Among the lesser estuaries, two (Weskeag River and Marsh Stream) are 

 characterized by sizeable (for Maine) tidal marshes. Major portions of these 

 two wetlands are owned and managed by the MDIFW to benefit watefowl and other 

 wildlife. Principle waterfowl species utilizing these marshes are black 

 ducks, goldeneyes, buffleheads, and Canada geese. Most intensive use occurs 

 during spring and fall migration periods. The estuaries of the Penobscot, 

 Orland, and Bagaduce Rivers traditionally have been prime wintering and 

 migration areas for black ducks, goldeneyes, buffleheads, and limited numbers 

 of greater scaup. During winter, all of these estuaries freeze progressively 

 further seaward, and from shore to center channel. The Orland and Bagaduce 

 Rivers may freeze almost completely, and the main stem of the Penobscot River 

 frequently requires ice-breakers to clear the way for passage above Bucksport 

 (see chapter 2, "The Maine Coast Ecosystem"). During intense cold, tidal 

 flats usually freeze during the ebb tide and the flood tide tempertures are 

 insufficiently high to thaw them between tides. When the flats are frozen, 

 the black duck and other dabblers are forced into a narrow band between the 

 low water mark and the maximum feeding depth (24 inches; 61 km). Although 

 food may be abundant and readily available in the vicinity of an island 5 to 

 10 miles (8 to 16 km) seaward, black ducks remain in their traditional 

 wintering habitats even if starvation threatens. 



The Bagaduce estuary, noted for its lush and extensive eelgrass beds, has not 

 shown a winter decline in duck abundance. This estuary, and the Penobscot and 

 Orland estuaries in region 4, have not experienced major declines in wintering 

 birds since 1976 (MDIFW file data). These eelgrass beds in region 4 also 

 provide food for a flock of wintering Canada geese. 



Region 5 . The Narraguagus River is the largest in this region but is 

 long, narrow, and little used by waterfowl. Narraguagus Bay, with its highly 

 irregular shoreline, extensive intertidal flats, and many islands, is 

 excellent marine wintering and migration habitat for black ducks, goldeneyes, 

 buffleheads, scoters, eiders, and old squaws. Region 5 is about the eastern 

 limit of significant eider wintering and molting areas. The marine waterfowl 

 environment of this region is characterized by many small, shallow, and well 

 protected bays with large acreages of intertidal flat feeding areas. 

 Excellent beds of eelgrass are known in some areas west of Schoodic Point, in 

 the Mt. Desert Island Narrows, Goose Cove, and Taunton Bay. Smaller, more 

 sparse, stands occur in other nearby areas. 



The Frenchman's Bay area is the most important wintering area for greater 

 scaup on the entire coast. Several small tidal rivers empty into Frenchman's 

 Bay and are important to other wintering and/or migrating waterfowl. From 

 west to east these include: the Jordan River, Trenton; Skillings River, 

 Lamoine; and the Taunton River, Sullivan. 



East of Schoodic Point, Gouldsboro Bay, Dyer Bay, Pigeon Hill Bay, Back Bay, 

 Flat Bay, Harrington River Estuary, and the Pleasant River Estuary are all 

 important for wintering and migratory waterfowl. 



Region 6 . This northeastern most region stretches from the western 

 boundary at Addison, to Calais, to the head of tide on the St. Croix River 

 estuary. From the Addison boundary to Cutler Harbor the coastline is highly 

 irregular with many bays, coves, islands, and tidal stream estuaries. It is 

 excellent habitat for all migrating and wintering waterfowl species of Maine 



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