Nature Moncton Nature News
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** A heads-up notice on
this week’s Nature Moncton Wednesday evening walk at the end of this edition
and upfront on Tuesday and Wednesday.
**It’s that time of year
when there are a lot of fledgling birds out there and many are in that category
of appearance labeled “only a mother could love”.
Kim Wilmot in Lower
Coverdale photographed two very loudly vocalizing fledglings recently, but the
Wilmot's were not able to see a parent bird tending to them to confirm their
identity.
The two fledglings are not
in a dowdy plumage stage and are quite sharply attired but as yet no firm
guesses on identity. The nest must have been in a tree/ground very close to the
doorsteps of the Wilmot’s home where they were photographed. Brenda Wilmot did
spot a bird in the bird bath and then heard singing in a nearby tree and used
Merlin for possible identity, which suggested warbling vireo. The wing bands and
eye ring do suggest the possibility of a connection. Any comments would be very
appreciated as to who the parents of these two fine-looking dudes may be!
Kim supplies photographs
and a video to give guesstimates a try.
**On Saturday morning,
Brian Stone joined Cathy Simon on the trails behind Crandall University and
sends a few photos from the walk. Not as many birds as usual were seen or
heard, but some other items of interest filled in the gaps left by the absent
bird life. Of the few birds seen, only a black-and-white warbler was
photographed as it searched clumps of dead leaves for insect prey. A female
ebony jewelwing damselfly flew around them for a short time at one
spot, and a tiny wood frog tried to hide from them in a partridgeberry
patch.
A linden tree in flower was hosting many red soldier beetles congregating on its blossoms. Pipsissewa, aka prince's pine, was in bloom (note the geometric design of the bloom), and just two Queen Anne's lace flowers were showing the deep purple central flowers. (Most Queen Anne's lace umbels are white but an occasional one can be pink). Other plants photographed were wood sorrel and sarsaparilla berries. Many mushrooms were present alongside the paths, with most of them past their prime or in stages of having been foraged upon. Some of the mushrooms easily identified were fly agaric, scarlet russula, chanterelle, and lobster mushrooms.
**Nature Moncton Wednesday Walk Night
Date: Wednesday, July 22nd,
2026, at 6:30 PM
Where: Mill Creek Nature Park
Meeting Place: Bridgedale
entrance, parking lot P3 on the park map (turn right at the green Mill Creek
sign on Bridgedale Blvd. coming from Gunningsville Blvd. This parking lot is
located before the Runneymeade entrance.)
Leader: Jessica
Belanger-Mainville
Description: Mill Creek Nature
Park is a 330-acre nature park that is rich in biodiversity due to its varied
habitats, ranging from wetlands to mixed forests. In addition to its nature
attractions, the park has a long, interesting military history – the land was
used as a naval radio station during World War II and was mostly staffed and
run by women. The park’s most well-known feature, the reservoir, was built to
provide an emergency water supply on the naval base. The reservoir outlook is
part of Fundy Biosphere’s 50 Amazing Places due to its breathtaking views.
This walk will take place on
well-maintained gravel trails, and participants are expected to see and hear a
good diversity of birds!
Bug spray and protective clothing are recommended. All are welcome, Nature Moncton members or not. If you are a member, don’t forget to wear your name tag!
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
