NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, November
13, 2020 (Friday)
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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)
** Last Saturday and Tuesday, Suzanne
and Yves Poussart drove along the coast to look for recently arrived
birds. They saw several RED-THROATED LOONS
[Plongeon catmarin] in the
vicinity of the Caissie Cape wharf and also at Pointe-Sapin. Some of them may be juveniles and others were
clearly adults with breeding plumage remnants.
They were actively diving to get some fish. Most of the time, they were quite far out,
but once in awhile, an individual was emerging close enough to allow for a few
photos to be taken. In both locations it
was also possible to see and hear some groups of BLACK SCOTERS [Macreuse noire] and a few male LONG-TAILED DUCKS
[Harelde kakawi]. Yves’ photos nicely show the striking
yellow-orange knob at the base of the adult male Black Scoter.
At their home in Moncton, two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de
Colchide] are now
among the regular visitors looking for seeds.
** More NORTHERN CARDINAL
[Cardinal rouge] surprise
visits. Leigh Eaton had a female pay a
brief visit to his Moncton yard to sample ground-applied cracked corn. This is Leigh’s only second sighting of a
Northern Cardinal in New Brunswick. They
seem to be appearing much more in some areas of New Brunswick, but the Moncton
to Miramichi area and north is not one of them.
** Doreen Rossiter leaves an
encouraging NORTHERN
CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] report. The pair that she had visit her Alma feeder
yard last Saturday did not return, but a different male dropped by on Wednesday
Nov. 11th. However, Thursday
was really a red bird day when no fewer than 4 Northern Cardinals arrived and
fed heartily, especially enjoying a seed bell.
By carefully observing the birds, Doreen thinks that she has had 7
different Northern Cardinals come by.
She also comments on the different demeanour of the Cardinals she has
hosted over the years. Some are very
timid and others, like the two pair that visited on Thursday, seem to be quite
bold and even kept on feeding as Willis put up the outdoor Christmas lights.
** Brian Stone got a photo of a WESTERN
CONIFER SEED BUG on Thursday. This bug
is becoming more common in New Brunswick after being introduced from western
Canada. They have a tendency to seek out
warmer sites to overwinter which can include homes. This bug feeds on the sap of developing
conifer cones. It is considered a minor pest
but could become more problematic in conifer plantations. The large swelling on the tibia, one of which
is missing in the photo, is a quick clue to the bug’s identity.
** It’s Friday and time to review the
next week’s Sky-at-a-Glace courtesy of sky-guru Curt Nason with a New Moon
coming along.
This
Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2020 November 14 – November 21
Orion can be seen getting out of bed around 8 pm now, preparing for a night of
hunting. Being a giant and very old, it takes an hour and a half for his
hourglass shape to clear the horizon. He rises on his side and stands upright
when he is in the south. The celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky
directly above our equator, runs very near Mintaka, the star at the right of
Orion’s Belt. Therefore, Mintaka rises due east. Notice how huge Orion appears
as he rises, bigger than he appears a few hours later in the southeast. This is
the same optical illusion that makes the Moon appear larger when it is rising
or setting. The twins Castor and Pollux of the constellation Gemini rise on
their side at the same time as Orion, just to his left.
If you are into genealogy, Orion, as a son of Poseidon, is a cousin to Pollux,
a son of Zeus. Castor had the same mother as Pollux but a mortal father.
Genealogy is more complicated when immortals are involved.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:19 am and sunset will occur at 4:47 pm,
giving 9 hours, 28 minutes of daylight (7:21 am and 4:55 pm in Saint
John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:28 am and set at 4:40 pm,
giving 9 hours, 12 minutes of daylight (7:31 am and 4:48 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new on Sunday, passing below Jupiter and Saturn on Thursday and
reaching first quarter after midnight next Saturday night. Jupiter and Saturn
are in good position for early evening observing, while Mars resumes its
eastern motion against the stars at the beginning of the week. Mercury remains
a naked-eye object within 15 degrees to the lower left of Venus throughout the
week. Comet C/2020 M3 ATLAS is a potential target for binoculars or small
telescopes at late evening this weekend, near Orion’s “other” shoulder star,
Bellatrix, above of his three-star belt. The Leonid meteor shower might
add of few shooting stars for viewers over Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.
With astronomy meetings and outreach activities on hold, you can watch the
local Sunday Night Astronomy Show at 8 pm, and view archived shows, on YouTube
at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAEHfOWyL-kNH7dBVHK8spg
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
