| Maquoit Bay | |
|---|---|
 Looking southwest from the head of Maquoit Bay towards the islands off South Freeport | |
  Maquoit Bay Location of Maquoit Bay in Maine | |
| Location | Maine, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°51′36″N 69°59′59″W / 43.85993°N 69.99981°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Part of | Casco Bay |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
Maquoit Bay is a bay in Cumberland County, Maine, in the northern part of Casco Bay. It is located between South Freeport and Mere Point, Brunswick, and is a Focus Area of Statewide Ecological Significance and one of the state's Important Bird Areas.[1]
The mouth of Maquoit Bay faces southwest, which results in its becoming a receptacle for nutrients flowing in from Casco Bay. The mixing of these nutrients with the organic material of the bay's salt marshes, a process assisted by the tides and the confluences of surrounding watercourses, creates a rich environment for marine life.[2]
On top of the large amounts of shellfish, the bay is also home to thousands of waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds all year round. Shorebirds, in particular, undertake complete annual migration round trips of up to 20,000 miles (32,000 km), taking them to nesting areas in the Arctic and winter homes in South America, and many hundreds of them stop in Maquoit Bay to rest for the next leg of their journey.
- ^ Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance - Maquoit and Middle Bay - Maine.gov
- ^ "Maquoit Bay". Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Retrieved 2022-08-13.