Nature Moncton Nature News: May 14 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 14, 2020 (Thursday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca

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

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Sybil and Peter Wentzell drove over to Waterside (Albert Co.) to see if they could locate the Townsend’s Warbler. Sybil comments “we really weren’t expecting to see it but, as birders know, it’s always fun to try. It was last seen mid-afternoon and as we were turning around to begin our search in earnest …. there it was, sitting in the ditch where we made our turn on Long Marsh Lane, Waterside. So, it had returned to the Lane after heading east in the afternoon. We located it around 7 pm and it was gleaning insects on the ground and low in the alder bushes. Such a lovely bird and seemed vital and in beautiful condition. It paid us no heed as we watched from the vehicle. Barb Curlew and Rick Elliot first located the bird and we thank them for the honour to spend some time with it.”

** Louise Richard forwards a photo of a BAT that was found in the Jones Lake area that was out during the day and on the ground as well. They captured it with a butterfly net and it’s been sent to a veterinarian. Bats acting abnormally as this one was should be tested for the possibility of rabies and all precautions observed in handling a suspect bat.

** Brian Coyle enjoyed a surprise encounter with a BLACK BEAR [Ours noir] as he walked to a Beaver Pond across a field from his Lower Mountain Rd. home. He spotted it before it spotted him and was able to get behind cover to move closer. A pair of CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] started putting up a fuss when they saw Brian, but the bruin kept chomping on grass. The breeze was in favour of the bear which caught Brian’s scent as it was sniffing the air a few times then leisurely strolled off into the woods. Brian comments that the bear seemed very large, so probably a male. He photographed the tracks which were 5 ½ inches wide and close to the same in depth.

Brian also includes a few photos of a GLOSSY IBIS [Ibis falcinelle] that was in the Penobsquis area on May 7^th.

** David Christie saw his first fledged CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] at Lars Larson Marsh on Tuesday. There were four goslings that hung in a tight group with protective parents although six other geese were around seemingly to enjoy the newly arrived. The parents later took them to the cattail’s edge and started holding their necks very stretched out and the bodies deeper in the water presumably to make the grouping less obvious. Dave also saw GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] in the salt marsh across from the Lars Larson marsh and in the salt ponds in the marsh at Mary’s Point. Dave’s first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] seemed to drop by once a week ago and move on to be replaced by a new one or the same one for a brief stay on Monday, and it moved on as well. Also at Dave’s site, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS [Paruline à croupion jaune] are the main warbler item. However, on Wednesday, Dave saw his first NORTHERN PARULA [Paruline à collier] of the season and a second BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER [Paruline noir et blanc], both males. Dave also took note of a very small WHITE VIOLET blooming in an area with thousands of plants to make a pleasant display.

** Eric Wilson drove from Saint Stephen to Moncton on Monday in the pleasant sunshine to make a great wildlife count of 7 BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche], 4 OSPREY [Balbuzard pêcheur], 7 PORCUPINES [Porc-épic d'Amerique], 12 WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie], 7 WILD TURKEYS [Dinde sauvage] at the Saint Stephen exit, 14 TURKEY VULTURES [Urubu à tête rouge], and 5 PILEATED WOODPECKERS [Grand pic]– an action-packed day at work.

** Brian Stone got a very distant documentary photo of a BROAD-WINGED HAWK [Petite Buse]. Even though it is documentary, it does nicely show the broad wings, the dark trailing edge of the wing, and the broad few dark bands on the tail. Brian and Annette came across what appeared to be a fresh mammal den at the back of Mapleton Park with an approximate 12 inch diameter opening which is the size a COYOTE would use; however, this would seem an odd place for a Coyote to den.

** The warblers continue to stream in. Jane LeBlanc photographed a NORTHERN PARULA [Paruline à collier] and a PALM WARBLER [Paruline à couronne rousse] near St. Martins on Wednesday.

** Kevin Renton reports they also have YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS [Paruline à croupion jaune] coming to their Stilesville feeder yard. They also had an unusual visitor for them – a GRAY SQUIRREL [Ecureuil gris] appeared to their feeder area. One is a novelty, but too many can be problematic!

It’s May 14^th – and Happy Birthday to me including Miramichi plaid Covid-19 card (?)! [Transcriber’s comment – Happy Birthday, Nelson!!]

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton