Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 17, 2015

**Dave Christie leaves some interesting observations from the Mary’s Point area on Sunday. John Inman had noted a wave of Warblers [Paruline] passing through his yard at 225 Mary’s Point Road on Sunday morning, and still had two RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis] attending. Dave took a long hike around Mary’s Point on Sunday. He did note three flocks of 200-300 Shorebirds [Oiseau de rivage] at three areas on that route. Dave also noted the HEMLOCK LOOPER MOTH [Arpenteuse de la pruche] as noticeably present over the past 1-2 weeks around his house and windows, and when on the outer island of the Point noted a lot of Hemlock Loopers in that area. On Sunday, John Inman had two BALTIMORE ORIOLES [Oriole de Baltimore], appearing both to be juvenile, drop by. Dave also comments that Sunday was the first day that he noted SANDERLINGS [Bécasseau sanderling] were the most numerous shorebirds on the beach at Mary’s Point, numbering 75.

**Wendy Sullivan comments on flocks of Grackles [Quiscale] night-roosting in the Century Drive area of Moncton, to make quite a commotion, not impressing some residents. From our vantage on Mount Royal Boulevard, we’ve noted Starling [Étourneau] flocks doing this activity near dusk, starting about ten days ago, and in recent days COMMON GRACKLES [Quiscale bronzé] doing the same. Some of the flocks can be quite large, and can be seen flying over, then very suddenly dropping into a tall tree of their choice for the night, with other flocks sometimes joining them. The Blackbirds will soon be continuing their migration southerly. I rather wish the Starlings would do the same!

**Brian Stone and I made a run into the Cape Enrage-Waterside area on Wednesday. The GREAT EGRET [Grande Aigrette] continues its presence at the western end of Waterside Marsh in the pond in front of the gift shop there. It fished the pond for a time, and then very cooperatively flew up to a tall Spruce [Épinette] tree beside the road, casually perching on one leg for some cooperative photography. It was there surveying its domain as we left. A SOLITARY SANDPIPER [Chevalier solitaire] was spotted on a small stream along a woods road. It was getting dusky and shaded, but Brian did get documentary photos. A familiar birder was spotted with birding scopes aimed from the yard of the New Horton Church Hawk Watch spot. The hawk tally was low as of noon, but that may have changed in the afternoon. A lot of photos have not been processed yet from yesterday that included some fall Warblers [Paruline] on the move that will need closer reviews, as well as several Dragonflies [Libellule], most suspected to be Darners [Aeschne], that were very active. Two BROAD-WINGED HAWKS [Petite Buse] were noted, as well as NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard Saint-Martin]. More photos from this trip will follow over coming days.

**The CEDAR WAXWING [Jaseur d'Amérique] is one of our latest-nesting summer New Brunswick bird residents. It is very common now to see parents delivering food to the very differently plumaged young of the year. A photo of that scenario from Sunday is attached.

**Susan Richards dropped off three plump, handsome BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY caterpillars [Chenille du Papillon du céleri] to me on Wednesday. They have been placed in an enclosure with a pot of Parsley [Persil] and I expect they will soon go into the chrysalis stage to be kept protected for the winter, to be released next Spring to continue their mission.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton