** A very special thank-you to workshop coordinator Louise Nichols for
arranging an intertidal workshop and field trip with Alain Clavette on Sunday.
Participants were in for a real treat, when Alain shared his contagious
enthusiasm and thorough knowledge of the intertidal community of the Bay of
Fundy for a few hours at the Tankville School. Then the group went to Cannontown
Beach at Fundy National Park, timed to coincide with one of the lowest tides of
the year, a first-hand experience to see much of what Alain had described so
well. Alain is an incredible guide and all participants want to hold Alain to
his promise for a repeat visit to Cannontown Beach in August, to see the
seasonal changes.
** Carol Christopher had a very bright male PALM WARBLER [Paruline à
couronne rousse] in her feeder yard the last few days and got nice photos of
it.
** The Hampton sewage lagoon area is a popular site for TURKEY VULTURE
[Urubu à tête rouge] sightings. One of the group there at the moment is tagged
on the right wing, with the letters HTP, and folks are hoping to get whatever
information that may indicate. On Sunday, Richard Blacquiere got photos of what
the wing tag looks like.
** Anne Marsch had BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS [Vacher à tête brune] arrive in
her Lower Coverdale yard and got a photo of them both together, to show the
conservatively dressed female that sometimes fools folks when it arrives at
feeders.
** Dave Miller spotted a PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] carrying deer hair
in its beak in his Salisbury yard on Sunday, suggesting that at least some of
the siskin invasion we had this winter may be planning to stay.
** Doreen Rossiter comments on a very increased number of NORTHERN
FLICKERS [Pic flamboyant] at the moment. She is usually able to see 15 to 20 at
any one time around her yard. One female has taken a strong interest in the suet
feeder, but none of the others have. She has a male RING-NECKED PHEASANT [Faisan
de Colchide] that is taking spring all too seriously. It has a small harem of
two females, but Doreen says that it goes from one lower house window to
another, fighting with his reflection, and has been crowing from dawn until
dusk, making the neighbourhood hope that his needs are soon met.
** Dave Christie noted two PALM WARBLERS [Paruline à couronne rousse]
feeding in grasses along the Mary's Point marsh on Sunday. Five SAVANNAH
SPARROWS [Bruant des prés] were in the same area.
** Another WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW [Bruant à couronne blanche] reporting in.
Shannon Inman had one arrive in her Buchanan Street, Riverside-Albert, feeder
yard on Sunday, and an EASTERN PHOEBE [Moucherolle phébi] was also there.
** Bob Betts says that his feeders that he was away from for a few months
over the winter remain still covered with snow. However, some temporary feeders
put in place sure reminded the area’s birds there was still a buffet there, as
almost every expected species has paid visits in surprising numbers, including
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal], FOX SPARROW [Bruant fauve], and AMERICAN
ROBINS [Merle d’Amérique].
** The April meeting of Nature Moncton will take place tomorrow night,
Tuesday, April 21. The special guest will be Andrew Boghen, who will give a
presentation about parasites that will show that there are a few very different
ways to look at this community in Mother Nature’s world.
Details:
Nature Moncton April 2015 Meeting
Tuesday, April 21 at 7.00 PM
Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge
Topic: A Parasitic Life Style – No Apologies Necessary
Presenter – Andrew Boghen
Parasites are organisms that live in or on other organisms and account for
more than 50% of all the animals on earth. For the most part, they are perceived
as unwelcome guests whose numbers range from several hundred to millions of
organisms per host. They conjure up ideas of freeloaders – wriggly worms, creepy
insects, slimy amoebae that more often than not cause great havoc if not
outright death.
There is, however, increasing evidence that parasites also have a good
side. For example, they have the capacity to improve the taste of certain foods
and can impact positively on failing immune systems. More important, they
represent an integral part of the ecosystem, ensuring stability and playing a
significant role in the evolutionary process of living organisms.
It is their extraordinarily diverse adaptations, including tapping into
their host’s biological systems and altering the latter’s behaviour for their
own ends that make them such interesting subjects. It is also not surprising
that they have gained amour and respect by many for their unparalleled
craftiness and clever talents in ensuring their unique way of life. Their bible
is no other than the book of evolution and to this end they have, and remain,
first class students.
The talk will focus on some of the…
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
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