Nature Moncton Nature News: June 21 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

June 21, 2023

Species names in boldface indicate that a photo is included.

To respond by e-mail, please address message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Nature Moncton’s first Wednesday night walk (in the sunshine!) Is taking place tonight! All details and map below:

The first Nature Moncton Wednesday evening walk of the season is on tonight, June 21^st, starting at 7 pm at Haut du Ruisseau Nature Park in Memramcook. Traveling on #106 from Memramcook toward Dorchester, turn left on Breau Creek Road, then left again toward the park sign at the corner of Breau Creek Road and Palmer Road. The 5KM trail system within the park is well-signed and colour-coded.

There are 5 km of trails from easy gravel/packed ground to steep climbs, and some tree-root paths giving moderate conditions. There is a portapotty in the parking lot. The lot can hold about 10 vehicles. There are benches, covered benches, and little buildings to sit in with windows to see out.

On a scouting walk, Fred and Sue Richards noted there were many places to stop and view nature which had many birds to be heard and some to be seen.

This nearby excellent hiking trail may be new to many and this will be a perfect chance to explore it and to enjoy it with comradeship and lots of sharp eyes to miss nothing!

The regular Wednesday evening walks are starting with a perfect choice.

In addition to the written directions above, a park map is attached below.

**Andrea Milburn was in Hillsborough on the walking trail behind the water tower the weekend after the Nature Moncton Warbler Walk to witness a Peregrine Falcon capture a Blue Jay as prey and take it to the summit of a utility pole to allow a photograph.

**The reason Deana and Peter Gadd keep a peanut feeder going this long in the spring is that they have Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers nesting nearby. In the past, the Downy dad seems to teach the youngster how to get morsels from the feeder. Presently, outside their window, however, a Hairy Woodpecker dad seems to be spoiling his single youngster by doing all the work and has been doing so for at least a week. The young Downy Woodpecker male has a red spot on the top of its head that migrates backward, it seems, as it gets older. Peter noticed in the picture he took on Tuesday that the male juvenile Hairy Woodpecker also has some red on the top of its head. Logically there are two spots, although they are faint. Photos allow you to notice things you might not otherwise see.

**The onset of warm and sunshine has brought pollinators ‘flocking’ to the brilliant blooming Rhododendron in the yard of Rick Elliott in Waterside.

Rick photographed a Common Eastern Bumblebee on its important pollinating mission.

**A very sincere thank you to Fred Richards for organizing and acting as the chief chef to operate the barbecue to provide some great fully dressed burgers to a very content sellout, appreciative crowd. Thanks to the kind folks who brought treats to complete the festive event.

The newly arrived sunshine was a value-added bonus!

The group enjoyed a series of photos from the Nature Moncton Warbler walk that happened in May after the tummies were full.

Brian Stone sends a few photos from the June Nature Moncton Meeting on Tuesday evening. While enjoying the outdoor barbecue preceding the indoor photo slideshow, Brian was directed by other club members to the presence of a Silvery Blue Butterfly (suspected), a Brown Stink Bug, and an Eastern Phoebe that were joining the club members at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It seems that cameras must be exercised like any other pet if they are to remain happy!

(Editor’s note: Stink bugs earn their name from the defensive odor they release when disturbed or crushed. Photographs are allowed!)

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com