Nature Moncton Nature News: 2018-08-26

Saturday, 1 September 2018

Sept 1 2018

Nature Moncton Information Line – 1 September, 2018 (Saturday)

To respond by email, please address your message to the Information Line Editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Please advise the Editor if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**The colours of many of our not so often seen insects can rival those of any bird. Shawn Cormier got a nice photo of the GOLDENROD SOLDIER BEETLE [Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus] recently, feeding on its favourite plant, Goldenrod [Verge d’or], which is so abundant this time of year. Some second looks at the many Goldenrods in bloom this month may well find this colourful beetle, as well as lots of others that favour Goldenrod. Shawn also shares a few more photos his zoom camera got close to in the past days. One is the orbweaver spider commonly known as the CROSS SPIDER [Araneus diadematus]. There are two photos of it. The photo of it on the leaf shows the white cross mark heading down the back, to help identify this orb-weaver spider. We can see large ones tending their intricate web insect traps this time of year. Shawn’s insect finds also included the Harvestman, a.k.a., Daddy Longlegs. These insects are in the Arachnid group, as are spiders, but they are not spiders. They tend to feed on dead or dying insects, fungi, and other organic items, but are not venomous. They remind me of a Rice Krispie on eight long legs. Shawn also got a nice photo of a Bee [Abeille] making use of Goldenrod.

**Peter Gadd got a photo of a GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] having lunch at the Miramichi Marsh on Friday, to show their diet includes small frogs, which seem to disappear quite easily.

**Aldo Dorio got a photo of a MERLIN [Faucon émerillon]. The angle does not show many key features, but the grey back and the top of the tail having those broad black bands with thin pale bands does suggest Merlin.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

BEE. AUG 30, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

CROSS SPIDER. (Araneus diadematus). AUG 30, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

CROSS SPIDER. (Araneus diadematus). AUG 30, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

GOLDENROD SOLDIER BEETLE (Chauliognatus pensylvanicus). AUG 30, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

GREATER YELLOWLEGS. AUG 31, 2018. PETER GADD

HARVESTMAN AKA DADDY LONGLEGS. AUG 30, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

MERLIN. AUG 31, 2018. ALDO DORIO

Friday, 31 August 2018

AUG 31 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 31, 2018 (Friday)

To view the photos mentioned in this edition go to http://nminfoline.blogspot.ca

Please advise editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.
Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca

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

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com.

** Jane LeBlanc in St. Martin got a very clear photo of a STINK BUG species preying on a MONARCH BUTTERFLY [Monarque] caterpillar. Stink Bugs are listed as potential Monarch Butterfly predators, but catching one in the act is revealing.

** I revisited the site where I found the LADIES’-TRESSES ORCHIDS where I realized they were actually the YELLOW LADIES’-TRESSES which the guides list as rare in New Brunswick. This may have changed since the guides were published. After Jim Goltz identified the first photos as the very uncommon Yellow Ladies’ Tresses, a second examination found the identification features of distinct butterscotch-coloured trough in the centre of the lip to differentiate it from the NODDING LADIES’-TRESSES, which are the two Ladies’-Tresses species that are expected to be in bloom now. The habitat they were in was surprising, as they were in a few inches of seemingly poor soil fragments in the cement parking lot of an abandoned building. However, they were happy there, and there were approximately 50 plants in the area ranging from 12 to 15 inches in height. I realize orchids may not be riveting information to most, but I’m adding some of the new photos today.

** This week’s Sky-at-a-Glance is included in this edition, courtesy of sky-guru Curt Nason.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, September 1 – September 8
The Summer Triangle is at its highest in early evening. Vega pokes through the twilight overhead, followed by Altair to the south and Deneb to the east. All three are the brightest stars of their respective constellations of Lyra, Aquila and Cygnus. Although it is the dimmest of the trio, Deneb is actually much brighter but it is about 60 times more distant. If it were as close as the other two it would be more than ten times brighter than Venus.

I occasionally sit out on the deck shortly after sunset and just look up at the blue sky, waiting for Vega to appear. Easily amused, the blue background gives me a three dimensional view of my eye floaters. Then, with a little concentration, I look for a Maltese cross of pale yellow and blue light. Haidinger’s Brush isn’t in the sky; it is a phenomenon of the eye caused by the polarized light overhead. If you are really keen to learn about this see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haidinger%27s_brush.

