Nature Moncton Nature News: May 28 2016

**Doreen Rossiter has had a male INDIGO BUNTING [Passerin indigo] visiting her Alma yard for the past few days. Nice to hear this species is in the area. We should be able to expect more.

**Dale Gaskin reports that while near the bank in Hillsborough on Friday he saw four CHIMNEY SWIFTS [Martinet ramoneur] flying over. He was joined by George Sinclair, who said he had seen approximately 100 Chimney Swifts going down a chimney in Albert recently, but did not recall the exact location.

**Gordon Rattray shares an excellent selection of flowering plants he observed on Friday in Albert County, to include HOBBLEBUSH [Bois d’orignal], SMALL FORGET-ME-NOT [Myosotis laxiflore], both PAINTED [Trille ondulé] and NODDING TRILLIUM [Trille penché], RHODORA [Rhododendron du Canada], PARTRIDGE BERRY (Mitchella repens) with last year’s fruit, and RED BANEBERRY [Pain de couleuvre].

**Anna Tucker visited the Sackville Waterfowl Park on Thursday to note RHODORA [Rhododendron du Canada] in full bloom, as it is in many places now, sporting its flowers before the leaves come on. She also photographed a protective pair of CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] with their goslings, as well as a male GREEN-WINGED TEAL [Sarcelle d'hiver].

**Brian Stone and I came across a flock of approximately 40 BONAPARTE'S GULLS [Mouette de Bonaparte] at Eel River Bar near Dalhousie on Friday evening. It was hard to study them as darkness was setting in, but we assumed all were immature and/or non-breeding birds. A variety of plumage was detected. Some documentary photos are attached.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton