05/18/2026
🐤🪶🌿Birders and hikers, Spring is in full bloom and the warblers have arrived in all their diversity and glory! The South Portland Land Trust invites you to explore the Clark’s Pond Trail just off Westbrook Street and Gorham Avenue. It is a great alternative to the crowds at Capisic or other “hot spots!” You can park behind the Irving Gas Station on Westbrook Street next to the Air Force National Guard base, grab a cup of coffee and a munchie and begin an hour-long stroll around Clark’s Pond. This past week you would have seen warblers (including the very cute Cape May warbler flitting around in the bushes at your elbow!), a pair of kingbirds perched prominently on a dead tree branch, orioles, cardinals, catbirds, cormorants fishing, duscks, a broad-shouldered hawk soaring overhead, and a pair of geese shepherding their five fluffy goslings and more.
Alternatively, you can park at Home Depot adjacent to the Garden Center end of the store and access the trail via the Land Trust kiosk. The trail makes a circle through woods bordering on the turnpike access road (the birds don’t mind the white noise of the traffic) with good views of Long Creek and Clark’s Pond throughout. The trail is well-marked, the stairs up and down a couple of steep spots are well maintained, and bog bridges get you across two or three wet areas after a recent rain. You will have a great morning on this hidden urban trail, so get out with your friends and family and enjoy the Spring air!
Check out the other South Portland Land Trust Trails at https://www.southportlandlandtrust.org
📸: Peter O’Connell
