Nature Moncton Nature News: May 19 2016

** Pat Fox and Heather Silliker are very fortunate to have a pair of WOOD DUCKS [Canard branchu] preparing their nest in the top of a snag tree on their Upper Coverdale property. Both genders are very busy at work excavating at the moment. The nesting site is actually quite close to a pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS [Grand pic], a double yard bonus.

** Ray Gauvin was photographing his blooming Magnolia tree out an upper window of his home when a NORTHERN PARULA [Paruline à collier] entered the scene, searching for insect fodder. It made for some interesting photos that are shared.

** Jean-Paul and Stella Leblanc watched a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] tossing material out of a hole in a dead tree, preparing a nest, on Wednesday. They also got a nice photo of a BLUE-HEADED VIREO [Viréo à tête bleue].

** Louise Nichols has a NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] nest near her Sackville yard. She has spotted them going in and out of the tree. Louise comments on how amazingly quiet they are around the nest, which is very near their house on a pathway often used. Louise also had a BALTIMORE ORIOLE [Oriole de Baltimore] visit her yard on Wednesday. She put out an orange section for it, which it did not take, but instead it went to the suet feeder and also sampled the Hummingbird nectar and some seed. Baltimore Orioles surely come in a variety of plumages. Louise's nice photo suggests it to be an immature bird.

** Yet more EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] have appeared on the scene. Roger Leblanc has a pair that are taking a nest box for their summer cottage at his Notre Dame site.

** Kim Wilmot has spotted a predominately white EUROPEAN STARLING [Étourneau sansonnet] on the Valley Ranch Rd., off the Ammon Rd. on Wednesday. She was unable to get a photo, but assumed it to be a partial albino bird.

** Gordon Rattray did a short outing in the Hillsborough area to note many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS [Paruline à croupion jaune] and AMERICAN REDSTARTS [Paruline flamboyante] on Wednesday. He was also able to get a photo of a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT [Paruline masquée] as well as a BARN SWALLOW [Hirondelle rustique] from his Albert Mines farm.

** Aldo Dorio got a few nice photos of a GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat] from an under view to nicely show the signature chestnut under tail covert. Aldo also got a photo of a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER [Paruline noir et blanc] heading down a tree branch, as they frequently do, as well as a photo of a striking male NORTHERN PINTAIL [Canard pilet] duck.

** It sure seems to be getting late for tarrying AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien], but Clarence Cormier still has one in his Grande Digue yard as of Tuesday, May 16.

** Brian Stone spent time in Anne Marsch's active yard on Wednesday to capture lots of photos. The EASTERN CHIPMUNKS [Suisse] have Don Marsch well trained to offer peanuts. A NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] pair were working on a nest hole, which is interesting to get photos of two different sites in one day. A NORWAY MAPLE in bloom, a pink MAGNOLIA in bloom, RED MAPLE leaves emerging after flowering, a female PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré], and a nice PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] photo. It seems to be an unusual scenario this year. The flocks of Pine Siskins seem to be arriving at feeder yards in early spring and staying. This nomadic species seems to be choosing New Brunswick to stay in this summer. It is the most abundant bird at our Miramichi feeders at approximately forty individuals.

Brian also found another FIREFLY larva, aka "Glowworm", on a Maple Tree in his home back yard.

** The Nature New Brunswick "Festival of Nature" is coming up on the weekend of May 28 at Dalhousie. A silent auction is an important part of this weekend as a fund raiser for Nature New Brunswick. Members are encouraged to donate good nature related items, or to ask any retail establishments if they would like to donate something. Some letters are attached that explain it, and David Cannon has offered to pick up any items to go to the auction. David can be reached by email at david.cannon@rogers.com, or phone David at 855-0755.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca