Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 14 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, September 14, 2017 ( Thursday )

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

** Seeing the reports from Greenlaw Mountain in the last few days and the number of raptors being reported, Ron Steeves and a friend took a journey down to New Horton and spent a few hours at the New Horton Church on Tuesday. It was an indescribable day in Albert County, the weather was perfect with slight winds and it seems that some of the locals were glad to see them, reminding them there must be some birds moving. They spent five plus hours combing the skies, the air was literally full of insects, large and small bees of several different sizes and shapes and dragonflies of all sizes and colours. There was practically no bird migration that they could see. The only things that they thought might be migrating was one OSPREY [Balbuzard pêcheur], two BROAD-WINGED HAWKS [Petite Buse], one PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] and one SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun]. The Eagles seen were thought to be locals and surprisingly there were no Turkey Vultures. The birds weren't plentiful, but it was a day to remember.

** Judy Pellerin had a GREAT EGRET [Grande Aigrette] that stayed with her in the marsh behind her Cap Brule home for two months earlier in the season, then suddenly departed and was not seen for the whole month of August, however on Wednesday assumedly the same bird arrived back and was looking like it had never left.

** The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are in their last expected days with us for the season. David Christie reports that Wednesday, Sept. the 13th, was his first day that he did not see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at his feeder. There was one that fed heavily on Tuesday. David comments on noting a MONARCH BUTTERFLY [Monarque] over the Shepody marsh on Wednesday. Observing many Monarchs this past season, and continuing to as they make their final migration towards Mexico to overwinter, has been a very welcome scenario for many folks. It is looking great this season, so far, for this declining species.

** Brian Stone adds two more dragonflies he photographed on Monday in Mapleton Park. A SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK and a WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK. Brian also observed a SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH CATERPILLAR in his Moncton Yard on Wednesday. This caterpillar favours foraging on Alders and Willows but will go to deciduous trees as well. Some mushrooms were also popping up in his lawn. They have the appearance of Fairy Ring Mushrooms noting the very wide-apart gills, and Brian did a spore print that turned out to be white which is consistent with this species.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton