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!
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton