Field Trip: Rabbit Path at Power Line Crossing, Alna

Join us as we explore one of the Mid-Coast’s best-kept birding secrets! This location looks like many other power line right-of-ways, but has a unique tendency to attract migrating warblers, vireos, and other songbirds in unbelievable numbers (see, for example, this eBird checklist). Timing is key, but we’re hopeful for a warbler fallout, which we’ve been fortunate to witness here in recent years. The trick is to arrive before dawn and be ready with binoculars in hand as migrating warblers fall out of the sky. In addition to warblers, we’ll also be on the lookout for Philadelphia Vireo and Vesper Sparrow—both reliable sightings for this time of year and location.

Directions: This hotspot doesn’t have an exact address, but we recommend navigating to approximately 140 Rabbit Path Rd in Alna, ME 04535, or using the following coordinates: 44.11055, -69.63681. Parking at this site is very limited and we are exploring other nearby parking locations, but we recommend carpooling. Please also note that we may need to change the location of this field trip due to ongoing right-of-way maintenance along this stretch of power lines.

We welcome birders of all ages and skill levels. For more information, please call trip leader Jeff Cherry at (914) 489-7870. To sign up, please send an email to Mael Glon (midcoastfieldtrips at maineaudubon.org) with your name and telephone number.