NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Thursday November 07, 2019
Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com 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.
***Annette Stone spotted 2 CANADA JAYS while walking an Irishtown Park trail on Tuesday. She spoke to Jean-Guy Goguen who said he
had seen 4 together earlier in the day.
Nice to know this forest bird has chosen Irishtown Park
where hopefully they will linger so more folks can see Canada's national bird
symbol.
***While moving a bird feeder pole on Tuesday, a
MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY suddenly appeared for Louise Nichols. It was slowly
flapping wings, not seemingly to be in flying mode in the cold wind. It
appeared to be fairly fresh, showing little wing wear.
This
butterfly overwinters as an adult by just closing its wings on tree bark. The
underwing pattern gives it amazing camouflage. Their amazing antifreeze
ability will allow them to fly on very warm winter days and are ready to fly as
spring warmth appears to continue their mission.
***The NB
Birds Records Committee met this past weekend in Saint John and issued an
invitation to anyone interested to attend as an observer. Long-time
active birder Ron Steeves accepted that invitation and leaves his thoughts as
an observer.
"The
committee consists of chairman Jim Wilson, Roger Leblanc, Stu Tingley, Gilles
Belliveau, Dave Christie, Don McAlpine and Richard Blacquiere.
As many
probably saw the statement issued by Jim Wilson regarding the acceptance of
WILD TURKEY be added to the New Brunswick birding list and the locations in the
province that are most likely to be of the wild genus.
The
presentation for discussion about Wild Turkey was put forward by Jim and it was
outstanding the amount of facts, figures, and reports that he had accumulated
from Maine and the five counties bordering the state of Maine. Ron
comments that it was gratifying to observe this committee, with their
professionalism, enthusiasm and caution pertaining to such
matters.
These
folks are all volunteers and should be truly appreciated by all of us for the
work they do."
Thank you
Ron for sharing your comments with the rest of us to let us understand how
important this Committee really is.
***On a
visit on Monday to the Chartersville ponds/marsh, (just off Louis St in Dieppe)
gave Georges Brun the chance to see quite a large flock of waterfowl. The
estimated number to be approximately 350 to 375 birds either resting or
feeding.
There
were a notable number of NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, some
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, MALLARDS and others too far for him to identify.
Georges
sends photos of two rafts, one was in the southern part of the pond, the other
in the north-east end, and both seemed to be trying to snooze as if they had
arrived from a long journey.
The
photos seem to show the pintails nearing breeding plumage with the pin tail up
to half what they soon will be and some Northern Shovelers that may be still seem
to be moulting out of eclipse plumage or possibly young-of-the-year-birds.
***Leon
Gagnon had a young-of-the-year GREAT BLUE HERON stay in his Wilson Point Miscou
yard for several days in mid-September, as well as the yard of a neighbour. It
would retire for the night in nearby trees and back faithfully the next day.
Leon's photos show the black crown of the juvenile Great Blue Heron, the
bicoloured bill and reduced visible rufous in the thigh area so apparent in the
adult standing bird or in flight. A pleasant yard visitor for sure.
Barb
Brown shares her experience planting some of the non-native trees mentioned in
yesterday’s edition in her near Ayer’s Lake home yard. Barb bought a Tulip Tree
at “Canadian Tire” in Woodstock 2 years ago—a fairly large sapling about 6ft
tall. It did well the first winter but suffered a bit of twig damage last
winter. It appears to be planning to “hang in there” as long as our
winter isn’t too severe with a lot of abrupt freeze-thaw cycles.
She has
quite a few Hickories as well, grown from nuts collected on Ile Perrot, just
off Montreal Island where they are native (Shagbark as well as
Bitternut). She also has seedlings from White Oak acorns collected in the
same location. The Hickories are having mixed success, with those planted
in her vegetable garden doing the best. Her Bitternut is 5 years old now
and still only 3in. tall! They are all surviving however so Barb thinks it
is well worthwhile to at least try to grow them in NB. She has also had a
lot of success here with Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana). Her sapling,
grown from a seedling, produced seed of its own this year, for the first time.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY. NOV. 6, 2019. LOUISE NICHOLS
GREAT BLUE HERON (JUVENILE). SEPT 12, 2019. LEON GAGNON
GREAT BLUE HERON (JUVENILE). SEPT 12, 2019. LEON GAGNON
GREAT BLUE HERON (JUVENILE). SEPT 12, 2019. LEON GAGNON
NORTHERN PINTAIL AND NORTHERN SHOVELER. NOV 5 2019 GEORGES BRUN
NORTHERN PINTAIL AND NORTHERN SHOVELER. NOV 5 2019 GEORGES BRUN
WATERFOWL RAFT NOV 5 2019 GEORGES BRUN
WATERFOWL RAFT NOV 5 2019 GEORGES BRUN
