Nature Moncton Nature News: May 28 2015

** 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@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton