The Rockland Breakwater is an inviting place to bird in winter if temperature and wind cooperate. it is a popular walking destination year-round. There is a large parking lot at the end of Samoset Road. Navigating the uneven and widely spaced granite blocks requires concentration and sturdy walking shoes. A scope is handy for identifying distant birds on the water.

In winter it’s a great spot for Purple Sandpipers and one of the better locations to check for Common Black-headed Gulls and Great Cormorants. Scan for grebes, loons, goldeneyes, Black Guillemots, American Wigeon, and Long-tailed Ducks.

The Rockland Breakwater is a 0.9-mile-long granite block barrier near the entrance to Rockland Harbor, with a lighthouse at the end. It provides excellent views of nearshore seabirds. The nearby Samoset Resort has public restrooms.

Rockland Harbor is a scenic and historic port on the coast of Maine. It is home to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, which showcases the history and culture of lighthouses in the state. Rockland Harbor also hosts the annual Maine Lobster Festival, a celebration of the local seafood industry and cuisine. The harbor is surrounded by rocky shores and islands and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching.