Milbridge and the Maine Coastal Islands Wildlife Refuge

The former shipbuilding town of Milbridge is a handy base for exploring the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (pictured above). The town has its own charms as well, celebrated in the town history museum; as recently as 1983 a boat was built and launched here.

Stringing along the length of the Maine coast,  the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge is actually a complex of several refuges. All protect a collection of uninhabited islands and parcels of land, habitat for nesting seabirds and birds of prey. The entire refuge now includes about 50 islands, three onshore areas, and more than 8,000 acres in all. It’s home to terns, plovers, bald eagles, puffins, razorbills, storm petrels, and eiders, among other birds.

About 2.5 miles west of Milbridge, turn down Pigeon Hill Road and drive south 5.5 miles to the Petit Manan Point Refuge, which has a couple of excellent walking trails—the 1.5-mile Hollingsworth Loop and the 4-mile Birch Point Trail. Please respect the rules protecting these delicate ecosystems. Tread lightly, and light no open fires or unleash any dogs.

Another excellent way to explore the refuge is by boat.  Sailing out of Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. (tel. 207/288-2386), runs tours to its various islands. From Cutler, a few miles up the coast, the popular Bold Coast Charter Company also runs trips out to the refuge’s Seal Island.