Nature Moncton Nature News: November 7 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

November 7, 2024

Nature Moncton members as well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond are invited to share their photos and descriptions of recent nature sightings to build a fresh (almost) daily edition of Nature News

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

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com and proofreader Louise Nichols at Nicholsl@eastlink.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Lynn Dube came across several one-cm mud nests tucked into a blanket outside that had not been used all summer. She had never seen them before, nor had the editor.

BugGuide quickly gave an answer.

They are nests built and maintained by the Spider Hunting Wasp (Pompilid). These nests each contain a larva. The adult wasp will sting and paralyze spider prey, then transport them to the constructed nest to feed the developing larva.

(Editor’s note: Lynn has agreed to contribute some of the nests to the editor's growing nursery, so he can hopefully get a photo of the adult when it emerges. If all the nursery contents happen to emerge in synchrony, a social problem could develop!)

**Debbie and Michael Batog were treated to an incredible sunset over the Little Bouctouche River at 5 PM on Wednesday. They captured a photo to retain the moment.

**Nelson Poirier was in the St. Andrews area on Tuesday and a stop at the downtown wharf netted a pair of Surf Scoter, and fortunately the rain held off long enough for him to photograph them. The male was in prime breeding plumage.

Also from the wharf, winter plumage Black Guillemot were very actively diving for fish snacks. The dramatic change from summer to winter plumage is striking in this species.

A juvenile Double-crested Cormorant chose to be in the photo lineup as well.

Nelson also visited nearby Waweig Road to check on the wild Turkey scene at this site and was able to locate a semi-cooperative group to photograph. He was surprised to find the whole group were female birds with no toms present.

The true wild Turkey is a relatively new addition to the native birds of New Brunswick as wild stock from the US have been crossing the US border into counties of New Brunswick bordering the US (passports ignored).

We still have a lot to learn about how they are adapting to life in New Brunswick. Jim Wilson has been doing just that and reviewed Nelson’s photographs. Jim commented that he thinks flocks at this time of year and during winter tend to be generally segregated by gender but sometimes mixed which would account for no toms being observed. Jim also commented on the photos as to which birds may be adult and which may be young-of-the-year.

Mike Holland (former Minister of Natural Resources) is an avid Turkey hunter who is very familiar with the traits of this bird and is very helpful in explaining the life and times of the wiley wild Turkey.

**Yolande LeBlanc recently commented on finding the cultivar Privet loaded with winter berries at a few locations in Memramcook.

Nelson Poirier visited the lone Privet shrub that is present on the shoreline of Jones Lake. It is also loaded with berries that will persist into the winter and are appreciated by bird fruit connoisseurs. It was noted that all the foliage was still bright green on November 5.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton