06/12/2026
🥾Field Trip Friday: Week of June 7, 2026.
I hiked both Keller Mohawk Hill Public Conservation Area and David E. Ramsey Independence River Public Conservation Area.
At Keller Mohawk Hill, a Northern Harrier was observed flying near the west field before disappearing over the forest. Daisies, Ragged Robin, buttercups, and Birdsfoot Trefoil are in bloom, and bees and butterflies, including Monarchs, Common Ringlets, Cabbage Whites, and Spring Azures, were plentiful.
Birds heard in the hedgerow were Northern Yellow Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds, and Catbirds. Dozens of ducks were in the main pond, while Savannah Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds were observed near the marsh. From the little chirps coming from hummocks in the marsh, it’s a safe bet there are nests with Red-winged Blackbird hatchlings. I also spotted an American Bittern, possibly the same one from last week.
There was a lot of activity at David E. Ramsey Independence River. Northern Crescent and Swallowtail butterflies, small moths, Lilypad and Lancet Clubtails, and an Aurora damselfly were seen. Forest Tent Caterpillars were also eating their way through low-growing vegetation.
In the forest, I encountered two Red-backed Salamanders near decaying bark, one less than two inches long, along with numerous mushrooms. The forest was filled with the calls of the Eastern Wood Pewee, Ovenbird, Brown Creeper, Black-throated Green Warbler, Robin, Purple Finch, and Cedar Waxwing. Birds seen included Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, and two Pileated Woodpeckers. One began making an extremely loud and menacing “cuk, cuk, cuk” call until the second woodpecker left the area.
Happy Hiking!!
-Laurie Frykholm
To learn more about our public conservation areas visit: tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org/explore
