Nature Moncton Nature News: July 11 2015

**Louise Nichols checked out her Shorebird Survey site at Ann’s Acres near Jourimain on Saturday. She spotted a small flock of approximately a dozen SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau semipalmé], so their arrival is definitely getting underway. There were also six resident WILLETS [Chevalier semipalmé], two of which expressed their displeasure at Louise’s visit by chasing her down the beach. Probably two protective parents. Louise also stopped at the Tintamarre Wildlife Area to see an AMERICAN WOODCOCK [Bécasse d'Amérique] close up, many Swallows [Hirondelles] in the new dyke area, with SAVANNAH [Bruant des prés], SWAMP [Bruant des marais], and SONG SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur] in the fields, along with BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés]. Note the female or juvenile in the background of the picture. Louise also saw one and possibly two BLACK TERNS [Guifette noire] foraging over the water near the Paunchy Lake cement marker. Also, a not easy to get over and under photo of a TWO-SPOTTED SKIPPER Butterfly [Hespérie des marais]. Note the characteristic white line at the base of the hindwing of this Skipper species.

**Aldo Dorio got a photo of a DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable] showing breeding plumage remnants at Hay Island on Thursday. This is very early for regular southward migration of this species. Dave Christie suspects it may be a failed breeder or perhaps a non-breeding first summer bird that has developed partial breeding plumage on the underparts but not the upper parts, which lack the rusty feathers of a summer adult.

**Linda Banks shares a photo of the first brilliant red Poppy [Coquelicot] to bloom in her Riverview yard.

**Brian Stone shares a few nature photos from the past days, to include a newly-fledged BLUE JAY [Geai bleu], a newly-fledged AMERICAN REDSTART Warbler [Paruline flamboyante], a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Warbler [Paruline masquée], Dot-tailed Whiteface Dragonflies [Leucorrhine mouchetée] in a mating wheel, and MULTIFLORA ROSE [Rosier multiflora] in bloom. A noticeably large area at the entrance to Bell Marsh from the corner of Bond Street has Multiflora Rose bushes. This is a very popular winter clinging fruit for fruit-eating birds.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton