Discover the York River—home to the highest concentration of protected or endangered species in Maine
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The York River and its surrounding 33-square-mile watershed support one of the highest concentrations of threatened and endangered species in Maine.
Its pristine estuaries, salt marshes, and undeveloped headwaters provide critical habitats for mammals, birds, reptiles, and rare insects. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Protected species and rare wildlife in the area include: [1]
Mammals
Birds
- Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta): Listed as endangered in Maine, these birds nest exclusively in the extensive salt marshes along the river's tidal reaches. [1]
- Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus): A federally threatened shorebird that nests on coastal beaches just outside the river mouth near York Harbor. [1, 2, 3]
- Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii): A federally endangered seabird that uses the nearby coastal waters for foraging. [1, 2]
Reptiles & Amphibians
- Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata): Listed as threatened in Maine, they are frequently found in the small, undisturbed wetlands and vernal pools of the river's headwaters. [1, 2]
- Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii): An endangered species that relies on the complex wetland-upland mosaics throughout the York region. [1]
Insects
- Ringed Boghaunter Dragonfly (Williamsonia lintneri): A state-threatened and globally rare dragonfly. The wetlands north of York Pond in Eliot host one of the most significant breeding populations in North America. [1]
- Hessel's Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli): A state-endangered butterfly that depends exclusively on Atlantic white cedar swamps, found in select areas of York County. [1]
Fish & Marine Life
A 13-mile stretch of the York River and its tributaries is recognized as a Partnership Wild & Scenic River, underscoring the importance of ongoing conservation efforts led by organizations like the York Land Trustand the York River Stewardship Committee. [1]