at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford: salt marsh, river and ocean views and an accessible path to an observation platform over the mouth of the Little River; sunrise to sunset, foot traffic only, very limited parking.
What is Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waterfowl gather (Dec–Mar), Shorebird migrations (Mar–Aug), Raptor migrations (Sep), Timber Point Trail colors (mid to late October) (Oct), Fall shorebird migration, early July through early November (Jul–Nov) and Piping plovers on many beaches near the refuge, May through August (May–Aug).
How we know · Sources (6)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)