Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 10 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 10, 2017 ( Tuesday )

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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)

** David Christie reports that he was in the Shepody area on Sunday at approximately 2:15 pm. and saw a car parked down the old mill road. He went to check to see if they were looking at the CRESTED CARACARA [Caracara du Nord] and indeed Monique Leblanc was watching the bird perched on a post there. They were then treated to a flight display that David has not seen the bird do before. It headed into the very strong wind of that day and then would drop to near field level and back up and down again repeatedly several times before landing in a field behind a business nearby where a new building is being built and then it disappeared. David also reports that he had a second hand report that Charles Gaudet saw it on Monday afternoon in the area just west of civic number 5133 so it is still in the area.

** Louise Nichols leaves a nice update of activity in the lagoon behind the industrial garage in Sackville as well as the Sackville Waterfowl Park. At the lagoon the waterfowl there were dominated by at least 150 NORTHERN SHOVELER [Canard souchet] ducks. They were actively feeding in tight circles, a habit this species is noted for. There were also some RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier], GREEN-WINGED TEALS [Sarcelle d'hiver] and MALLARD [Canard colvert] ducks. Louise also got a photo, a fall issue photo, of a NELSON'S SPARROW [Bruant de Nelson] on a wire near the lagoon. We are suspecting through some guide comparisons that this is an adult bird.

The Sackville Waterfowl Park has lots of waterfowl at the moment where the dominant species are GADWALL [Canard chipeau]and AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique]. The Gadwall is a species that has increased in numbers over the past several years. There were also Ring-necked Ducks and Mallards there. The larger presence of Northern Shovelers on the lagoon than at the waterfowl park would suggest the biomass in the lagoon is obviously more suited to the Shovelers savor, and/or possibly better suited to their method of feeding.

There has been a male EURASIAN WIGEON [Canard siffleur] at the Sackville Waterfowl Park for some time. Louise got a photo that shows it in molt. It tends to be with a female that Louise got a photo of as well, with the usual challenge of deciding if it is a female American or Eurasian Wigeon which is especially more challenging at this time of year. If this pair remains together it could be interesting to watch as the female does seem to have a little contrast between neck and breast colour as well as the head appearing more brown toned to suggest the possibility of a female Eurasian.

As for shorebirds at the Sackville Waterfowl Park, GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] and LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit Chevalier] were present but no other species were noted.

** Dale Gaskin has been in contact with farmer Mike Dickinson and he will be able to again deliver a truckload of black oil sunflower seeds to the Nature Moncton meeting night in either October or November depending on the harvest and drying times. Last year it was at the November meeting. The price remains the same as it has been for several years at $15.00 for a 15Kg bag. Foe anyone who wishes to renew their order please leave your name, telephone number and the number of bags you would like with Dale Gaskin at 734-2197 on voice mail if no answer. This project is not a Nature Moncton fund raiser but is in support of a New Brunswick farmer as well as being environmentally beneficial by getting a local supply.

** John Filliter has a stand of the Chicory plant in his Cap Brule yard and he is noting that AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] are very attracted to it to forage on its seeds.

** Susan Richards got a photo of a group of SURF SCOTERS [Macreuse à front blanc] at Anthony Beach Park at Noel Shore in Nova Scotia, just across the Bay of Fundy from new Brunswick. The adult males are already in their colorful breeding plumage.

** The Fall color show is at its prime and Albert Co. may be among the best places to appreciate it. I understand that we may have one of the best displays of Fall foliage color in North America right now right here in New Brunswick. Ray Gauvin photographed some on Sunday.

** The HUDSONIAN GODWIT [Barge hudsonienne] group were still enjoying their stay at the Hay Island site on Sunday. Aldo Dorio took a photo of one enjoying a contented looking scratch.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton