July 20 2015

**   Dave Christie points out that the Lars Larsen Marsh [at Mary's Point] has been a productive nursery this summer. July 11-13 he noted a female AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique] with 8 young that quickly scooted into the cat-tails whenever anyone stopped. The same group was down to 6 young on July 18-19. He spotted a female NORTHERN SHOVELER [Canard souchet] with 10 ducklings in tow from Friday through Sunday, July 17-19. Those young are getting large enough to be recognized as Shovelers by their long, broad bills. Earlier in July, Dave noted families of MALLARD [Canard colvert], AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Canard noir], BLUE-WINGED TEAL [Sarcelle à ailes bleues] and RING-NECKED DUCK [Fuligule à collier], so a good variety and numbers.

    Some shorebirds are coming to the beach at Mary's Point at high tide but they are still low in numbers, noting 16 on Wednesday the 15th, being 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS [Pluvier semipalmé] and the others suspected to be SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau semipalmé].

**  It’s that time of year when we often see NORTHERN FLICKERS [Pic flamboyant] seeking ants on lawns. Brian Stone got photos of some doing just that on his Moncton lawn, as well as a young-of-the-year AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] surveying its new world.

**  Louise Nichols got a photo of a day-flying clearwing moth on Friday. She felt it had a different appearance from the Hummingbird Clearwing [Sphinx colibri]. It may indeed be that species, but could also be the less common SLENDER CLEARWING [Sphinx gracieux] moth. It appears not to be a Snowberry Clearwing [Sphinx du chèvrefeuille]. As is often the case, clear photos of the clearwings are hard to get. With any differently appearing suspects, one should always try for a photograph.

**  There have been few feeder reports coming in, so I will update on our own urban Moncton feeder yard. Two pairs of adult HOUSE FINCHES [Roselin familier] have brought broods that appear as if most must have survived to make their numbers equal to those of the AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] troop. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE [Mésange à tête noire] numbers, assumed to be mostly fledglings, have swelled noticeably and are keeping the peanut butter bar well-attended, in combination with a pair of DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur] that have not yet brought youngsters. Many of the expected species are irregular, but no ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS [Cardinal à poitrine rose]. 

 

 

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca 
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton 

 

AMERICAN ROBIN (YOUNG-OF-THE-YEAR). JULY 18, 2015. BRIAN STONE

CLEARWING MOTH. LOUISE NICHOLS. JULY 17, 2015

NORTHERN FLICKER (MALE). JULY 18, 2015. BRIAN STONE

NORTHERN FLICKER (MALE). JULY 18, 2015. BRIAN STONE