This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 6:39 am and sunset will occur at 7:57 pm, giving 13 hours, 18 minutes of daylight (6:45 am and 8:01 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 6:48 am and set at 7:44 pm, giving 12 hours, 56 minutes of daylight (6:54 am and 7:48 pm in Saint John).

The Moon is at third quarter on Sunday, rising near the bright star Aldebaran just before midnight. Venus is low in the west after sunset, setting around 9 pm later in the week. Jupiter sets at 10:30 so it is observed best in twilight. Look for its Red Spot with a telescope at 9 pm on Monday. Saturn is the showpiece of the evening sky and it resumes its eastward motion relative to the stars late in the week. Mars still captures the eye with its bright orange glare but a dust storm continues to hide some of its features from telescope users. Mercury is brightening but also moving sunward; this is the last good week to pick it out of morning twilight. Neptune, a binocular object, is at opposition on Friday in case you are looking for something to celebrate.

The RASC NB star party at Fundy National Park takes place Friday and Saturday, August 31 – September 1. The Saint John Astronomy Club meets in the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre on September 8 at 7 pm.

Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

STINKBUG PREYING ON MONARCH BUTTERFLY CATERPILLAR. AUG 29, 2018. JANE LeBLANC

Summer Triangle

YELLOW LADIES'-TRESSES. AUG 30, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

YELLOW LADIES'-TRESSES SHOWING LEAF ARRANGMENT. AUG 30, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

YELLOW LADIES'-TRESSES. AUG 30, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

Thursday, 30 August 2018

Aug 30 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 30, 2018 (Thursday)

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com . Please advise if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Carmella Melanson has had the good fortune of having a CAROLINA WREN [Troglodyte de Caroline] visiting her Grand Barachois yard in the mornings in the 6:30 to 7:30 am time window. She heard it on Monday morning, was able to see it on Wednesday morning, and it returned for an observation on Thursday morning, so it is obviously making regular morning visits at this point. It is being very vocal, so if present it will be known. Birders are welcome to drop by Carmella’s home for a potential audience.

** Leon Gagnon shares some video photos he took on Miscou Island recently. Three photos are of a PHILADELPHIA VIREO [Viréo de Philadelphie], a vireo that we don’t often get nice observations of. It is showing its stronger yellow blush of late season. Leon also got a photo of a BLUE-HEADED VIREO [Viréo à tête bleue] in molt. The Blue-headed Vireo in non-molt is the one vireo of our common ones that shows white wing bars but Gilles Belliveau points out that most of the median coverts and greater coverts are missing due to the molt and it is the pale tips of those that form the wing bars. However one can see one of them is indeed present and has the pale tip to indicate that the bird is in molt. The late season plumage changes of some birds can make identification more of a challenge. Fortunately many still vocalize.

** One candidate in the Provincial Election has chosen a Nature Moncton swallow box as a backdrop to keep an eye on it.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

BLUE-HEADED VIREO. AUG 29, 2018.. LEON GAGNON

CAROLINA WREN August 30th 2018 CARMELLA MELANSON

NATURE MONCTON SWALLOW BOX SHARING SPACE. AUG 29, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

PHILADELPHIA VIREO. AUG 29, 2018,. LEON GAGNON

Wednesday, 29 August 2018

Aug 29 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 29, 2018 ( Wednesday)

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelson@nb.sympatico.ca . Please advise if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com.

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by:Judy Marsh marshj@nbnet.nb.ca

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

**Isaïe Comeau got a photo of a GREAT EGRET [Grande Aigrette] recently with a pair of AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Canard noir] looking on off the shore of a small island off Miscou.

** Mac Wilmot photographed a Coral Mushroom near his home recently. We have several Coral mushroom species in New Brunswick and some in bright colours. Mac's appears to be the Violet-branched Coral. Mac comments the photo is showing blue tones, but actually was a dull purple in situ. Corals are usually found in woods.

