Editor & Proofreader

Editor: Nelson Poirier    Proofreader: Louise Nichols

Thursday 24 May 2018

May 24 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 24, 2018 ( Thursday )

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nelson@nb.sympatico.ca . Please advise if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

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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)

** Blair Lawrence photographed two SWANS on Jones lake on Wednesday. I can't tell from the photo just what species they are but are definitely something to be followed up on with the appearance of a pair of Mute Swans in the Saint John area. This photo was forwarded courtesy of Dan Hicks.
** Paul and Rhonda Langelaan saw a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO [Coulicou à bec noir] approximately a mile past their Second North River farm, in the area of civic number 3960, Route 112. They hear them there every year at about this time in that area but this is only the third time that they were actually able to see one.


** Sybil Wentzell shares an interesting RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] scenario. She does not have any artificial feeders up yet but some hummers are around her yard seemingly interested in the dandelions in bloom to suggest that this would be an abundant, early source of fuel to them whether it be nectar, insects, or both. Sybil notes that they sometimes hover to feed and sometimes would alight on the soft dandelion rays and probe.  Sybil comments that she suspects that they are very much waiting for the Quince in their yard to bloom for another natural food source.


** Those big, valuable BUMBLEBEES are out at the moment. Dave and Elizabeth Eagles watched an assumedly large queen that overwintered checking out some freshly opened apple blossoms. They also have a male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER [Pic maculé] enjoying a suet block that is heavy on the peanut butter content. Interesting to note how it seems that this species seems to be becoming more common checking out menus at feeders.


** It sure is great to hear of the INDIGO BUNTING [Passerin indigo] reports. Thane and Jane Watts had a male visit them at their Hopewell Cape home on Tuesday. It does seem like their are more reports of this species. Maybe it is just more reporting sites, but I hope this pleasant species is indeed joining us. There are breeding records of Indigo Bunting in New Brunswick.


** Aldo Dorio spotted four SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS [Bécassin roux] at Hay Island on Wednesday morning. They are showing breeding plumage which we only usually get to see when the early returning birds still have some in late summer when they stop to fuel up on their return migration from breeding to the north of us. Aldo photographed a RED-BERRIED ELDER bush about to burst into bloom and also some more out in the open views of the GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat] that he has been seeing regularly.


** Peter Gadd got a photo of a WEASEL taking a rodent prey on May 19. The Weasel is, as expected by now, in complete summer pelage. The prey identification is hard to be certain of, but Deer Mouse is suggestive although it could well be a Vole like the one in a photo that Phil Reibel  took on April 20, 2015. The prey does not seem to have a long, pointed snout of a Shrew and the tail, if that is what is being seen, is a good length. Of the various Shrews in New Brunswick some have short, stubby tails and some have longer. The Deer Mouse always has a long tail and the two Voles that we have show relatively short tails.

** Kevin Renton comments on the large number of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis] now attending his three feeders. Kevin also comments on a RED FOX [Renard roux] that was spotted in a field near their home that was showing a lot of black to suggest some domesticated ranch Fox in its genetic makeup.

** Louise Nichols shares a very interesting photo from a relative in Toronto. A pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS have set up shop on one of the buildings in Queen's Park and now are raising two fledglings. It would seem surprising for this raptor to nest in such a busy area. The photographer, Doug Tessier, comments that they still seem a bit uncertain about planes flying over!
 Louise also comments on the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker female with the black head that was posted yesterday by Catherine Hamilton. She noted Sibley comments that it does happen occasionally and one has been recently posted on a Facebook page in New Brunswick by Pierrette Bourque.


** We were sure surprised to see a bit of wet snow falling in Miramichi on Wednesday afternoon, but from some photos that Aldo Dorio submits from Neguac things got much more serious there but will be goner today.


** Sue Richards got a photo of a BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY [ Papillon du céleri ] that seemed to have just emerged from its winter chrysalis and was drying its fresh wings for its mission ahead. Sue also had a RING-NECKED PHEASANT [Faisan de Colchide] become very interested in checking out her new rock wall protecting some newly planted Holly bushes.


** Brian Stone got photos of a PINK SPOTTED LADY BEETLE in Perth, Ont. On a search to see if this species has been reported in New Brunswick it was found that BugGuide did have a report of this Lady Beetle from the Edmundston area. There may be more, but we were unable to find any so keep a close eye for this Lady Beetle in New Brunswick. From what we see in the literature it is not problematic if it is here.
Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton



 
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY. MAY 23, 2018. SUE RICHARDS 

BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY. MAY 23, 2018. SUE RICHARDS 

BUMBLEBEE ON APPLE BLOSSOM. MAY 23, 2018. DAVE AND ELIZABETH EAGLES

GRAY CATBIRD.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO

PINK SPOTTED LADY BEETLE. MAY 22, 2018. BRIAN STONE

PINK SPOTTED LADY BEETLE. MAY 22, 2018. BRIAN STONE

PINK SPOTTED LADY BEETLES. MAY 22, 2018. BRIAN STONE

RED-BERRIED ELDER READY TO BLOOM.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO

RED-TAILED HAWK NEST IN TORONTO. DOUG TESSIER. MAY 23, 2018

RING-NECKED PHEASANT. MAY 23, 2018. SUE RICHARDS

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD TO DANDELION. MAY 23, 2018, SYBIL WENTZELL 

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD TO DANDELION. MAY 23, 2018, SYBIL WENTZELL 

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (BACKGROUND) WITH YELLOWLEGS.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO


SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO

SWANS ON JONES LAKE. MAY 23, 2018. BLAIR LAWRENCE

VOLE. APRIL 20, 2015. PHIL REIBEL 

VOLE. APRIL 20, 2015. PHIL REIBEL 

WEASEL AND PREY. MAY 19, 2018.  PETER GADD

WHITE-TAILED DEER IN SNOW.MAY 23, 2018. ALDO DORIO

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (MALE). MAY 23, 2018. DAVE AND ELIZABETH EAGLES