Nature Moncton Nature News: May 22 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 22, 2018 ( 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)

** David Christie comments on a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] scenario. He had some arrivals on May 07 and 08 and nothing from May 09 to the 13th, then three became regular. However on last Sunday things seemed to explode with at least nine different hummers visiting his feeders. Even the resident male backed off in desperation from chasing off such this posse. David checked with John Innman just up the road from him who was experiencing a similar scenario at the same time. David also had a male INDIGO BUNTING [Passerin indigo] come by again on Sunday and Monday that acted very skittish. The Indigo Bunting seemed most interested in cracked corn on the ground.

** On Sunday morning Gabriel Gallant visited a small lake near his Sainte-Marie-de-Kent home with waterfowl in mind. There was a pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier] and a COMMON LOON [Plongeon huard] pair there, but his attention soon turned to four SPOTTED SANDPIPERS [Chevalier grivelé] and six GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] feeding on the shore. He was able to get a nice photo of the Spotted Sandpiper. This sandpiper will stay with us all summer and set up housekeeping in New Brunswick while the Greater Yellowlegs will be moving to the north of us to complete their summer mission. There was also a hundred plus TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] flying low over the lake gleaning insects.

** Lisa Morris took note of a group of PUFFBALL MUSHROOMS that had burst and sent their load of spores last fall.

** Judy Marsh has been making some interesting observations sleuthing the former Keddy's Motel area on the Shediac Rd. On Monday she saw CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS [Paruline à flancs marron], a YELLOW WARBLER [Paruline jaune], an AMERICAN REDSTART [Paruline flamboyante], a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET [Roitelet à couronne dorée] and a GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat]. At dusk Judy saw a GREAT HORNED OWL [Grand-duc d'Amérique] and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK [Bécasse d'Amérique] doing its mating dance ritual.

** Jean Paul and Stella Leblanc were in Centennial Park in Moncton on Saturday to spot a pair of WOOD DUCKS [Canard branchu] as well as get their photo.

** Clarence Cormier had some new arrivals to his Grande-Digue site that included a SWAINSON'S THRUSH [Grive à dos olive] and a VEERY [Grive fauve]. Three YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS [Pic maculé] also arrived as well as a new species for Clarence's site, a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER [Paruline bleue].

** Brian Stone sends more nature action from his Perth, Ont. visit. He spotted four TRUMPETER SWANS [cygne trompette] in a woods pond. These would cause a rare bird alert in New Brunswick but sure could be just that. He also found a NORTHERN WATER SNAKE [serpent d'eau du nord] swimming in another woods pond. We do not have that species native in New Brunswick but it is very close to us and may have already arrived and not been detected as of yet.

A fresh BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY [Papillon du céleri] gave an excellent photo, a species that we will soon see here, and also a good image profile of a PAPER WASP. COLUMBINE [fleur d'ancolie] flowers are in bloom and in some images of an EASTERN PHOEBE [Moucherolle phébi] on its nest note the very characteristic moss and mud construction of their typical nest. A NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] gave a nice view from above and male BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] were singing robustly.

** Summer bird feeding surely has its moments of pleasure with the differing species than winter feeding. We have noticed a difference from other years for a few species at our camp feeders. As a few others have reported, PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] are coming in numbers. They are the most numerous patrons for us at the moment and sure have a taste for mid-cut sunflower chips and they seem to feel that there is no necessity to share. We also have more ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS [Cardinal à poitrine rose]. We usually have a pair but this year there are three adult males but only one female. Not sure how they will work that one out! They have usually favored black oil sunflower seed in the past but this year they are including sunflower chips and shelled peanuts on their menu. We usually have one pair of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS [Pic maculé] that come mainly to the grape jelly and/or jam feeder but this year we seemingly have five of mixed gender that come to the jam. They as well have expanded their menu to peanut butter and shelled peanuts. The rest of the troupe are the expected regulars with the notable absence of the Purple Finch.