Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 16 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Oct. 16, 2017 (Monday)

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

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** Following Kathy Popma's report, Louise Nichols visited the Tantramar mudflats behind the Sackville town garage on Sunday. She found a different combination of shorebirds from what Kathy reported, suggesting that shorebird diversity in that area is good. One flock contained several BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS [Pluvier argenté], but also 8 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à croupion blanc] and several DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable]. Then a flock of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS [Pluvier semipalmé] flew in. Louise’s photos show some nice identification features. The Black-bellied Plovers are now in basic or juvenile plumage. One photo shows a few White-rumped Sandpipers with a Dunlin beside them, to show the larger size of the Dunlin and the longer primary projection of the White-rumped Sandpiper. The same feature shows nicely in a group photo of White-rumps, even though a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER [Bécasseau semipalmé] pops in with them to show how easy it can be to confuse the two. Some YELLOWLEGS were foraging as well, one very seriously in one photo.

** Carmella Melanson shares a great flight shot of the Miscou Island SWAINSON’S HAWK [Buse de Swainson] to help us get familiar with the possibility of this species in New Brunswick, with a few in the province recently.

** We are all continuing to enjoy the variety of shorebirds that are still with us at the moment. Dave Christie checked the Mary’s Point beach after high tide on Sunday to find a pleasant diversity. Among a flock of approximately 300 shorebirds, where he had been seeing none or only a few in recent days, he tallied 100 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS [Pluvier argenté], 75 SANDERLINGS [Bécasseau sanderling], a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS [Pluvier semipalmé], 15-20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à croupion blanc], 25 DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable], and was pleased to see 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS [Barge hudsonienne], the first he has seen there this year. The Hudsonian Godwit seems to be having a banner year, with many observations in different locations, with higher numbers in some places than in recent years.

Dave stopped by the Cape Enrage beach on Sunday afternoon. Weather conditions were much better than on Saturday, but he did not locate the SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER [Tyran à longue queue] that had been there earlier.

Dave also comments on approximately 20 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] that made a major noisy ruckus, non-stop for about 5 minutes, in trees near his home. He checked for the cause of their frustration, for something that was present that they were mobbing. Nothing was found and then they all decided that no threat was about and descended upon his sunflower seed feeders.

** I was pleased to join several others who were watching the western WILLET [Chevalier semipalmé] in Cocagne on Sunday. It was recently spotted there by Stu Tingley. It may have a similar profile to our eastern Willet but sure stands out with its much lighter plumage tones. It’s a good bird to get to see as it is likely that there will/have been other visits of a western sandpiper, and more of us will be able to pick them out among other shorebirds. It seems to enjoy mud crabs, and it’s interesting to compare it to its yellowleg companions.

** The October NATURE MONCTON MEETING will take place at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday night, Oct. 17, at the Mapleton Rotary pavilion, across from Cabela’s. The main presenter, Wayne Harrington will outline the various walking trails in the city area. The write-up is attached. The second half of the meeting will be reserved as usual for news of any upcoming activities, and short presentations from members or guests of any past or upcoming items they are willing to share.

NATURE MONCTON OCTOBER Presentation.

October 17, 2017 at 7pm
Location: Mapleton Park Lodge, off Cabela Dr.
Presenter: Wayne Harrigan.
Topic: The Greater Moncton Walking Group

The Greater Moncton Walking Group has been around since October 2005. It started because walking in the fresh air is healthy and pleasant and the bonus is the added fun of walking regularly with others. Usually the walks last about 60 minutes, but that's flexible.
Who participates? Everyone is welcome. Participants walk at their own rate and at their own risk.
For this presentation, Wayne Harrigan will talk about the various trails in Moncton used by the walking group when they take their walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am. Be sure to attend if you want to learn more about this group and more about walking opportunities in the Greater Moncton area.

**If you want to know where the group is walking at any time, just phone Wayne Harrigan at 386-2187 or e-mail wbharrig@nb.sympatico.ca

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton