Nature Moncton Nature News: May 23 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 23, 2018 ( Wednesday)

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

Transcript by Judy Marsh marshj @nbnet.nb,ca

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

** Catherine Hamilton submitted a woodpecker photo that left us head scratching. It was obviously not a HAIRY WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] or DOWNY WOODPECKER [Pic mineur] and its features were not right for a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER [Pic à dos noir] or AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER [Pic tridactyle]. Catherine was similarly confused, but was only able to get one photo. Gilles Belliveau's help came to the rescue. In searching on-line literature, he found that some YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER [Pic maculé] females have entirely black crowns. He also recalled dealing with an on-line discussion on this feature. The rest of the markings do look like YELLOW- BELLIED SAPSUCKER. There is a blush of yellow on the nape and under carriage. The label of female YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER is going on it after these discussions.

** Lisa Morris encountered one of our several native species of Caligraphic Beetles, motoring across her clothesline. These beetles, with the uniquely designed elytra are leaf eating bettles, of which Alder seems to be a favuorite dining choice.

** Brian Stone got several more nature photos in Perth , Ontario. A bright NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge], a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine blanche] and views from two angles of a SWAMP SPARROW [Bruant des marais]. Brian is noting a caterpillar, which I believe to be the variable Salt Marsh Caterpillar, but stand to be corrected on the identification. He also got a lunar halo on Tuesday evening. A WILD TURKEY [Dinde sauvage] walked through the yard Tuesday. There is a population of truly WILD TURKEYS in Ontario and Québec, but still controversy on the TURKEYS in New Brunswick, as to how truly wild they are. Many are suspected to be domestic crosses, or totally domestic orgin. However with that thought, there is little to contest that we may have truly WILD TURKEYS crossing into New Brunswick from close by jurisdictions which no doubt the New Brunswick Bird Records Committee must have to deal with at some point.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton