Bird 183 - Ring Necked Pheasant
Friday 18th June 2021
It has become increasingly difficult to spot birds that would be new additions to our “Year afloat list”. However, as Gloria and I walked along a sandy road this afternoon near the former Block Island Coast Guard Station we spotted a Ring Necked Pheasant. This feral bird, introduced from the Old World and a common sight on our drive to work when we lived in Cheshire, England, is the 183rd entry on our bird list. We were very excited, which just goes to prove there is no thrill too cheap for a live-aboard boater. I also know that most of you are not the slightest bit interested in our bird list!
This morning we took our folding bikes to shore and Sheila rented a bike from Aldo’s bike rental. Aldo and Maria Leone were the founders of the Aldo Bakery on Block Island fifty years ago and their descendants, Aldo and Bobby, have continued and expanded the business. They have a bakery / coffee shop / ice cream shop and restaurant in New Shoreham and they rent out bikes, scooters and small cars. In high season they have a boat that tours the harbor offering coffee, pastry and all things excellent. You know they are around when you hear “andiamo” shouted across the water … “let’s go”. We cycled into town and spent a couple of hours wandering around and hanging out before heading along the beach road and stopping for an excellent lunch at Tiger-Fish, an Asian fusion restaurant. We bicycled back to New Harbor and Gloria and I continued down to the inlet to the Great Salt Pond and the old Coast Guard Station. The buildings are now owned by the community of Block Island and are used to house the summer police force.
We are now back aboard Cotinga, enjoying our last evening in Block Island. Tomorrow we head out back to East Greenwich.
Mike
41 11.142 N, 71 34.678 W
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