Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 14 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, November, 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)

** Action central on Monday was on Route 960, turning right onto 960 at end of the Immigrant Rd. at Cape Tormentine where many birders gathered for an audience with a male SUMMER TANAGER [Tangara vermillon], a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER [Paruline à gorge jaune], a WESTERN KINGBIRD [Tyran de l'Ouest], a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER [Gobemoucheron gris-bleu] and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT [Paruline polyglotte]. Not everyone got to see all five, especially the normally skulky Yellow-breasted Chat. The adult, male Summer Tanager stays red all year long with the female ( a photo of which is attached from when one that visited Jean-Paul and Stella Leblanc in Bouctouche recently) being very different with an olive, mustard plumage.

They breed to the south of us across the southern U.S. and winter in Mexico and farther south, so are definitely out of their territory. The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds in the south-eastern U.S. and winters farther south. The Yellow-breasted Chat breeds across most of the U.S. and winters father south also. The Western Kingbird breeds in the western half of the U.S., while the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher breeds across most of the U.S. and winters farther south so all are visitors that are off course. Photos are attached of all but the Yellow-breasted Chat.

** Gary Dupuis had photographed a TROPICAL KINGBIRD [Tyran mélancolique] in the area a few days ago and anticipation built when the Western Kingbird was spotted that it could be this rare-to-New Brunswick Tropical Kingbird relocated that was seen there earlier. Carmella Melanson got some great photos that showed that this bird which was spotted on Monday was actually a Western Kingbird. Carmella's photo A shows the smaller bill of the Western Kingbird vs the Tropical Kingbird. Photo B shows it fly catching and photo C shows the white tail edges which are not present in the Tropical Kingbird. This means that the Tropical Kingbird, if still in the area, has not been relocated.

** The DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable] is a late lingering shorebird in New Brunswick. Aldo Dorio was only able to locate one only at Hay Island on Monday to suggest that they are moving south.

** I was recently in the southern U.S. and it was pleasant to see a significant number of MONARCH BUTTERFLIES [Monarque] in the Tampa and Key West areas. I didn't get any photos as they were all strongly flying on their migration to Mexico.

** New Brunswick farmer Mike Dickinson will make a delivery of black oil sunflower seeds to the Nature Moncton meeting next week, Tuesday, Nov. the 21st. The price remains the same at $15.00 for a 15 Kg bag. There are 80 bags reserved, but any last minute orders can still be made with Dale Gaskin at 734-2197. Be there early on meeting night to pick up your order. This is not a Nature Moncton fundraiser but is support for a New Brunswick farmer with less carbon footprint in delivery, and all thanks to Dale Gaskin for making all the arrangements.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton