NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 14, 2020 (Wednesday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Louise Nichols spent Tuesday morning
at various Sackville spots. She counted 14 HUDSONIAN GODWITS [Barge
hudsonienne] at the Tantramar Wetlands, (behind the Tantramar Regional High
School). These were first spotted last week but they are still present, huddled
in a group. In the lagoon behind the Sackville town garage Louise noted 9 RUDDY
DUCKS [Érismature rousse] which is a larger number of these ducks than usual at
that spot. She also photographed a few RING-BILLED GULLS [Goéland à bec cerclé].
All would appear to be adult birds, but one is advancing into its streaked head
of the winter plumage.
On the muddy banks of the Tantramar
River a number of GREEN-WINGED TEALS [Sarcelle d'hiver] were enjoying the mud.
For years now Louise has noticed that Green-winged Teals have gathered on this
muddy bank but not other species. She has always wondered what the teals see in
the mud that others don’t. She doesn’t know why, but if anyone does have an
answer to this question she would be interested in knowing if anyone does. She
also photographed a lone AMERICAN PIPIT [Pipit d'Amérique] on the rocky edge of
the river. Last week she saw a flock of about 10 pipits there.
** Mac Wilmot got another note from
grandson Andy Stultz who is on his way to his home port of St. Johns,
Newfoundland, off Cape Chidley, on the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St-Laurent.
Andy reports today’s birds: 50 ROCK PTARMIGANS [Lagopéde alpin]. A few landed
on the ship and a PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] (Editor note: Gyrfalcon would have to be a rule out) showed up and was buzzing
around for half an hour and landed a few times, coming right up to the bridge
windows. Then 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS [Buse pattue] showed up and the falcon left a while later after bombing the hawks for a bit. Mac comments that it
seems in a land of relative nothingness that even a bright red ship will
attract birds, perhaps owing to the sheer contrast to all else. To repeat … not
your average pelagic birding trip!
** Aldo Dorio is noting PINE SISKINS
[Tarin des pins] starting to harvest the birch catkin crop at Hay Island at the
moment. A SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] also nicely posed showing its breast
patch nicely with the heavy breast streaking.
** Another reminder for those who want
to order sunflower seeds from New Brunswick farmer Mike Dickinson if they wish,
place your order with Dale Gaskin at 734-2197 and if you get voicemail, just
leave your name and telephone number and the number of bags that you would
like. The price is $17.00 for a 15Kg bag. This is not a Nature Moncton fund
raiser but is in support of a locally grown product.
** Probably many have noticed peanut
seeds for sale in the Maritimes. Jane Leblanc added that addition to her
already diverse yard in St. Martins. As per the directions on the seed package
since some frost had hit the plants, she harvested the whole plant and they are
hanging in a cool, dark place to dry before being roasted. Jane had 3 plants in
a big pot on her deck and you can see in the photo the number of peanuts. She
comments that it was interesting but she doesn’t think she will become a peanut
farmer any time soon so Planters Peanut Co., worry pas!
Jane also noted that a pair of BALD
EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche] and a dozen AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille
d'Amérique] were on the St. Martins beach Tuesday morning fighting over
breakfast which turned out to be a deceased RACOON [Raton laveur] being
recycled.
** With all the restrictions in place
it may seem like Nature Moncton is quiet, but far from it. The Board of
Directors and committees have met regularly, some virtually, and actually a lot
is going on as far as planning. The October meeting will very likely be virtual
with John Klymco on odes (dragonflies and damselflies), sunflower seed orders
are being arranged, activities when possible and appropriate will happen, as
well the Petitcodiac River Appreciation Day is still on the books and will
happen when possible and appropriate, swallow nest boxes are in planning for spring distribution, and more. There are lots of items in waiting to
resume when the present challenges get wrestled down.
** We have arrived at that time of year
when we have frosty nights that change as soon as morning warmth arrives. Jean-Paul
Leblanc took the moment to photograph some of the humorous changes it results
in. Their heron effigy made a nice nature art subject with its frosted shadows
on his Bouctouche home windows.
** Annette and Brian Stone noticed four
EUROPEAN STARLINGS flitting about their old nest box on their back deck railing
at their Mountain Rd. home on Tuesday. They were taking turns sticking their
head inside the nest box hole as if trying to get inside. This behaviour lasted
for about 15 minutes and then they flew away. By the time Brian got the camera up
and running for a video clip 2 of the birds had already left and the other 2
were still trying out the nest box, maybe in some kind of rehearsal for future
nesting activities which fortunately will not be successful due to the 1 ½ in. hole
that prevent them from taking over swallow/bluebird/chickadee nest boxes?
Take a look at their attempts at the attached
video below
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3snge44j0ti1apx/STARLINGS.%20OCT.%2013%2C%202020.%20BRIAN%20STONE.MOV?dl=0
This species has now lost the yellow
beak of breeding plumage and also taken on the silver spotting to give them
their starling name.
** It was a pleasant surprise to have a
MILBERT’S TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY [Petite Vanesse] drop by our camp on Tuesday
afternoon in follow up to a significant frosty night before. It was in
excellent condition. It is one of our relatively few native butterfly species
that overwinter as the adult so this one will probably be doing just that. Its
under wings, which it would not show, are very bland compared to the brightly
adorned topside that will act as camouflage over the winter. The Milbert’s
Tortoiseshell is not commonly seen so it was a real treat to have it drop by.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
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