Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 19 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 19, 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)

** Leon Gagnon reports that he has not seen the Fork-tailed Flycatcher in the Wilson Point area of Miscou Island as he did several times recently and he is assuming that it has departed the area. On October 06 Leon took a photo of a RAZORBILL [Petit Pingouin], appearing to be an immature bird. He noted several of them with a group of Loons off Wilson's Point.

** After yesterday's comments on the Merlin subduing the woodpecker Gilles Bourque passes on some interesting observations from Ron Leger. Ron works at Ivan's Camera on St. George St. and he has seen a Merlin take down a Pigeon on two occasions and will work on consuming its prey while ignoring people walking by on the sidewalk. The Merlin is one bold, fearless and effective small raptor at an average length of twelve inches that often takes its prey in flight with a sudden burst of speed rather than diving.

** Ray Gauvin made a run out the Pine Glen Rd., Parkindale and the Caledonia Mountain to observe the awesome Fall display in that area at the moment and leaves some photos. He stopped by the Salem covered bridge where he had seen incredible numbers of ASIAN MULTICOLORED LADY BEETLES two days before but on Tuesday there was not a single one to be seen. He was surprised that so many could leave in such a short time.

** Aldo Dorio is continuing to see WILSON’S SNIPE [Bécassine de Wilson] at Hay Island stealthily moving about the marsh grass, often at salt water pool edges.

** Brian Stone got some photos of an immature DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT [Cormoran à aigrettes] on Tuesday in the Hillsborough area. Note that the chest and neck is completely pale while that of the immature Great Cormorant has an obviously streaked brown neck area, almost bib-like. The Double-crested Cormorant is by far the most common, but some Great Cormorants are on our coastline and can be easily passed off as Double-crested Cormorants by many of us.

** The second half of the Nature Moncton meeting nights are set aside for members or guests to give presentations of experiences or photographic events that they have experienced. Start now to think of preparing something for the November meeting. There will also be a "show-and-tell" table at the front of the room. Bring in anything you have found of interest to share with the group, and again begin thinking of that right now. Things like abandoned bird's nests, mushrooms, plants, berries, bugs, etc. The list is limitless. Lets get this project underway with more activity at the November meeting night.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton