Monarch caterpillar.
The most thrilling part of this day—birdwise or otherwise—was this warm early afternoon when, upon exiting Good Tern Coop in Rockland, I saw a Common Nighthawk winging its way over the parking lot. I got so excited I walked back in to tell the clerks what I’d seen.
I remember in the old days when nighthawks nested on the roofs of the Rockland business block, but until today I hadn’t seen a single one in town in probably 20 years. Last one I’ve seen was flying above Beech Hill a few years ago.
Speaking of: not a single decent bird pic from my hike with dog today today. But I did get a pic of a Monarch caterpillar.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
2. Blue Jay
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. American Crow*
5. American Goldfinch**
6. Song Sparrow
7. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
8. Yellow-rumped Warbler
9. Gray Catbird (v)
10. Turkey Vulture*
11. Tufted Titmouse (v)
12. Eastern Towhee (v)
Elsewhere
13. Northern Cardinal
14. White-breasted Nuthatch
15. Wild Turkey
16. Rock Pigeon
17. Herring Gull
18. Common Nighthawk
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, common nighthawk, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, northern cardinal, red-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch, wild turkey, yellow-rumped warbler
