Nature Moncton Nature
News
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**Brian Stone enjoyed the excellent
Nature Moncton Wednesday Night Walk last evening led excellently by Louise
Nichols in the warm but occasionally breezy weather at the Ward Marsh (White
Birch impoundment) outside Sackville. The mosquitoes were a nuisance, but
everyone had a great time trying to get views and photos of the many bird
species that presented themselves to the participants. Special sightings were a
high-flying common nighthawk and a male northern harrier that sat on a lawn just
a bit too far away for a decent photo, but many documentary ones were
attempted. Palm warblers, eastern kingbirds, eastern phoebes, and
many other species were noted, and photos will eventually be sent when
processed.
NATURE MONCTON WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALK. AUGUST 05, 2026. BRIAN STONE
Hudson Rogers shares some
of his comments and photos from the Wednesday evening walk. There were a lot of
mosquitoes but also a lot of birds.
Hudson got an excellent
photo of a common nighthawk showing the signature bold white bars across
the primaries and the long, pointed wings.
He photographed the huge flock of red-winged blackbirds they saw. There were at least a thousand, probably more.
There was also a pair of Eastern kingbirds that followed them for a bit along the dyke, with one posing in a snag tree for a photograph.
There were a few bald
eagles, and they heard bobolinks as well.
Hudson captured a documentary photo of a palm warbler, and the Merlin app suggested another documentary photo to be blue-winged teal.
**John Inman shares some
observations from his Harvey yard. He captured a quick photo of an Empidonax
flycatcher which AI suggested to be a willow flycatcher. With the Empidonax
flycatchers, normally hearing the vocalization is the only way to differentiate
these look-alikes with certainty. John would like to confirm the possibility, as it would make a whopping 212 species on his yard list!
John also photographed a bald-faced
hornet, a honeybee, and a monarch butterfly caterpillar.
**Nature
Moncton activities committee has a double bill of activities lined up on
invasive species later this week with all the details below with a Zoom
presentation that will start off happening tonight, Thursday night.
Nature Moncton & New Brunswick Invasive
Species Council Present:
Japanese Knotweed Information Webinar
Thursday, August 6 | 7:00 PM
Webinar link: https://zoom.us/j/97975005751?pwd=uZlObs5ifbbIJFOebyLDBoUBezav6Y.1
Join the New Brunswick Invasive Species
Council (NBISC) for an evening exploring one of New Brunswick's most widespread
invasive plants—Japanese knotweed—and how we can work together to manage
it.
This hour-long presentation will provide an
introduction to invasive species and how to prevent their spread,
with a focus on the biology, identification, impacts, and management of
Japanese knotweed. We'll also discuss the stewardship work planned
for the Riverfront Trail volunteer event on August 9.
Whether you're planning to volunteer at the
stewardship event or are simply interested in learning more about invasive
species management, this session will provide valuable background and practical
knowledge. There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Japanese Knotweed Stewardship Event
Sunday, August 9 | 10:00 AM
Put your new knowledge into practice by joining Nature
Moncton and the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council for a hands-on Japanese
knotweed removal event along the Riverfront Trail in Moncton.
Working together, we'll use manual
cut-and-dig techniques to reduce a localized infestation and improve
conditions for native vegetation. Before work begins, NBISC staff will
provide a safety briefing and demonstrate the removal methods to ensure
everyone feels comfortable and confident.
No previous experience is required—all
tools and training will be provided. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy
closed-toe footwear, long pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and to bring a
reusable water bottle. Work gloves are recommended if you have them, although
extras will be available.
We will meet
in the parking lot outside La Bikery at 10 AM and walk together to the site.
Those showing up after 10 can meet us at the site, along the trail behind
Premier Suites (46.08811970024027, -64.77192163121025)
We hope you'll join us for one or both
events as we work together to protect and restore Moncton's natural areas.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
