Nature Moncton Nature
News
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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
Please advise the editor
at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com, as well as proofreader nicholsl@eastlink.ca, if any errors are noted in wording or photo
labelling.
Proofreading courtesy of
Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca
** This week’s Nature Moncton Wednesday
Walk is posted below:
Date: July 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Where: Salisbury Highland Park
– Braemar to Parkin Trail Extension
Meeting Place: Parking area at
the end of MacDonald Road.
Leaders: Paul & Rhonda
Langelaan
Directions: From the highway,
take the Salisbury exit by the Big Stop and head down Route 112 (Fredericton Road) toward the Town
of Salisbury. Turn right on Main Street and continue to the first road on the
left past the Pizza Mill (MacDonald Road). At the end of MacDonald Road there is an
unpaved section where we can park.
Description: Salisbury
Highland Park has a vast diversity of habitats harboring over 175 species of
birds over the years. This park is the perfect spot to nest for many species of
birds, most notably the Baltimore orioles, Eastern warbling vireos, and many
marsh species. Highland Park is a decommissioned water treatment lagoon that
runs along the Petitcodiac River. This walk will be guided by bird enthusiasts
Paul and Rhonda Langelaan. They will be leading us on approximately 2 KM of
fairly easy trails.
Bug spray and protective
clothing are recommended as we will be walking along wetlands. All are welcome,
Nature Moncton members or not. If you are a member, don’t forget to wear your
name tag.
**Louise
Nichols and Brian Stone went on a quest on Monday afternoon to visit the bog in
the White Birch impoundments in Sackville. They were searching for the
uncommon northern blue butterfly, which is normally found in bogs, but
surprisingly, they found one on the road leading to the bog and did not find
any in the bog, at least none that could be confirmed. Louise attaches a
couple of photos of this butterfly as well as some other butterflies and skippers they came across on
their walk through the area.
(Editor’s note: In one day, Louise photographed some skippers we don't often get to see up close at one location. Note the skippers are all labelled as skippers and not always butterflies (depending on the source) as they actually belong to their own distinct family Hesperiidae and are often considered to have characteristics of both true butterflies and moths (Lepdoptera). Skippers are relatively small, but most are colourful and easily seen. A few quick clues to identify skippers as such is the crochet hook at the end of the antennae instead of the club shape that butterflies have. They have a quick, bouncy flight that has led to the name skipper. They tend to rest with their forewings and hindwings held at different angles whereas most true butterflies nest with their wings held vertically together over their backs.
Maybe more
than you want to know about skippers, but they are a very important part of our
pollinating community!)
**Jane
LeBlanc had to remove the netting that she had put over her haskap berries, as
the cedar waxwings were getting caught in it. It was easier to just pick the
berries!
Today, she
noticed American robins, gray catbirds, and cedar waxwings eating her
red-berried elderberries. She says they are welcome to them.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
