Birding the Cliff House in Cape Neddick
The Cliff House, located in Cape Neddick (York County), is a true destination location. The tall, picturesque cliffs are a major attraction for tourists visiting the resort but have become known as a prime birding location in the off-season. Due to construction at the resort beginning in 2015, access has been limited to birders though a recent update posted to Maine-birds provides some opportunity.
Many thanks to Andrew Aldrich for talking with representatives of the Cliff House to establish these rules for access:
Access: the Cliff House is located at 591 Shore Road in Cape Neddick. You can get directions and see the most recent sightings for this hotspot at: ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L192295
Parking: There are three levels of parking on the left as you enter. Birders should only park in the upper two levels as the lowest is reserved for the construction company.
Birding: From the parking lot, walk towards the ocean and you will find a green fence. Follow along the south (right) side of the fence and about half way down the building is a door (on your right) for you to enter. Walk through the wide hallway that opens into the south side of the building. Continue past the hot tubs and down to the fence. Please do not go over the fence. From here, your views of the ocean will be primarily south and east.
King Eider – Cape Neddick, ME – (c) Doug Hitchcox
The Cliff House has historically been an ideal place for seawatching. One great example was this phenomenal day Luke Seitz had on 17 November 2016: ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S7118583.
Hopefully everyone can follow these rules and keep this beautiful hotspot accessible to birders!