Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 28 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 28, 2019 (Monday)

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

To respond by e-mail, 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. Note that corrections, deletions, or delayed additions may not always appear on the Info Line and email transcript but will always appear on the BlogSpot. For this reason, it is recommended that those wishing to look at historical records use the BlogSpot rather than the email transcript. The BlogSpot can always be accessed from the website.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at <http://naturemoncton.com>.

Edited by Nelson Poirier, <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>

Transcript by David Christie, <maryspt@mac.com>

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

Returning home from viewing Don Gibson’s Pink-Footed Goose Jim Carroll and wife Therese located a TROPICAL KINGBIRD in Cambridge Narrows. It was perched on a wire seemingly enjoying the picturesque view of Washademoak Lake. At first glance while driving by it was viewed only as a silhouette. Birding instinct kicked in demanding a stop as something about the silhouette wasn’t “right” for the area. A very astute move on the part of Jim as this could be easily passed off as a Western Kingbird at first glance. On zooming in the bright yellow breast became evident. The bird posed for less than a minute then moved on. Many birders are expected to be seeking a viewing today. The ‘almost’ November rarities are arriving!

** Deanna and Peter Gadd were special guests at a performance of HOODED MERGANSERS [Harle couronné] late Saturday afternoon, just off the causeway that leads to Middle Island in the Miramichi River. Middle Island is downriver of the City, where many Irish immigrants once landed and now is a park. There was a flotilla of 14 Hooded Mergansers, 9 male and 5 female, 2 of which seemed to back off. The males were out to impress one and all, in their breeding plumage best. The Gadds were not certain whether the males were trying to impress the females or each other. Attached are a few photos and a link to a video clip. Make sure your volume is up to hear the avian chatter while watching the video. The afternoon sun provided perfect lighting for the Gadds’ front row seats. We now all have front row seats with Peter’s awesome photography.

https://flic.kr/p/2hAT5kw

** Carmella Melanson did a double-take late on Sunday to see a RED FOX [Renard roux] in a field at Cape Spear, trotting along with what appears to be a RACCOON [Raton laveur] head in its mouth. Now exactly why and how did a fox happen to be travelling about carrying the head of a Raccoon?? I suspect only the fox knows the whole scenario but did not care to share with Carmella!

The BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS are still very much with us. I was able to get a group of approximately 20 recently to show the plumage of the date. I ran the photos by Gilles Belliveau who felt pretty sure these are juveniles due to the heavily “checkered” pattern (bold white spots on dark gray and black feathers) while adults in winter plumage would be more of a drab grayish colour with less contrasting spots.

Nelson Poirier <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>

Nature Moncton