Scarborough Marsh, a sprawling 3,100-acre estuary owned and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, represents Maine’s largest salt marsh. This vital coastal ecosystem encompasses a rich tapestry of tidal marsh, winding salt creeks, freshwater marsh zones, and upland areas. Its significance lies in its role as a critical habitat for diverse wildlife, serving as a crucial resting, breeding, and feeding ground for numerous species.
The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center stands as the premier gateway to exploring this expansive natural wonder. Offering immersive experiences by foot, canoe, or kayak, the center caters to nature enthusiasts of all kinds. While the visitor center and boat rentals are seasonal, typically running until September and reopening in May, the marsh’s allure persists year-round. When open, the center provides an array of naturalist-guided and self-guided tours designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the marsh ecosystem. Exhibits within the center further illuminate the marsh’s ecology, complemented by a dedicated nature trail for self-guided exploration. For those seeking on-water adventures, canoe and kayak rentals are usually available, alongside the Maine Audubon Nature Store, offering resources and mementos for your marsh experience.
Explore upcoming events and programs at Scarborough Marsh
Discovering Scarborough Marsh by Canoe and Kayak
While the regular guided canoe tours have concluded for 2024 and boat rentals are paused until May 2025, planning ahead for the next season is highly recommended. Historically, “Daily Guided Canoe Tours” offered an enriching way to learn about the marsh’s intricate wildlife and plant life while paddling gently along the Dunstan River. These tours, typically led by experienced naturalists, provide insightful commentary and hands-on learning opportunities within the marsh environment.
It is important to note that boating within Scarborough Marsh is heavily influenced by tidal patterns. Tidal fluctuations can shift and vary, impacting water levels and accessibility. Tide charts provide estimations, but real-time conditions can differ, requiring flexibility when scheduling boat tours. Always check local tide predictions and be prepared for potential changes in water levels.
Trails and Nature Exploration
For visitors preferring land-based exploration, Scarborough Marsh offers well-maintained trails. The “Birds of the Marsh” signs along the Nature Trail enhance the self-guided experience, providing educational insights into the avian inhabitants of the marsh.
View the Scarborough Marsh trail map on Maine Trail Finder for detailed trail information and planning your walk. The trails are generally open daily from dawn until dusk, allowing for flexible exploration schedules.
Directions and Visitor Information
The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is located at 92 Pine Point Rd., Scarborough, ME 04074. For seasonal inquiries during May to September, contact 207.883.5100. For off-season information from October to April, the contact number is 207.781.2330. You can also reach them via email at [email protected].
To reach the center, from U.S. Route One in Scarborough, turn east onto Pine Point Road (Route 9 West). The nature center will be on your left, approximately 0.8 miles from the turn.
Wildlife and Habitat Diversity
Scarborough Marsh is renowned for its crucial habitat provision, supporting a vast array of wildlife, with a particular emphasis on bird species. The marsh serves as a haven for waterfowl, elegant egrets, various heron species, the striking Glossy Ibis, and numerous shorebird varieties. These birds rely on the marsh’s rich ecosystem for sustenance, a vital rest stop during migratory journeys, and secure nesting grounds. Beyond waterbirds, the marsh is also a notable location for spotting grassland songbirds, which are less common in other Maine regions, as well as diverse birds of prey that hunt within the marsh year-round. Mammalian inhabitants also include muskrat, mink, otter, and deer, all contributing to the marsh’s biodiversity.
To further enhance your understanding of the marsh’s ecology, downloadable guides are available: “What you can see in a salt marsh: Wildlife” and “What you can see in a salt marsh: Plants”. These resources provide valuable insights into the flora and fauna you are likely to encounter. For a virtual exploration, Robert Zottoli’s “Field Trip to a New England Salt Marsh” (http://zottoli.wordpress.com/saltmarshes/) offers a detailed online guide to salt marsh ecosystems.
Climate Change and Marsh Resilience
Scarborough Marsh is not immune to the broader challenges of climate change. A project initiated in 2021 by Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center Intern Laura Bither highlights the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on the marsh. This project emphasizes the perspectives of youth and fisherfolk, often underrepresented voices in environmental discussions. It focuses on the specific challenges faced by Maine coastal communities and their visions for building a climate-resilient future. Click here to explore the climate change project.
A Rich History of Scarborough Marsh
Scarborough Marsh carries a long and layered history of human interaction. For centuries, Sokokis Indians utilized the marsh for hunting, trapping, clamming, and fishing, deeply integrated with its natural cycles. European settlers arrived in the 1600s and began harvesting salt hay for livestock fodder and using the marsh as summer pastureland. The 19th century brought increased modifications, including ditching, filling of pannes (shallow depressions), and the introduction of tidal gates to control flooding. Channels were even dug to facilitate boat transport from inland areas to the sea via the marsh.
As haying declined in the 20th century, marshlands were increasingly viewed as disposable areas, potential sites for development like airports or landfills. Scarborough Marsh itself was once proposed as a town dump location. Recognizing the critical ecological value of this coastal habitat, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife initiated a twenty-year acquisition process in 1957 to protect the marsh. In 1972, Maine Audubon partnered with the state to transform an old clam shack on the marsh edge into a nature center, solidifying its role in conservation and education.
Today, Scarborough Marsh serves diverse functions: it remains a workplace for clam diggers, an outdoor classroom for students, a living laboratory for biologists, and a prime area for fishing and hunting. Above all, it is a constantly evolving and captivating natural space for naturalists and birdwatchers. Each spring and summer, over 10,000 individuals commence their marsh explorations at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, highlighting its enduring appeal and importance.
