Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 29 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Jan. 29, 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)

** Gabriel Gallant was surprised to come across several small mushrooms, appearing fresh, near his Sainte-Marie-de-Kent home on Sunday. They appear to be WAXY CAPS (Hygrophorus), which is a late-fall appearing genus. It has to assumed these mushrooms emerged late and were suddenly fast frozen and that a layer of snow kept them looking as fresh as Gabriel’s photos show. It is hard to be sure of the species from photos without a spore print, which I suspect could not be achieved with frozen specimens.

** Brian Stone got several interesting photos during an unsuccessful vigil for the KELP GULL [Goéland dominicain] in Halifax and area on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, One lone DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable] was actively feeding among the gulls. It was a good opportunity for gull observations. A 1st-winter GLAUCOUS GULL [Goéland bourgmestre] posed beside a 1st-winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL [Goéland marin] to give a nice size comparison. The first winter Great-black Gull has an all dark bill while the 1st winter Glaucous Gull has the apex third black, as it does in its second winter as well. Several BLACK-HEADED GULLS [Mouette rieuse] were flying about the area. 200-300 ICELAND GULLS [Goéland arctique] were present in the general area . There were many RING-BILLED GULLS [Goéland à bec cerclé] that we don’t tend to see overwintering in the Moncton area. BLACK GUILLEMOTS [Guillemot à miroir] were around in winter plumage, as well as a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS [Macreuse brune], COMMON GOLDEN-EYES [Garrot à oeil d'or], COMMON EIDERS [Eider à duvet], and other expected ducks. Attached is a photo of a 1st-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL [Goéland brun], which many of the assembled skilled birders agreed upon.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton