Cobscook Bay is the most productive complex of bald eagle nesting habitat in Maine, and perhaps in all of the northeastern United States. In the early 1970s when eagles had all but disappeared from the remainder of the State and the northeast, approximately 10 remaining pairs of bald eagles continued to breed successfully in Cobscook Bay. The dramatic recovery of Maine’s eagle population over the past 50 years has been due, in no small measure, to the survival and reproductive efforts of the birds around Cobscook Bay.  

Large numbers of shorebirds use the tidal flats of Cobscook Bay as feeding and roosting areas. These areas are particularly important during spring and autumn migration, and are most heavily used during the fall. Several sites adjacent to Cobscook Bay WMA are designated as Significant Wildlife Habitat under the State’s Natural Resources Protection Act as shorebird nesting, feeding, and staging areas.

The Cobscook Bay Wildlife Management Area is made up of 10 Units comprising approximately 2,300 acres of land, including tidal shoreline, freshwater wetlands, and upland. Focal species for management include waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and island-nesting seabirds. In addition, Cobscook Bay has the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the northeastern United States.

Much of the land surrounding Cobscook Bay was formerly settled and managed as small, subsistence farms. Tillable land was cleared for pasture or hay production. This is evident by numerous old fields that still exist in various states of reversion. Old cellar holes, dug wells, and an abundance of apple trees can be found in most Units. Larger Units such as Commissary Point and Morong Cove historically supported several occupied homesteads as recently as 50 years ago.

The Cobscook Bay WMA has nearly 18 miles of inter-tidal shoreline at a variety of locations around Cobscook Bay. Numerous protected coves provide important feeding, nesting, loafing, and staging areas for many species of migratory waterfowl. Maintaining these coves and associated coastal wetlands in a relatively undisturbed state will benefit migratory waterfowl such as black ducks, hooded mergansers, green and blue-winged teal, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, and Canada geese.

Commissary Point Unit
4.5-mile trail network. This peninsula in Cobscook Bay can be explored on a 1.5-mile forested loop hiking trail, or a 3-mile round trip on a grassy lane through forest, old fields, and orchards.

Morong Cove Unit
3.3-mile trail network. The Morong Cove Trail network offers several ways to explore this coastal peninsula. Winding through a diverse forest, the trail offers a high scenic view of Cobscook Bay, access to the shoreline, and a section of historic farm fields and homesteads.

Horan Head Unit
3.2-mile trail network. This trail network provides an array of options for discovering the 330-acre unit. Trails provide open views of Straight Bay, more intimate access to Federal Harbor and a feel for the coastal spruce-fir forest.

Dennison Point Unit
1.6-mile trail network. A short hike through the fields and forest of Dennison Point leads to a scenic view of Whiting Village and the Orange River as it flows into Cobscook Bay.

Lily Lake
Direct access to the lake. No hiking trails. 

Race Point
Foot traffic-only access to the WMA from the parking area. Hiking trails are on the southern half of this unit.