Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 6 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Sept. 6, 2020 (Sunday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca

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**Yves and Suzanne Poussart visited Petit-Cap on Saturday hoping to find the CASPIAN TERNS (Sternes caspiennes) already observed by other members earlier this week. Yves found a group of seven of them near the extreme end of the dune and was able to get several photos. As the tide was coming in and the water level was rising, they left the sand bar they were on and became actively involved in getting some fish to eat. About 30 minutes later, they flew on the other side of the bay and joined a group of COMMON TERNS (Sternes pierregarins) which were sitting on a sand bar. A photo shows a Caspian tern flying with a flounder in its beak. Photos showing the two species together clearly illustrate the big difference in size. The whole group flew away a few times to adjust to the rising level of water but was quickly coming back allowing the possibility to get some photos in flight. The Caspian Tern is the largest species of tern in the world dwarfing the Common Terns in Yves’ photos. This visit was an exciting experience for Yves as it was a first time for him to see and photograph them.

** Brian Stone visited Wilson’s/Bell Marsh on Friday, commenting that things did not seem that active, but suspect that foliage at this time is hiding a lot. He did get some nice photos of an EASTERN KINGBIRD [Tyran tritri]; this always seems to be a reliable spot to see this species. Brian did get some dragonflies to pose, including a CANADA DARNER [Aeschne du Canada] and a female SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK [Sympétrum rubingineux], as well as an AUTUMN MEADOWHAWK [Sympétrum tardif], showing its brown legs. A NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] was on his lawn after ants which is a popular Northern Flicker activity this time of year. One of his resident EASTERN CHIPMUNKS [Suisse] gave him a very icy look when he requested a photo.

Brian got a photo of the Moon and Mars conjunction very early Sunday morning at 01:00 am. He needed two photos at different exposures and combined them to a composite image to get both objects exposed properly.

** Aldo Dorio’s friend Gratan got a great photo of an OVENBIRD [Paruline couronnée] nicely showing its orange crown edged in black, striped chest and pink legs. Aldo also got a photo of a juvenile RUDDY TURNSTONE [Tournepierre à collier] at Hay Island. Note the white fringes on the feathered plumage which is often seen on juvenile shorebirds.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton