NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 5, 2020 (Tuesday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** The RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are
arriving. John Inman on Mary’s Point Road had one arrive Monday afternoon. It
was a very cool day in Miramichi where I was but almost certain a hummingbird
zipped by. I did not have feeder up as usually see them later. A feeder promptly
went up but it was late in day and did not see it come to feeder Monday.
** Patty McCarthy has been having WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] come to
her backyard bird feeder area in the Grand Digue area. An albinistic animal
joined them on Friday night. A very interesting specimen that has taken
albinism to near total body. One would have to wonder how these animals make
out at avoiding predators, lacking camouflage, but this good-sized animal has
effectively done that.
** Louise
Nichols spotted a pair of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire]
excavating a nest in a fallen log. They were very rapidly taking turns going in
and out with wood chips. Louise got a short video of the action. Take a look at
the action at the attached link
** We are
in that time window where we see more YELLOW-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS [Salamandre maculée] and
BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS [Salamandre à points bleus] moving about in breeding activity. Bev Schneider’s
grandson Isaac McPhee got a photo of a Yellow-Spotted Salamander on a mission at
Mactaquac on Monday.
** Brian
Stone found a WOODLOUSE [cloporte commun] crawling across the floor in his home
and, as expected, got photographed! The Woodlouse is not an insect, but a crustacean
It comes in 14 parts and it can roll up into a ball to protect itself from
overly-aggressive photographers, as one of Brian’s photos shows. This insect
must have accidentally ventured into the home as it is normally would be found
in the woods.
Some
internet sleuthing finds this particular species, Armadillidium vulgare, is an introduction to North America from
Europe and has become common. It feeds chiefly on decaying plant matter, but
also grazed lichens and algae. It has been given so many common names that am
leaving it labelled as woodlouse. Was surprised to read that many hobbyists
keep them as pets! They are harmless to humans.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
YELLOW-SPOTTED SALAMANDER. MAY 4, 2020. ISAAC McPHEE
WHITE-TAILED DEER. MAY 1, 2020. PATTY McCARTHY
WHITE-TAILED DEER. MAY 1, 2020. PATTY McCARTHY
WOODLOUSE (Armadillidium vulgare) . MAY 04, 2020. BRIAN STONE
WOODLOUSE (Armadillidium vulgare) . MAY 04, 2020. BRIAN STONE
WOODLOUSE (Armadillidium vulgare) . MAY 04, 2020. BRIAN STONE
