Coastal birding habitat

Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway

Maine · Northeast

Habitat
Coastal
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway is a productive birding destination in Maine, with 251 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

7/18/2026Kettle Cove1 observed

Thick-billed Murre

Uria lomvia

7/18/2026Pine Point Beach--Ave. 51 observed

Tricolored Heron x Snowy Egret (hybrid)

Egretta tricolor x thula

7/18/2026Scarborough Marsh--Eastern Trail1 observed

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

7/18/2026Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway2 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

7/18/2026Stratton Island2 observed

Leach's Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates leucorhous

7/18/2026Stratton Island1 observed

Fox Sparrow (Red)

Passerella iliaca

7/17/2026Piper Shores1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

7/16/2026Ferry Beach SP, Saco1 observed

Snowy x Little Egret (hybrid)

Egretta thula x garzetta

7/16/2026Gilsland Farm Audubon Center1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

737/18/2026

Common Eider

157/18/2026

Semipalmated Plover

67/18/2026

Piping Plover

47/18/2026

Short-billed Dowitcher

137/18/2026

Red Knot

27/18/2026

Least Sandpiper

407/18/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper

167/18/2026

Bonaparte's Gull

507/18/2026

Ring-billed Gull

307/18/2026

American Herring Gull

457/18/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

87/18/2026

Common Tern

1007/18/2026

Roseate Tern

67/18/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

27/18/2026

Snowy Egret

17/18/2026

Great Blue Heron

17/18/2026

Bald Eagle

17/18/2026

Black-bellied Plover

147/16/2026

Tree Swallow

17/16/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.

  2. 2

    Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway for birding?
The best months to visit Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway?
Notable species at Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway include Sanderling, Brown Pelican, Osprey, Royal Tern, Willet. The area supports coastal habitats.
How difficult is birding at Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway?
Birding at Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
What amenities are available at Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway?
Hills Beach and Basket Island Causeway offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.