Nature Moncton Nature News: June 5 2015

** Anne Marsch and Jane Wood had a great day in Hillsborough on Thursday. In the area of the old gypsum silos, they found 4 to 6 BLACK SWALLOWTAIL [Papillon du céleri] butterflies and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER [Chevalier solitaire] was seen near the spillway. On the road to Grey's Island Cemetery, they saw BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] and a Groundhog as well as many other birds species.

** Barb Sears who lives at 129 Fairfield Rd. in Sackville photographed an adult SANDHILL CRANE [Grue du Canada] in a field behind her house on May 20th. I don't recall other reports in the area around that time. She has not seen it since, but the expanse of the Tantramar Marsh and other great habitat is not far away, and may be waiting to greet the Festival of Nature this weekend in Sackville.

** Dave Christie heard his first NELSON'S SPARROW [Bruant de Nelson] of the season singing at the edge of a salt marsh at Mary's Point on Thursday. He also heard his first EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE [Pioui de l'Est] in woods west of his house. Both of these species are among the later spring arrivals.

** Jules Cormier heard two BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS [Coulicou à bec noir] vocalizing in the Belliveau Village area on Thursday. He has seen this species at the same site before. I hope they find the Eastern Tent Caterpillars that are doing their thing at the moment.

** Brian Stone and I paid a visit to the Alder-Willow growth under the power lines by the Crandall building on St. George Blvd. on Thursday morning with ALDER FLYCATCHERS [Moucherolle des aulnes] in mind as Eric Wilson reported them there last week. We found some, readily recognized by their calls; however, in true Alder Flycatcher fashion, they were very elusive about showing themselves. Brian did get some photos from different angles of some of them. One of the many YELLOW WARBLERS [Paruline jaune] that were more than willing to be photographed is added.

** Brian also visited Mapleton Park on Thursday to find and photograph an American Lady butterfly [Vanesse de Virgnie], a AZURE butterfly [Azur printanier], CALLIGRAPHY BEETLES, a young MALLARD [Canard colvert] duckling, a SIX-SPOTTED TIGER BEETLE, a female YELLOW WARBLER [Paruline jaune] and more. It seems like everything and everybody enjoyed the pleasant sun of Thursday.

** Aldo Dorio photographed a SWAINSON'S THRUSH and a female AMERICAN REDSTART [Paruline flamboyante] warbler at Hay Island Nature Park.

** To correct a comment made on yesterday's edition, the CRESTED CARACARA [Caracara du nord] found in 2003 was indeed the first reported one in New Brunswick; however, the last one reported in New Brunswick was one seen briefly and photographed at Miramichi in April of 2014.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton