Nature Moncton Nature News: May 27 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 27, 2018 (Sunday)

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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)

** It is quite possible that the MUTE SWANS [Cygne tuberculé] photographed on Jones Lake by Blair Lawrence on May 23 is the same pair that disappeared just before that from the Saint John area, and now appear to be in the Amos Point area, which again suggests that it is the same pair and the visit to Jones Lake was just a brief stopover. Where will this suspected pair end up next?

** Duane Miller had a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] visit their St. Marcel yard, near Grand-Digue, this past week and checked out one of their nest boxes. TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] have already laid claim to one box, but they hope that the bluebirds will consider the other box, which is still available. It’s great to hear all the bluebird reports.

** It’s that time of the year when parent birds training a clutch of teenage fledglings can look a bit toil-worn.

Pat Fox noted a HAIRY WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] fuelling up at her yard feeder, suggesting that things must be very busy for this parent showing its white feathery areas very soiled and with no time to clean up, Pat also noted a handsome BALTIMORE ORIOLE [Oriole de Baltimore] arrive in a yard apple tree.

** Yet another INDIGO BUNTING [Passerin indigo]. Aldo Dorio spotted a bright male at Tabusintac on Saturday. He also got a photo of a pair of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS [Vacher à tête brune], and also of PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] coming to his feeder, as an increasing number of bird feeders seem to be getting at the moment.

** In correction of a labeling error in yesterday’s edition, the butterfly labeled HOARY COMMA [Polygone gracile] was actually a GRAY COMMA [Polygone gris] and is corrected on the Blogspot. Jim Edsall points out that it is a Gray Comma, based on the lack of contrast between the inner and outer halves of the wing underside and the small spots on the upper side. They are re-attached again today, so those points can be noted.

** Brian Stone once again sends some interesting photos from his Perth, Ontario, visit. WILD TURKEYS [Dindon sauvage] are now native to Ontario and Quebec. Brian got some nice views of a male to show all the wattles, beard and rich breeding plumage. He also got a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW [Hirondelle à ailes hérissées] that we occasionally get in New Brunswick and do have some breeding records. It very much resembles a BANK SWALLOW [Hirondelle de rivage] at first, but lacks the neck cummerbund of the Bank Swallow. He got a very nice photo of a cooperative WILSON’S WARBLER [Paruline à calotte noire] that occurs here as well, and also a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER [Paruline à ailes dorées] which would call for a rare bird alert in New Brunswick.

He also came across a black GROUNDHOG [Marmotte commune] which appears to be what one would consider a melanistic individual, which would be rare here. I assume that is also true in Ontario. Also a MOURNING CLOAK [Morio] butterfly, which is an early butterfly here as well, and that we are starting to see now. This insect overwinters as an adult. A GRAY TREEFROG [Rainette versicolore] caught his eye. We do have this frog at several spots in New Brunswick, especially at Hyla Park in Fredericton, where it is well established, and that site set aside as an amphibian park.

** Our little Dachshund dog is not with us this year. He would simply not allow CHIPMUNKS [Suisse] anywhere near the camp porch. This year it is only Sadie on the watch and she obeys instructions not to bother the chipmunks. They soon caught on and quickly got Pat very well-trained when she is sitting outside that they would like peanuts in the shell, please! It’s very interesting to watch them stuff 4 to 5 peanuts into their cheek-pouch grocery bags, and occasionally, take the time to chow one down.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton