NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, July 16, 2018 (Monday)
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line editor nelson@nb.sympatico.ca Please advise the editor if any errors
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For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com
Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397
(384-NEWS)
** Doreen
Rossiter arrived home after the day away on Saturday, to find a WHITE-WINGED
DOVE [Tourterelle à ailes blanches] sitting on top of a window feeder, with
only the window glass between it and Doreen for a very close up meeting. She
has had this species visit before, mostly in the spring or fall, this being the
first in July. Anyone is welcome to stop by her 52 Foster Street home in Alma
for a potential viewing if it remains, which this species often does for a bit
at bird feeders. One would wonder if this may be the individual that visited
John Inman’s Mary’s Point Road yard in June.
** Carmella
Melanson was lucky to get a photo of a COMMON NIGHTHAWK [Engoulevent d’Amérique]
in morning light at Memramcook on Saturday. We seem to be seeing less and less
of this species. The long wings and brilliant white spots show nicely on
Carmella’s photo. They are early migrants and we often see them in groups
during the day in migration, but usually more so in August.
** Judy and Sterling
Marsh got a photo of a very white bird in their neighbour’s Shediac Road yard
on Sunday. From the shape it does appear to be a EUROPEAN STARLING [Étourneau
sansonnet] but differing opinions are welcome. Judy felt the eye was dark, to
make it a partial albino, even though it seems to totally lack any melanin
otherwise. If the eye were red it would be an unusual complete albino, with iris
colour melanin lacking as well. A very interesting specimen, and Judy will be
on the watch for a closer photo for more detail. Am adding a photo Judy just got through a basement window that definitely shows the dark eye to make it a partial albino.
** Georges Brun
watched an interesting CANADA GOOSE [Bernache du Canada] situation recently. We
often see signs along trails that indicate a shared pathway. This was evident
Sunday morning when 34+ Canada Geese made the walk along the Petitcodiac Trail,
from the lighthouse near Moncton wharf to the Halls Creek walking bridge. They
had a challenge determining the safety of using the bridge, and retreated
towards the McMonagle Bridge on Main Street and got scared and retreated. A
good Samaritan shewed them with hands and hats across, so they turned off
towards the Main and Wheeler traffic light. Once there, they were guided by an
elder towards the river edge, where the geese slipped and sloshed into the
Petitcodiac River. The photo is of the group downriver. Most were in the
3-month of age range now, so they have that Canada Goose look.
** Brian Stone shares some insect
photos from around his Moncton yard. The Speckled Alder [] is a plentiful shrub
and lots of insects like foraging on it due to its high nitrogen content. The
ALDER FLEA BEETLE [Altise de l’aulne] is a very common one that can surely do a
number on alder foliage, as Brian’s photos show large numbers of them chowing
down on the leaves. A very unwelcome guest to anyone who grows potatos, a
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE [Doryphore de la pomme de terre] put in an appearance as well, as did an ALDER BORER
(Saperda obliqua), a larger beetle. As usual, Brian could not resist a
22-degree solar halo.
** I was in the
Stonehaven wharf area near Grande Anse on Friday. A few visiting ladies were at
the other end of the wharf and from their excitement, it was obvious they were
seeing something of interest on the water. A fast dash over to see the source
of their interest was too late. It was interesting that they had just seen two
whales out from the wharf. They only had a small camera with them at the time,
but did capture some photos that are documentary. They saw one larger whale and
one smaller one. The smaller seemed to almost try a breech at one point.
Heather O’Shea’s photos are attached. In consultation with Laurie Murison, she
feels the species spotted were MINKE WHALES [Petit Rorqual]. Thank you to
Heather O’Shea for sharing her good fortune of being in the right place at the
right time, with a camera.
** July is
moving along very fast, and it’s time again to remind of Nature Moncton’s Grand
Lake Meadows field trip, on July 28. There are still a few spaces open, but are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The write-up and instructions are
attached.
Nature Moncton Field Trip
Date: Saturday, July 28, 2018
Time: 8:30 am start from Moncton, or 10:00 am start at
location (for the day)
Location: Grand Lake Meadows
Leader: Gart Bishop
Gart Bishop kept a
packed house audience in awe at the photos of unique flora in the Grand Lake
Meadows area at a Nature Moncton meeting in April. The opportunity for a
hands-on visit is waiting. Explore the flora of Grand Lake Meadows on Saturday,
July 28 and get the chance to grab a handful of New Brunswick’s smallest plant.
We will see two species of poison ivy, sweet flag, silver maples, many pond
weeds, begger ticks, bryozoa, and potentially much more.
Those who are
interested in participating in this field trip are asked to register with
Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca. We
would like to arrange as much car-pooling as possible which is good for the
environment and good for socializing with fellow club members! When you register, could you also indicate whether
you would be willing to drive others OR if you need a drive just so we can
ensure we have enough vehicles.
Those who are
joining others for car-pooling and leaving from Moncton will meet in the parking
lot of the coliseum on July 28th at 8:30. Otherwise, we will all meet with Gart at Turner’s
One-stop store parking lot at 10:00 at Jemseg, located just south of the
TransCanada Highway on Route 339.
Make sure to bring
drinking water, lunch, insect repellent, raincoat if indicated, rubber boot
footwear, binoculars, and magnifying lens (if you have a pair).
Please note that
there will be a maximum of 20 participants for this trip. All are welcome, Nature Moncton member
or not.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
ALDER BORER BEETLE. JULY 15, 2018. BRIAN STONE
ALDER FLEA BEETLES. JULY 14, 2018. BRIAN STONE
ALDER FLEA BEETLES. JULY 14, 2018. BRIAN STONE
CANADA GEESE JULY 15 2018 GEORGES BRUN
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. JULY 15, 2018._ BRIAN STONE
COMMON NIGHTHAWK July 14th 2018 CARMELLA MELANSON
HARVESTMAN. JULY 14, 2018. BRIAN STONE
MINKE WHALE (SUSPECTED). JULY 13, 2018. HEATHER O'SHEA
MINKE WHALE (SUSPECTED). JULY 13, 2018. HEATHER O'SHEA
MINKE WHALE (SUSPECTED). JULY 13, 2018. HEATHER O'SHEA
MINKE WHALE (SUSPECTED). JULY 13, 2018. HEATHER O'SHEA
SOLAR HALO ( 22 DEG. ). JULY 14, 2018. BRIAN STONE
STARLING PARTIAL ALBINO (SUSPECTED) JULY 16, 2018.STERLING MARSH
STARLING PARTIAL ALBINO (SUSPECTED) JULY 15, 2018.STERLING MARSH
STARLING PARTIAL ALBINO (SUSPECTED) JULY 15, 2018.STERLING MARSH
STARLING PARTIAL ALBINO (SUSPECTED) JULY 16, 2018.STERLING MARSH
