Nature Moncton Nature News: May 22 2016

** Georges Brun is noting some interesting activity on the Petitcodiac River near Halls Creek. A BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] caught a good-sized fish, the identity of which we will work on later, as Georges also saw swirling movements in the water that suggest fish spawning, which could be very relevant as the river wildlife community swells. Also, a breeding plumage RED-THROATED LOON [Plongeon catmarin] was fishing in the area.

** Gabriel Gallant reports some excellent activity around his Ste-Marie-de-Kent yard. Both TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] and BARN SWALLOWS [Hirondelle rustique] are now present as well as one EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] that arrived on Friday and was still present on Saturday. Three BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] arrived a few days ago. At least 3 AMERICAN WOODCOCK [Bécasse d'Amérique] are performing mating rituals at dusk, in and around his yard. A WILSON'S SNIPE [Bécassine de Wilson] is being noted over a neighbour's field, and an AMERICAN BITTERN [Butor d'Amérique] is heard each morning, calling from the local beaver pond. AMERICAN TOADS [Crapaud d'Amérique] have started trilling the last four nights, and Gabriel identified a GRAY COMMA [Polygone gris] butterfly recently. A very lively spot!

** Brian Stone was in the Titusville area on Saturday and captured some nice photos of BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER [Paruline à gorge noire], NORTHERN PARULA [Paruline à collier], OVENBIRD [Paruline couronnée], MAGNOLIA WARBLER [Paruline à tête cendrée] that were all in song in the warmth of a beautiful day. Also a SNOWSHOE HARE [ Lièvre d'Amérique] now in its complete summer pelage versus its winter, white wardrobe. A nice photo of a PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] pair side by side showing the very different plumage of the two genders. However, year-old males retain plumage similar to the female until their second fall.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton