NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Sept. 13, 2020 (Sunday)
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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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** When checking out the lagoon ponds
at Cap Pelé on Saturday, Jim Carroll noted a white shape
moving at a considerable distance. When
zoomed in on it, it was recognizable as a WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de
Virginie]. As the
wind was blowing with them toward him, Jim was able to close the distance and
wait for their approach. The two deer
approached to about 60 m. One animal is
very pie-bald, very predominantly white, and a striking animal. The other animal appears to have some limited
white areas as well. A very interesting
duo!
** OYSTER MUSHROOMS can pop up in the middle of the
City as Maurice Richard’s photo shows.
Some are growing out of reach on a mature maple tree on Givan Drive in
Moncton. This mushroom is edible. I personally don’t find it choice, but many
do. It always grows shelf-like from
trees. We seem to be heading into
another dry period, so ground mushrooms may not flourish for a bit, but those
that get their moisture from trees may appear at almost any time, especially
late summer and fall.
** Jane LeBlanc photographed what appears to be a HEMLOCK
LOOPER MOTH day-resting. It’s a bit
stretched out to what it normally appears, but I suspect it’s that
species. Jane had a visit from a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
[Colibri à gorge rubis] on Saturday
morning to her St. Martins yard. Most
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have already filed flight plans south, but adult males
seem to have left later than usual this year.
** Aldo Dorio got a photo of a MOURNING CLOAK
[Morio] butterfly on Saturday. It looks
fairly fresh. There is a possibility this
butterfly will overwinter just as it is.
This is one of our small handful of butterflies that overwinter as the
adult in NB and are ready to boogie with the first warm days of spring. An incredible system of antifreeze.
Aldo also
sends a photo of a DARK-EYED JUNCO [Junco ardoisé] that is
suspected to be a female or a young-of-the-year bird. Gilles Belliveau points out the thick paler
edges of the tertials may be more prominent in young birds or in very fresh
plumage, but are also present in females.
They are there in the slate-covered males as well, but not as
noticeable. It’s one of those things
that we will pick up in a still photo, but do not take note of in the field as
this is such a common species.
** It is a popular time of year for some of our underwing
moths to fly. Many are quite bland until
their hind wings open and are visible; however, the ONCE-MARRIED UNDERWING MOTH
does have many features when wings are closed, but are super striking when
those flashy underwings appear. A photo
is attached to show both fore and hind wings.
It would be interesting to know the origin of the common name!
**Many have commented about an apparent lack of
AMERICAN ROBINS around this year. I have noted a real surge of young immature
birds in the areas I have been in of late. I wonder if they got off to a late
start like so many things this season and making up for it now. A photo is
attached.
nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
