Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 11 2018

Nature Moncton Information Line – 11 August, 2018 (Saturday)

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

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**Louise Nichols has been checking out her freshwater pond community in Etter Ridge near Sackville. She has put out a Minnow [Méné] trap to see what fish may be in the pond. She was able to temporarily detain both COMMON [Méné à nageoires rouges] and GOLDEN SHINERS [Méné jaune]. These two Minnows are fairly similar at first glance, but do have noticeable differences to differentiate them. Louise also found a Clam to be very common, and all at approximately the same size at 1.4 cm long, 1 cm wide, and 0.8 cm thick. Don McAlpine reviewed Louise’s photos and suspects them to be the GROOVED FINGERNAIL CLAM [Sphaerium simile]. It’s amazing what can be in the community that can be found in freshwater ponds.

**To point out a labelling error in a recent post when an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour des palombes] was labelled as a MERLIN [Faucon émerillon], the photos taken by Dale Savoie are re-attached today. The Hawk was photographed in McKees Mills. The labelling error is not that of Dale, but is due to computer challenges of adapting to an upgraded laptop and new email address, with a label being entered from a true Merlin a few editions earlier. An immature Goshawk should have a more bold supercilium but this is variable. The large spots on the undercarriage seem dark instead of the slightly reddish tone of immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS [Épervier brun]. A tail view would have made it more certain, as well as knowing size.

**Aldo Dorio is still noting CAPE MAY WARBLERS [Paruline tigrée] at Hay Island. Photos of fledgling birds and warblers now starting to molt out of breeding plumage can be challenging. In consultation with Gilles Belliveau, he felt today’s photo appears to be a very worn male as there seems to be too much colour for a fledgling.

I visited Hay Island on Wednesday; it was surprising to note the large number of COMMON WOOD- NYMPH BUTTERFLIES [Satyre des prés] in certain areas. The host plant of this butterfly is grasses; however, almost all were nectaring on SEA-LAVENDER [Lavande de mer], which is in full bloom, and is in the photo attached. NELSON'S SPARROWS [Bruant de Nelson] were vocalizing frequently, but as usual, very difficult to get a look at. One did come up on top of some grass and sang briefly. It was a long distance off, but I did get some documentary photos in the brief period it showed itself. LESSER [Petit Chevalier] and GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] were in good numbers. It was interesting to take note that Lesser Yellowlegs seemed to prefer being in small groups together, and also seemed to often go to deeper water, moving their bills from side to side as they foraged.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton