Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 12 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 12, 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)

** Gary Dupuis got an excellent photo of the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER [Paruline à gorge jaune] that has been visiting Miscou Island in the area of the lighthouse. This rare to New Brunswick warbler breeds in the southeastern U.S. It has been at Miscou for several days now and is not straying far from its favoured area near the lighthouse. With the SWAINSON'S HAWK [Buse de Swainson] not far away around the house and cottage lawns towards Lac Frye from the lighthouse, the two birds so near to each other have been a value added bonus to birders.

** David Christie reports that at least ten observers were in the Shepody/Hopewell Hill area seeking an audience with the CRESTED CARACARA [Caracara du Nord] on Wednesday and most were successful. They were seeing it in various locations, but predominantly around the road to the old sawmill.

** Ray Gauvin shares a photo of a used bird's nest, something that we start to suddenly note as the leaves begin to fall. The nest appears to be of Vireo construction with its habit of building suspended nests in the crotch of a branch and tending to ornament them with spider webs and bits of bark.

** Aldo Dorio reported yesterday that he had several EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] scouting his Neguac yard ... that number rose to twenty plus on Wednesday. Reports of these Fall flocks seem to be getting more, and larger, every Fall in the last years. It would suggest that the Eastern Bluebird population is increasing in New Brunswick.

** Syrphid flies, aka "Flower Flies", are common in New Brunswick with several species present. Their modus operandi is to act as wasp mimics in their markings. I have been noting one species in a salt marsh area near Cape Enrage that is small, under 10 mm, in surprisingly numerous, and was very hard to catch a specimen. A photo is attached of one caught. No common name for it could be found. It is obviously very hardy as after being refrigerated for a day for a photo it very promptly flew off.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton