The nutrient-poor soils of northernmost New England and the Adirondack Mountains support spruce-fir forests on more northerly and higher sites and northern hardwoods elsewhere. Virtually all of the world's Bicknell's Thrush breed on mountaintops in this region. Other important forest birds include the Canada Warbler and Bay-breasted Warbler. Coastal wetlands are inhabited by Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, rocky intertidal areas are important for wintering Purple Sandpipers, and muddy intertidal habitats are critical as Semipalmated Sandpiper staging sites. Common Eiders and Black Guillemots breed in coastal habitats, while Leach's Storm-Petrels, gulls, terns, and the southernmost populations of many breeding alcids nest on offshore islands. Beaver ponds and shores of undisturbed lakes and ponds provide excellent waterfowl breeding habitat, particularly for American Black Duck, Hooded and Common Mergansers, and Common Goldeneye. The Hudson and Connecticut River valleys are important corridors for Atlantic Brant, Green-winged Teal, and other waterfowl migrating from New England and Quebec. Because inland wetlands freeze, coastal wetlands are used extensively by dabbling ducks, sea ducks and geese during winter and migration.

ABC-designated Globally Important Bird Areas in this BCR

Acadia National Park

Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Area (Adirondack Park)

Baxter State Park

Green Mountain National Forest

Waters around Machias Seal Island

Merrymeeting Bay, Northeast Coastal Maine

Mount Mansfield

Upper St. John River Project

White Mountain National Forest