Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 10 2015

** Louise Nichols dropped by the Sackville Waterfowl Park on Monday afternoon. The duck selection was predominantly AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d’Amérique] and GADWALLS [Canard chipeau] along with NORTHERN SHOVELERS [Canard souchet], MALLARDS [Canard colvert], RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier], and a female HOODED MERGANSER [Harle couronné]. However, the prize catch of the day was 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS [Quiscale rouilleux] in winter plumage that were foraging in Mountain Ash berries. Louise got nice photos from different angles.

** Dave Reade shares some very interesting photos of 3 WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie]he photographed from his Caissie Cape home recently. Two of the deer appear identically piebald with the 3rd in expected doe pelage. It is assumed this is a doe with 2 young of the year. The three seemed similar in size which could be the case if the young were born in early spring. It is also assumed that the 2 young of the year are identical twins as the markings seem identical showing the heads as normally coloured with the dark markings similarly placed. The dark markings appearing more delineated for some reason that most piebald specimens; however, like a partial albino, each occurrence is a unique original, differing in pattern. I’m wondering if this rule would apply to identical twins. This interpretation is very open to comment or correction.

** Brian Stone and I made a visit to the FRANKLIN'S GULL [Mouette de Franklin] site at Ste-Marie-de-Kent on Monday. We found the bird flying over the plowed field where it was originally found behind an adjacent civic number 2812 Route 515. We were able to watch it for some time along with several others who joined in later in the day. It was constantly on the wing while we were there. Brian was able to get some flight shots that showed the black tail band of immaturity and the distinct white eye crescents. There were a large number of RING-BILLED GULLS [Goéland à bec cerclé] in the area which will be migrating southerly over the next month. Only 1 young of the year and 1 first winter plumage Ring-Billed Gull were noted; all the rest appeared to be adult plumage. We also found a lone BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argenté] in a field by itself. Brian got a photo of an adult Ring-Billed Gull in flight to nicely show the wing primary feather tip windows, the placement of which can be very useful in gull identification. He also got a photo of a standing first winter plumage Ring-Billed Gull which shows some of the features of that stage.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton