What bird habitats are regulated and why are they important?
A. Inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) has identified significant inland habitats for ducks, geese, herons, and similar species of waterfowl and wading birds throughout the state, rating them as having high to moderate value. A high to moderate value inland bird habitat is a complex of freshwater wetland and open water areas plus a 250-foot wide area surrounding the complex itself where inland species of waterfowl and wading birds nest. On great ponds 1 , only the upland area that is within 250 feet of the freshwater wetland is included as part of this bird habitat. Shorebird feeding and roosting areas: DIF&W has identified essential staging area habitats where concentrations of shorebirds like plovers and sandpipers congregate during migration periods. These staging areas include areas where the birds feed and rest. Shorebirds feed constantly in the intertidal area to build up reserves for their long migration. When the t
