Nature at the Norlands
The Norlands is more than just the mansion and historic buildings—our property also includes over 400 acres of trails, fields, and forests to explore. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the grounds free of charge from sunrise to sunset.
Making the most of your visit
To make the most of your nature walk at the Norlands, plan ahead!
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the grounds and property. You can find the carriage trails listed on AllTrails, but if you prefer paper, there are also physical maps available when our gift shop is open.
Next, consider the different habitats and species that you might encounter. More than 100 species of wild plants, birds, mammals, fish, insects, and fungi have already been documented here –– and there are hundreds more waiting to be discovered! To learn about the species that have already been spotted on the property, you can visit our eBird or iNaturalist pages.
Additionally, if you are visiting us during the spring and summer, you can download and print this checklist of birds that you are most likely to encounter. See if you can spot them all!
Top Five Norlands Nature Finds to Look For
New to being a naturalist and not sure where to start? Check out our top five most interesting nature finds!
Loons – two Common Loons have nested on Bartlett Pond the past few years. They are fiercely territorial birds, and have been known to defend their chosen lakes from other avian intruders.
Groundhogs – also known as “woodchucks” and “whistlepigs,” groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family. A healthy family has established themselves in the Norlands’ garden.
Moths – the lights outside the giftshop attract a variety of rare and colorful moths, like the Io Moth pictured above. Although they are more active at night, keep an eye out for them resting on walls, branches, or leaves during the daytime.
Ferns – Maine is home to more than fifty species of fern, including this elegant Christmas Fern, a true evergreen that stays lush even through the winter. To learn more about how to identify fern species, check out the “Fern Finder,” a dichotomous key sold in our giftshop.
Ravens – it is thought that Common Ravens mate for life. The Norlands’ resident pair likes to perch in the dead tree across from the library and make themselves known with load, croaking calls.