Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 26 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 26 October 2019 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**Louise Nichols made a check of some of some Sackville sites on Friday for avian presence. The Lorne Street impoundment had about 40 RING-BILLED GULLS [Goéland à bec cerclé], some MALLARD DUCKS [Canard colvert] including a hybrid Black Duck x Mallard [Canard noir x Canard colvert], some GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier], and one Dowitcher [Bécassin]. At this late date, the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER [Bécassin à long bec] has to be a rule-out, and Louise got three nice photos to look at features. It does have the rounded back appearance of the Long-billed Dowitcher and prominent white eye crescent under the eye, which the Crossley Shorebird Guide points out is a Long-billed Dowitcher feature. Louise did not hear it vocalize to give that “peet call”, to give it more certainty of a Long-billed Dowitcher, but this species has to be suspected at this late date. The newer Lorne Street impoundment in Sackville is one attracting birds, and birders are therefore becoming attracted there as well.

**The Sackville Waterfowl Park was dominated by GADWALLS [Canard chipeau] and AMERICAN WIGEONS [Canard d'Amérique], with lesser numbers of MALLARD DUCKS [Canard colvert] and RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier]. Louise saw a couple of WILSON'S SNIPES [Bécassine de Wilson] but they were under cover and so difficult to photograph, as they usually are. A few DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS [Cormoran à aigrettes] were there as well. Louise got some nice photos of a male Gadwall to show the black butt of the male, and the white wing patch seen on both genders when sitting, which is part of the secondary wing feathers, which nicely show in flight as well. A male American Wigeon was colouring up nicely, showing the Wigeon blue bill with black tip. A still-contented remaining GREAT BLUE HERON [Grand Héron] joined the lineup.

**Louise also checked out the fields behind the Sackville town garage but had no luck with spotting any shorebirds. They definitely are not as populous there as they used to be.

**Louise drove across the Tantramar Marsh but it was quiet except for several BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche] and one NORTHERN HARRIER [Busard Saint-Martin].

**It is that time of year to enjoy the late fall foliage of the TAMARACK TREE [Tamarac] in its beautiful yellow foliage. The Tamarack is the only coniferous tree to go into fall colour and lose its needles. It is also a nice time to note the WINTERBERRY HOLLY [Houx verticillé] shrub, often from roadside in wetter areas, showing its bright red berries readily now, as the leaves have dropped. The berries will cling to its branches all winter, to the delight of some bird fruit connoisseurs, but is often not their first choice.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton