** Eric Wilson comments that he has repeatedly noted ALDER FLYCATCHERS
[Moucherolle des aulnes], hearing their “free beer” calls at the Northern end of
the parking lot at 1077 Saint George Street where the Crandell Building is
located and under the power lines. This Empidonax Flycatcher is often later
among the spring migrants and the timing probably is right on.
** Anne Marsh had 10 CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d’Amérique] arrive to her
Lower Coverdale yard on Wednesday to forage on apple blossoms as they were
opening as this species often does. Anne also noted 2 ALDER FLYCATCHERS
[Moucherolle des aulnes] being very vocal in her yard area as well on
Wednesday.
** Bev Christie had Nodding Trillium burst into bloom around her home on
Wednesday to share a nice photo of this welcome spring plant. Bev also shares a
scenario she has had with Ostrich Fern. She transplanted a dozen plants to her
yard garden. They have flourished even though the site is not wet and now each
spring she enjoys a few fiddlehead meals off them, plus letting many develop
into the striking ostrich feather-like tall ferns.
** Louise Nichols leaves some observations from Wednesday. She explored the
White Birch Road after Roland Chaisson’s presentation to Nature Moncton. She
found it a very interesting spot. She got a photo of an AMERICAN BITTERN [Butor
d’Amérique] in flight after both of them surprised one another! Louise’s yard
pond is getting busy. A pair of AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d’Amérique] is back.
These have nested near the pond for several years however this year a pair of
GADWALLS [Canard chipeau] have joined them and she hopes will stay to nest.
There are many large tadpoles in the pond this year, much more numerous than
last year. There were Greenfrogs and Bullfrogs there last year but she has not
heard them vocalize yet. There are a significant number of Yellow Spotted
Salamander egg masses in the pond as well. Louise comments like several others
that she still has PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] as regular patrons. She has
never had them before remain coming into summer and it looks like they have no
plans of leaving.
** Dave Miller got better observations of the gull he felt was a common
BLACK-HEADED GULL [Mouette rieuse] in Bouctouche and now feels it was a
BONAPARTE’S GULL [Mouette de Bonaparte]. I passed the Bouctouche area on
Wednesday afternoon and spotted a flock of approximately a dozen small gulls.
They were a fit for a BONAPARTE’S GULL. I would assume these would immature
non-breeders. I stopped by briefly to check for the RUFF [Combattant varié) at
the Rotary Park, at 3pm but did not see it.
** Dave Christie comments it is pleasant to see the wild RHODORA plant
coming into bloom now, especially on roadsides. This pink flower comes into
flower before setting leaves. The SERVICEBERRY is just coming into bloom now at
Mary’s Point. It is one of the earliest shrubs to burst into white flowers and
will be among the first plants to set fruit. One of its many other common names
is SHADBUSH as it blooms as the SHAD move into the rivers on their spawning
runs.
Dave comments his area still has BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] moving through in
migration.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton