On Monday (22 June), Charlie Todd found an apparent pair of SEDGE WRENS while surveying private property in Searsport (Waldo County). The male was very vocal each day since, and often sings from solitary saplings in its sedge-grass territory.
Access to this site has a few challenges so please read the following recommendations and strongly consider your personal feasibility of access before chasing this bird. As stated above, this site is a large parcel of private property, though it is not posted. Charlie was there providing technical assistance for an owner wanting to evaluate grassland bird activity before conversion of his field. Keep in mind that this location is being shared as having implied access, so be respectful, minimize your impact, and leave the place the way you found it.
With legal access the priority, you should also know the physical access is difficult as well. First, you need a vehicle with decent clearance as the place to park is about 500 feet down a rutted path that I really hesitate to call a road. At this 500 foot mark, you'll see a clearing where trees have been harvested and a couple vehicles could park. This dirt drive access is located on the west side of Turnpike Road, about 0.4 miles north from Route 1 (across from the private Amy Lois Lane). I don't think any cars should attempt parking on Turnpike Road as the road is narrow, banks are steep, and you'd be in another person's yard. Driving a vehicle with clearance (hint: a Prius wouldn't make it) or even walking the 0.75 miles up from parking along Sears Island Road, appear to be the best options to access this spot. From this harvested opening in the woods, follow the dirt ruts a little over 0.3 miles into the clearing and you'll be on the Sedge Wren territory. When you find the wet spot in the road, you'll know you're there (and probably have heard the bird by then).
Also note that Sedge Wrens are listed as endangered breeders in Maine and have not been confirmed in the state since 2000 (at Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor). Even as migrants this species is very rare in the state, so please don't do anything to compromise the potential nesting of this apparent pair. There is no need to use playback or try flushing the bird. You should be successful in finding the bird by staying along the path and listening for the vocal male. It frequently vocalizes from the grass and often perches from a few small saplings, so patience will reward you with views. I do want to encourage everyone to keep an eye (or ear) out for Sedge Wrens around the state. There are hundreds of similar settings and special attention to the wet areas of fields may produce more of these secretive birds, and hopefully in an easier to access location.
Good birding,
Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org
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