Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 25 2015

** Susan Richards had a visit from a COMMON WOOD NYMPH butterfly [Satyre des prés) and a BLACK SWALLOWTAIL butterfly [Papillon du céleri] to her Taylor Village yard on Monday. I'd assume the fresh looking Black Swallowtail is from a second brood of the season.

** LIVE-FOREVER is a plant in the Sedum family we see blooming at the moment. There is a cultivated form that has escaped into the wild; however there is a wild Live-forever as well blooming at the moment. Aldo Dorio shares a photo that from the leaf appears to be the wild version.

** A few photos went out yesterday labeled as a juvenile Nelson’s Sparrow. Dave Christie points out that it is actually a female BOBOLINK [Goglu des prés]. Dave points out the beak which is too heavy for a Nelson’s Sparrow and also to take note of the prominent black streaks on the sides. The correctly labeled photos are re-attached today to take note of those features. Ironically, the Riverview Marsh has resident Nelson Sparrows but Bobolinks would not be particularly expected to be there. However, one was there for sure, either post-breeding or in migration; another nice learning experience !

** Our 3 native TRILLIUMS [trilles] produce a red berry housing their seeds that is seen at the moment. There were many in fruit at Ayers Lake on Saturday. A PAINTED TRILLIUM {trille ondulé] photo with its smooth berry is attached. Nodding Trillium [trille penché] was not seen but its berry is also red, but ridged.

** Also a photo of one of the several male RUDDY DUCKS [Érismature rousse] at the Arthur Street Lagoon in Memramcook last week. The plumage is still quite bright but the bright blue bill is fading.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton