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Editor: Nelson Poirier    Proofreader: Louise Nichols

Saturday 17 October 2020

Oct 17 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 17 October 2020 (Saturday)

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 Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com Transcript by: Catherine Clements

 Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

**Jane LeBlanc had a DICKCISSEL [Dickcissel d'Amérique] visit her St. Martins yard on Friday. The plumage can be a bit confusing, but we feel it is either an immature male or an adult female. Dickcissels are relatively uncommon visitors to New Brunswick, and some usually show up sporadically each fall and winter, and some can even overwinter at feeder yards. Their expected breeding range includes the central portion of the U.S.

 

 **Leigh Eaton reports they are noting a nice diversity of birds at their new location at Turnberry Court in the Evergreen subdivision area of Moncton. Leigh reports seeing many WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] the last few days, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] becoming more frequent visitors to their new address. A flock of RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de Colchide] love the offering of peanuts and cracked corn. It appears like at least three generations/broods are coming to their yard several times a day, and yesterday two adult males at the same time. A surprise visitor yesterday was a male PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand Pic]. On Saturday he saw 2 to 3 PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] but initially thought they were immature AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune].

 

**Mac Wilmot noted some larval caterpillars in a Spruce tree [Épinette] block he was splitting. The tree was sound, but dead. One would have to wonder if this may be the larvae of one of the Long-horned Beetles [Longicornes] that can be quick to recycle dead wood. Beetles and mushroom fungi (mushrooms) play a major role in recycling dead wood. The larval caterpillars Mac photographed were ¼ in.+ in diameter and 1 1/4 in. long.  The beetles contribute very significantly to the cuisine of some birds like woodpeckers.

**Friday was Gordon Rattray’s turn to have PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] arriving. He had 6 spend most of the day in his Weldon feeder yard, and now knows he does indeed have two WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine blanche], and they are enjoying a peanut butter feeder. A pair of male and female DOWNY [Pic mineur] and HAIRY WOODPECKERS [Pic chevelu] joined them at the peanut butter bar.

 

**Lois Budd visited the Tantramar Wetlands on Friday after chatting with Louise Nichols. Around noon there were 20 Hudsonian Godwits that she could see and count from the lookout benches with her scope.  Her camera was not strong enough to get a good photo from that distance as the light was also against her.

It seems morning is the best time if anyone wishes to see them.

 

 **There have been lots of mentions of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] in significant numbers recently. Daryl Doucet got a photo of a sharply-dressed specimen enjoying his feeder area. Most White-throated Sparrows migrate, but a small number do overwinter with us, especially at feeders.


**More PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] activity again for Aldo Dorio, who photographed them foraging on the seeds of a group of maturing flower heads going to seed. Gart Bishop feels the plant of their interest is BOG GOLDENROD [Verge d'or des marais] (Solidigo uliginosa). Aldo also photographed a Gall [Galle] on what appears to be on  an Oak leaf. These are usually made by insects of varying species. Galls are a whole story on their own and do tend to like Oak!

 

 Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

 Nelson Poirier,

 Nature Moncton


DICKCISSEL. OCT. 16, 2020.  JANE LEBLANC

DICKCISSEL. OCT. 16, 2020.  JANE LEBLANC

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. OCT 16, 2020. DARYL DOUCET


PINE SISKIN. OCT 16, 2020. GORDON RATTRAY

PINE SISKINS FORAGING BOG GOLDENROD (Solidago uliginosa). OCT 16, 2020.  ALDO DORIO
PINE SISKINS FORAGING BOG GOLDENROD (Solidago uliginosa). OCT 16, 2020.  ALDO DORIO

WOOD BEETLE LARVA. OCT 16, 2020.  MAC WILMOT

WOOD BEETLE LARVA. OCT 16, 2020.  MAC WILMOT

WOOD BEETLE TRAILS FOUND IN SPRUCE BLOCKS. OCT 16, 2020. MAC WILMOT.jpg

GALL ON LEAF. OCT 16, 2020. ALDO DORIO