** Shawn Cormier shares a few zoomed in clear photos. One photo shows the very sharp detail of the facial features of the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT [Cormoran à aigrettes], a good example to compare with the different facial features of the GREAT CORMORANT [Grand Cormoran]. The photo is an immature bird. Cormorants do take two years to reach maturity. Shawn also got a close-up of the facial area of a Meadowhawk Dragonfly. Gilles Belliveau points out it is difficult to say for sure whether the speciman is a Ruby or Cherry-faced Meadow-hawk. The Cherry-faced is normally more red, but doesen't always have a reddish face and can have a yellowish brown face, similar to a Ruby Meadowhawk

** Brian Stone got several nice clear photos of the Two-Stripped Grasshopper before he left Perth Ontario. We have this species in New Brunswick, but by comparing it with other photos received, it may be variable depending on age and gender. This one the Bug Guide has identified as a female. The two photos are attached today.

** I took a hike around the Miramichi marsh on Sunday. It is a very recommended site with diverse habitats for birds, plants, odes, and lots more. When visiting the site, maintained by Ducks Unlimited and the Miramichi Naturalists Club, plan on spending the minimum of a few hours at least. On Sunday there was an abundant crop of Wild Raisin, Mountain Ash, Rose Hips and Virgina Creeper berries. Virgina Creeper, apparently has berries toxic to man, but birds forage on them. The flashy Twelve-Spotted Skimmer Dragonflys were very abundant. The only shore birds seen were GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier]. The habitat looks good for other potentials. The late flowering Water Plantain was present, some plants sporting their three part blooms and others with the floral spray yet to open, as one photograph shows. The plant Water Shield was abundant showing its root going down from the centre of the shield. Also lots of the small plant Duckweed showing its single or few roots to compare it with the multirooted Water Flaxweed that Gart Bishop showed us in Grand Lake Meadows. There were a few Yellow Ladies’-tresses Orchids that are making the orchid scene from late July into mid September. I found several on Sunday and found them challanging to identify. On checking with Jim Goltz, he feels the photos best match the Yellow Lady's Tresses, commenting that the Hooded Ladies’-tresses seem to be in peak bloom late July and early August, whereas Nodding Yellow Ladies’-tresses bloom late August to mid September. Yellow Ladies’-tresses have creamy off white blooms with petals and sepals more up swept. Nodding Ladies’-tresses have more crystal and white flowers. It looks like a revisit to that orchid site is indicated!

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. AUG 26, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

GREAT EGRET WITH BLACK DUCKS. AUG 27, 2018. ISIAE COMEAU

MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY.AUG 27, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER

TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

TWO-STRIPED GRASSHOPPER. AUG. 23, 2018. BRIAN STONE

VIOLET-BRANCHED CORAL (SUSPECTED) MUSHROOM. AUG 28, 2018

VIRGINIA CREEPER BERRIES. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

WATER PLANTAIN. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

WATER PLANTAIN BLOOM. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

WATER PLANTAIN DEVELOPING FLOWER CLUSTER. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

WATER SHIELD. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

YELLOW LADIES'-TRESSES LEAF ARRANGEMENT. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

YELLOW LADIES'-TRESSES . AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Aug 28 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 28, 2018 (Tuesday)

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Maurice Richard got an excellent photo of a DARK FISHING SPIDER taking a wasp as prey right at the wasp’s nest. Venomous spider or not, this has to be one gutsy spider! This spider species does not build a web, preferring to hunt down its prey. They are often found near water but this one seems to have decided that the pickings may have been better on land.

** A MONARCH BUTTERFLY [Monarque] CATERPILLAR that Jamie Burris had taken inside for protection went into its “J” position and pupated to its chrysalis stage on Sunday evening. The chrysalis of another that had formed on August 16 emerged on Monday morning, appearing to be a male, and was released to continue its mission. Very likely it will head for Mexico to overwinter.

** Aldo Dorio got a photo of a young of the year LEAST SANDPIPER [Bécasseau minuscule]. Note the scaling of the fresh feathers and the pale color of the legs. I felt it at first to be a Pectoral sandpiper from the photo, but Gilles Belliveau points out that though the two are indeed similar, the Pectoral Sandpiper is usually rustier on the upper parts and a Pectoral usually would have a greenish-yellow color at the base of the bill at this time of year. Also the Pectoral would have a longer primary projection and the Least Sandpiper has little or no primary projection.

