November 29, 1994
Sunny, 80°F
Today, I took a trip to MacArthur State Beach, where, upon my arrival in the parking lot, I noticed an entire tree full of ☆Black Vulture☆ and Turkey Vulture between the parking lot and the sand dunes. I was able to get fairly close before they became nervous and flew away, and was able to get a really great look. Maybe it’s weird, but I really enjoy vultures. An American Kestrel was also seen near the parking lot, perched in a tree.
My original intention was to walk the wooded nature trails, but when I approached the trailhead, I saw multiple spiderwebs that had been constructed overnight across the path. (I’m guessing that I was the first visitor to the park on this particular morning). These ☆Golden Silk Spider☆ were huge and beautiful – 4 inches long and larger. However, I didn’t like the idea of one of them falling on my head if I disturbed the web, so instead of walking the trails, I headed for the beach.
There is a wonderful boardwalk that crosses Lake Worth Cove, which turned out to definitely be the best spot from which to bird. I saw lots of Osprey hunting over the Cove – at least 10 birds, maybe more. Wonderful! From the boardwalk, I also spotted a few ☆Wood Stork☆ flying near the beach. When I made my way down to the beach, I saw a live Conch (probably Pink) in the mud near the shore.
Species List
Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis), ☆Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)☆, ☆Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)☆, American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi), Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), Atlantic Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis), Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus albus), Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga leucogaster), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Golden Silk Spider (Trichonephila clavipes), possible Pink Conch (Strombus gigas)
Let me know what you think!