NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION
LINE, February 13, 2019 ( Wednesday)
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Transcript by: Judy Marsh marshj@nbnet.nb.ca
** Sarah Chouinard-Horne is hosting 100 plus EVENING
GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant] to her feeder yard in the Willow Grove area of Saint
John. One bird really stands out with the over expression of yellow plumage.
This is a relatively rare, usually genetic quirk called xanthochroism. It can
occur in other birds and animals when expected pigmented areas are replaced
with yellow . I have had photos sent to me of this condition a few times in the
years when EVENING GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant] were prevalent in New Brunswick,
but this is the only one I am aware of this year of the abundant EVENING
GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant] that are in New Brunswick. I did have one of these
birds at my own feeder yard, more years ago than I care to admit. Pat saw it
when I was at work and was said there was a different bird with the EVENING
GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant] flock that almost looked like a COCKATIEL or
LOVEBIRD. It came and went that year. Sarah reports that her bird is a regular,
seeing it every couple of days or so. Lucky landlady!
**There has been a lot more comments on RED FOX
[Renard roux] activity recently, as their mating
season is in full swing and roaming about more and seen more during the day at
this time of year. Yolande LeBlanc in Memramcook comments she is enjoying
watching one which seems to have adopted a favourite hay bale in a field below
her Memramcook home and is seen frequently around it or snoozing on top of it.
On Tuesday especially, it enjoyed stretching out on the top of the bale soaking
up the sun's rays making sure it's vitamin D needs were met.Yolande also
comments on COMMON REDPOLL [Sizerin flammé], PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune]
interaction. She has two separate feeding areas and if the COMMON REDPOLL
[Sizerin flammé] are at one the AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] are at
the other, seeming to make it obvious they do not care to feed together.
Yolande notes the PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] will sometimes join both species
at some of the feeders, but the AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] seem to
make it apparent that three is just a crowd. I have exactly the same scenario
at my own feeder yard. They don't seem to get in disputes, but the AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] are definitely
not amused with the COMMON REDPOLL [Sizerin flammé] ,feeding at
different times, where as the PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] seem to join both.
**Lisa Morris photographed the rough
black growth of the fungal infection, (Angiosporina morbosa) commonly
seen on trees of the prunus genus. We tend to notice them much more often on
wild cherry trees. Many trees seem to survive heavy infestations, but it can
kill branches, by cutting off circulation past the growths which then provide
habitat for insects.
**Every year at the Annual Festival of
Nature hosted by Nature New Brunswick, each nature group in the province makes
up a basket of items a naturalist would appreciate. These baskets are raffled
off in a silent auction. Nature Moncton
members and friends are asked to bring in any items they would like to contribute
to the monthly meetings to be assembled as a box for donation to the Festival
of Nature event taking place in St. Andrew's
on June 7, 8 and 9. Our next meeting
is this coming Tuesday night on February 19.
BLACK KNOT FUNGUS GROWTHS (APIOSPORINA MORBOSA). FEB 12, 2019. LISA MORRIS
BLACK KNOT FUNGUS GROWTHS (APIOSPORINA MORBOSA). FEB 12, 2019. LISA MORRIS
EVENING GROSBEAK (XANTHOCHROISM). FEB 12, 2019
EVENING GROSBEAK (XANTHOCHROISM). FEB 12, 2019