** The so called “Pine Cone Galls” are appearing on Willow shrubs at the moment, looking a bit like a cabbage or Christmas Tree lights. This gall is produced by a Gall Midge larva that will overwinter in the gall and at the moment is actively feeding inside the gall. A photo of one intact and also of one in cross section is attached to show the plumpening larva inside.

** WILD RAISIN, aka Witherod Berries, are starting to ripen at the moment, going from pink to the mature dark blue. They are edible, but the large seed leaves little flesh. I also came across a WANDERING GLIDER DRAGONFLY on Sunday. These striking, pumpkin coloured dragonflies are a real challenge to net in warm temperatures as they are always gliding about, never alighting when the temperature is warm. One made the mistake of zipping by too close to get netted and temporarily chilled in a fridge to get photographed before promptly being released to continue its mission.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

PINE CONE GALL. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

PINE CONE GALL LARVAL CATERPILLAR. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

DARK FISHING SPIDER (DOLOMEDES TENOBROSUS) PREYING ON WASP. AUG 27, 2018.MAURICE RICHARD

LEAST SANDPIPER. AUG 27, 2018.ALDO DORIO

MONARCH BUTTERFLY AUG 27 2018 JAMIE BURRIS

MONARCH CATERPILLAR (GOING INTO J POSITION TO PUPATE) AUG 26, 2018. JAMIE BURRIS

WANDERING GLIDER DRAGONFLY. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

WILD RAISIN BERRIES. AUG 26, 2018. NELSON POIRIER

Monday, 27 August 2018

Aug 27 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Aug. 27, 2018 (Sunday)

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** Susan Metivier has had a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] build a nest just outside her Riverview home window, which is easily monitored without disturbing the birds. Early last week, Susan sent a photo of the nest; then, a few days later, a photo of three hatched nestlings, ready for their parents’ arrival. This would be a second brood for this species.

** Lois Budd is lucky to have a large GROUNDNUT [Patates en chapelait] vine near her Salisbury home. Last year it didn’t bloom for her, but this year it’s full of this plant’s very unique late-season blooms. Its blooms in our area are triploid and do not produce viable seeds. This plant reproduces via its underground edible tubers, which were used as a food by native people, which gave it its other name of “Indian Potato.” Lois also has a TURTLEHEAD [Tête de tortue] plant in bloom, another late bloomer. Looking closely at its flowers explains the common name very well.

** Jean Renton and her neighbour, Nicole, who are both very interested in wild mushrooms, are having a real field day in the area around their Canaan Forks camp. They are finding a lot of BAY BOLETE (Boletus badius), CHANTERELLE (Cantharellus cibarius), SLIPPERY JACK (Suillus luteus), WOOD BLUET (Clitocybe nuda), the edible variety of the FAIRY RING MUSHROOM (Marasmius oreades), and many LOBSTER MUSHROOMS (Hypomyces lactifluorum), which they say, seem well past their prime at the moment.

They were also entertained by 5 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS [Engoulevent d’Amérique], diving and cavorting for aerial insects very near their camp deck, putting on a very eye-popping show on Sunday night.

** Sterling and Judy Marsh stopped by the yard of the Chateau Moncton on Sunday, to watch an adult BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] perched on a rock in the river, very closely watching for a fresh fish lunch to pass. This has become a very popular spot for Bald Eagles to try their “angling luck” in recent years, as many more fish species are now ascending and descending the Petitcodiac River, as Edmund Redfield’s survey trap nets at Salisbury have impressively shown.

** There are so many species of fish beneath the water surface that we never get to see. Phil Riebel and I were fishing ATLANTIC MACKEREL [Macquereau bleu] in Miramichi Bay, near Baie du Vin Island, on Sunday, when a CUNNER [Tanche-tautogue] took the fly. This is a relatively common salt water fish. I have never seen one above 10 inches, and often less, but assume many folks have never seen one. They have very sharp spines and an impressive set of teeth. They will eat just about anything that fits and can be common bottom feeders around some wharves. A Google search points out that they were once used as a food fish.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton