Kennebec River at Sidney-Vassalboro 
Sidney, Vassalboro 
Secondary priority 
Description 
This half-mile or so reach of the Kennebec in Sidney and Vassalboro, with its adjacent 
uplands, is not one particular habitat, but rather supports various rare plants and animals 
in several different habitats. In addition, it is a large stretch of relatively undeveloped 
shoreline. On the rich alluvial soils of the shores, rare plants characteristic of enriched 
floodplain soils have been found: wild leek (Vassalboro side) and long-beaked sedge 
(Sidney side). Both records indicate the need for further inventory in the area, and 
several other Kennebec River floodplain herbs could be searched for: wild garlic (Allium 
canadense), showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), etc. 
Eagles are seen along this stretch of the river, and nesting has been reported 
intermittently since the 1940s. Nesting was first documented here in 1996: a single nest 
between woodland patches along the outlet of Lily Pond, nested between two farms. 
Eagles nesting here have exhibited productivity higher than the statewide average since 
that time, and resident and transient eagles use the shores on both sides of the river. 
In the river itself, the tidewater mucket, a rare mussel, was documented in 1996. Since 
that was before the removal of the Edwards Dam, the continued existence of that mussel 
here should be investigated: it may be elsewhere up and down the river. 
West of the river itself, between the River Road, the Lyons Road, and the interstate, is an 
area of upland sandpiper habitat. This grassland bird is a rarity throughout the northeast. 
At least three pairs of upland sandpipers nest here, and do so consistently, which 
represents a fairly significant habitat. Other upland sandpiper nesting areas in Maine are 
chiefly in the sandplain grasslands of York County or the blueberry barrens Downeast, so 
this occurrence in a central Maine hayfield is unique. Along with the ÒuppiesÓ here are 
meadowlarks, bobolinks, and savanna sparrows, which are also of some concern because 
of recent population declines regionally. 
Rare Species and Natural Communities Summary Table 
Common Name Latin Name EO Global State 
Rank Rank Rank 
Tidewater mucket Leptodea ochracea E G4 S2 
Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda E G5 S3 
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus E G4 S4B 
Long-beaked sedge Carex sprengelii E G5 S1 
Wild leek Allium canadense G5 S2 

Other Resources Mapped by MDIFW 
None are mapped in the immediate area. 
Protection Status 
The lands are all privately owned. 
Conservation Considerations 
Information on the location and extent of the rare plant populations and the tidewater 
mucket should be updated. Additional surveys along the river could turn up new 
locations for these species. 
The upland sandpiper habitat is currently being well managed by the private landowner. 
The most important consideration for these grassland-nesting birds is a large enough area 
of habitatÑgenerally at least 100 acresÑand when during the year the fields are mowed. 
Mowing in June, as is often done in active hayfields, will not allow the birds to fledge 
young. If mowing can be put off until at least mid-July, most of the nesting birds should 
be able to fledge a brood. 
Appropriate conservation strategies for this area as a whole include open space 
treatments, conservation easements, and fee ownership.