Nature Moncton Nature
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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.
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observations/photos with Nature News, contact the editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
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**Nature Moncton could not
record Josh Christiansen September presentation because the regular recorder could not attend.
Nature Miramichi had Josh give
the same presentation for them via Zoom on October 6, which they recorded. The
link to listen to that recording is below:
https://youtu.be/Ku-uI7Bc2Gg?si=Lp_JzjnH_LvOXO94
This presentation focused mainly on salamanders, but Josh made many interesting, thought-provoking side comments.
**Jane LeBlanc had monarch
butterfly number 17 hatch on Thursday, a female. She still has two or three
chrysalises left to hatch.
(Editor’s note: it is looking like we're not finished seeing monarch butterflies yet! Jane LeBlanc and Ted Sears both still have chrysalises that haven't emerged yet.
One might wonder whether
these emerging adults have a better chance of making that migration to Mexico
if they're still developing in one of New Brunswick's warmest spots?)
**David Lilly shares a
photo of an eastern grey squirrel seemingly enjoying the fall colours as
much as the rest of us!
**Brian Stone sends a few
older photos from back on September 30 that he finally got around to
processing. At Highland Park, he photographed a Wilson's snipe and a
young-of-the-year great blue heron that sharp-eyed Cathy Simon spotted
for him, plus a displaying ruffed grouse (at super long distance)
and a shaggy mane mushroom he found on his own. It sure helps to have a
good spotter (and listener) along as often as possible.
**This Week’s Sky at a
Glance, 2026 October 3 – October 10
With the Square of Pegasus appearing higher in the east after twilight, look
under it (or outside the first base line of the diamond) for a circle of
fainter stars. This asterism is the Circlet of Pisces which forms the head of
one of the two fish that make up this zodiac constellation. The other fish head
is to the left of Pegasus. Below left of the Circlet is the Vernal Equinox, the
point where the Sun crosses the equator to mark the beginning of our spring
season. At times it is still called the First Point of Aries, despite having
moved well to the west of the zodiacal ram.
The two fish represent Aphrodite and her son Eros, who tied their ankles
together with a cord before leaping into the sea and changing into fish to
escape the fearsome monster Typhon. The star where the fishes’ tails meet is
called Alrescha, which means “the cord.”
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:29 and sunset will occur at 6:42,
giving 11 hours, 13 minutes of daylight (7:33 and 6:47 in Saint John). Next
Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:39 and set at 6:29, giving 10 hours, 50 minutes
of daylight (7:42 and 6:35 in Saint John).
The Moon is new this Saturday and near Antares on Wednesday. A
challenging target very low to the southwest, Mercury is at greatest elongation
and near the Moon on Monday. Saturn is at its best for observing in late
evening. Mars continues to edge toward Jupiter in the morning sky over the
week while both sneak up on Regulus, the heart of Leo the Lion. Venus is too
close to the Sun for viewing. Rural observers might see the zodiacal light
in the east an hour or two before sunrise.
Tune in to the Sunday Night Astronomy Show at 8 pm on the Facebook page or
YouTube site of Astronomy by the Bay. There will be public observing at the
Irving Nature Park in Saint John on October 16 from 7 to 10 pm, with a back-up
date the following evening,
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
