Nature Moncton Nature News: June 11 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, June 11, 2018 (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)

** Elaine Gallant visited the Shemogue area to check for the MUTE SWANS [Cygne tuberculé]. They were only able to locate only one, in a small stream, just past the Black Rock Road, on the left hand side.

** Brian Coyle made a very enjoyable woods hike on Sunday and came across a flock of 50+ CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique], RED-EYED VIREO [Viréo aux yeux rouges], VIOLETS [violettes], STARFLOWER [Trientale boréale], CANADA MAYFLOWER [Maïanthème du Canada], CHOKE CHERRY [Cerisier à grappes] in bloom, BUNCHBERRY [Cornouiller du Canada] and the emergence of OYSTER MUSHROOMS [Pleurote en forme d'huitre]. Note that the flowers of Bunchberry are in the centre while large white flower-like parts are bracts. The Oyster Mushrooms are very fresh and edible; they can appear at any time over the summer when they get adequate moisture from the tree that they are growing on. There are so many things to appreciate on a woods walk this time of year.

** Phil Reibel's trail camera continues to get photos of the sow BLACK BEAR [Ours noir] and three cubs on the Renous River. Some recent photos show one of this year's cubs nicely.

** Kevin Renton reported yesterday about a flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] arriving to enjoy apple blossoms. They have now turned their attention to blooming LILACS [Lilas vulgaire].

** Aldo Dorio recent pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Es] have settled into their chosen nest box in his Néguac yard. Note the nesting material bulging out the bottom with the male taking a look in to check things.

** As in another edition, folks are noting CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] performing mating rituals to prepare for summer families. Berry-passing is a popular ritual, which Krista Doyle got a photo of from her Lewis Mountain home.

** We were visited by a group of vocal GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS [Tyran huppé] at our Miramichi camp on Sunday. I don’t think they are apt to nest here, so I assume it was a group in migration to other areas of the province, such as around Grand Lake, where they are seen frequently. Getting them to stay in one spot for a photo was a challenge. They were constantly moving about, but staying around the yard. I wondered if they may have been attracted by the vocalizations and activity of the many birds around the feeders at the moment. The photos really show the crest that gives it its name, and the size is larger than the flycatchers we normally see, an average size of about 8 inches, smallish starling-size.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton