** A very interesting observation from Paul Langelaan from Second North
River: he saw an INDIGO BUNTING [Passerin indigo] in a cutover below one of his
hay fields. Paul saw an Indigo Bunting at the same spot last year, and he knew
it stayed in that area for an extended period and wondered about the possibility
of nesting. He now wonders if it may be the return of the same bird, a rather
suggestive scenario.
** Reports of the last few days surely suggest a wave in of CEDAR WAXWINGS
[Jaseur d'Amérique]. Dale Gaskin counted 32+ on Thursday morning, all feasting
on the petals of a blooming apple tree. Dale also has a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
[Épervier brun] and has some concern for the safety of the local EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] that have returned. The hawk is very
persistently staying right in the area.
** Brian Stone got some action photos in Mapleton Park. A BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE [Mésange à tête noire] was attending a nest cavity, two views of a
male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT warbler [Paruline masque], a NORTHERN PARULA warbler
[Paruline à collier], a male YELLOW WARBLER [Paruline jaune], a HORSETAIL plant
emerged, and a striking photo of a male AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune]
that struck a window but was able to fly off to continue its day after a bit of
TLC from Brian.
** Doreen Rossiter was pleased to have a WILSON'S WARBLER [Paruline à
calotte noire] visit her Alma yard on Thursday. It was a special warbler for
her as the last one to visit her yard was May of 1993.
** Aldo Dorio got a photo of a SHORT-TAILED WEASEL [Belette à courte queue]
in its summer pelage at Hay Island Nature Park on Thursday. The change from
winter white surely provides it with more camouflage against the brown
background.
Curt Nason shares a sky write-up for this week. Thank you Curt.
STELLARIUM SKY IMAGE VIA CURT NASON
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, May 30 – June 6
With brilliant Venus lining up this week with Pollux and Castor, the Gemini Twins, we are looking at the top of the Winter Circle or Hexagon, depending on whether you prefer curves or angles. The two stars are the 17th and 24th brightest in the sky, although seven of the top 25 brightest are too far south to be seen from New Brunswick. To their lower right is Capella, the sixth brightest, and number eight is Procyon to their lower left. Procyon is in the constellation Canis Minor the Little Dog, the smaller of Orion’s two canine companions.
To the upper left of Jupiter, Leo the Lion angles downward as if it is running downhill. The bright star Regulus, number 22 on the list, is at the heart of the lion and it anchors a backwards question mark of stars that form its mane. A trio of stars form the rear haunches and tail. Perhaps Leo is running from Hercules. In mythology, the fierce lion with an impenetrable hide killed many people in the hills of Nemea. Hercules strangled the beast to complete the first of his twelve labours. The constellation of Hercules is centered by a trapezoid of stars two-thirds of the way from Arcturus (#4 brightest star) to Vega (#5).
This Week in the Solar System
Today sunrise in Moncton was at 5:33 am and sunset will occur at 8:59 pm, giving 15 hours, 26 minutes of daylight. Next Saturday the Sun will rise about four minutes earlier and set six minutes later, giving 15 hours, 36 minutes of daylight. That is 10 minutes more daylight than today, but the increase is less than it was over this past week. The Sun is slowing its northern approach as it nears solstice.
The Moon is full on Monday, June 1. Traditional names for the Full Moon in June are the Rose, Flower or Strawberry Moon, but I prefer one that is often heard in another context in June: the Honey Moon.
Mercury is in inferior conjunction today, passing between Earth and the Sun. In a couple of weeks it will be visible in the very early morning eastern sky.
Venus is one week from reaching its greatest elongation from the Sun. If the sky is cloudless, try to locate Venus in binoculars before sunset and then try without the binoculars. It is easy once your eyes adjust, especially if the Sun is blocked by a tree or building. On Tuesday, June 2, Venus forms an impressive line with stars Pollux and Castor to its right.
Mars is too low to be seen in the evening, and it passes behind the Sun in mid-June.
Jupiter crosses the astronomical boundary from Cancer into Leo next Saturday, as good excuse as any to spend the day “lion” in the sun. If you are successful in detecting Venus naked eye before sunset, try your luck with Jupiter.
Saturn is higher in the southeast each evening after sunset. Its rings are at their best viewing in a decade so give them a try with your spotting scope.
Do you remember Comet Lovejoy, which was seen easily with binoculars in January? You might be able to see it this weekend with a spotting scope as a faint blob of light just above Polaris, the North Star.
With brilliant Venus lining up this week with Pollux and Castor, the Gemini Twins, we are looking at the top of the Winter Circle or Hexagon, depending on whether you prefer curves or angles. The two stars are the 17th and 24th brightest in the sky, although seven of the top 25 brightest are too far south to be seen from New Brunswick. To their lower right is Capella, the sixth brightest, and number eight is Procyon to their lower left. Procyon is in the constellation Canis Minor the Little Dog, the smaller of Orion’s two canine companions.
To the upper left of Jupiter, Leo the Lion angles downward as if it is running downhill. The bright star Regulus, number 22 on the list, is at the heart of the lion and it anchors a backwards question mark of stars that form its mane. A trio of stars form the rear haunches and tail. Perhaps Leo is running from Hercules. In mythology, the fierce lion with an impenetrable hide killed many people in the hills of Nemea. Hercules strangled the beast to complete the first of his twelve labours. The constellation of Hercules is centered by a trapezoid of stars two-thirds of the way from Arcturus (#4 brightest star) to Vega (#5).
This Week in the Solar System
Today sunrise in Moncton was at 5:33 am and sunset will occur at 8:59 pm, giving 15 hours, 26 minutes of daylight. Next Saturday the Sun will rise about four minutes earlier and set six minutes later, giving 15 hours, 36 minutes of daylight. That is 10 minutes more daylight than today, but the increase is less than it was over this past week. The Sun is slowing its northern approach as it nears solstice.
The Moon is full on Monday, June 1. Traditional names for the Full Moon in June are the Rose, Flower or Strawberry Moon, but I prefer one that is often heard in another context in June: the Honey Moon.
Mercury is in inferior conjunction today, passing between Earth and the Sun. In a couple of weeks it will be visible in the very early morning eastern sky.
Venus is one week from reaching its greatest elongation from the Sun. If the sky is cloudless, try to locate Venus in binoculars before sunset and then try without the binoculars. It is easy once your eyes adjust, especially if the Sun is blocked by a tree or building. On Tuesday, June 2, Venus forms an impressive line with stars Pollux and Castor to its right.
Mars is too low to be seen in the evening, and it passes behind the Sun in mid-June.
Jupiter crosses the astronomical boundary from Cancer into Leo next Saturday, as good excuse as any to spend the day “lion” in the sun. If you are successful in detecting Venus naked eye before sunset, try your luck with Jupiter.
Saturn is higher in the southeast each evening after sunset. Its rings are at their best viewing in a decade so give them a try with your spotting scope.
Do you remember Comet Lovejoy, which was seen easily with binoculars in January? You might be able to see it this weekend with a spotting scope as a faint blob of light just above Polaris, the North Star.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 03. MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE AT NEST HOLE. MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE AT NEST HOLE. MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (MALE). MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (MALE). MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
HORSETAIL. MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
NORTHERN PARULA. MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
WEASEL.MAY 28, 2015.ALDO DORIO
YELLOW WARBLER (MALE). MAY 27, 2015. BRIAN STONE
