Nature Moncton Nature News: May 31 2016

** Aldo Dorio got a very nice photo of a MAGNOLIA WARBLER [Paruline à tête cendrée], from underneath, to very nicely show the horizontal split black and white undertail. He also got a photo of a WILLET [Chevalier semipalmé] at Hay Island, as well as a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argenté].

** En route from the Dalhousie Festival of Nature, Annette and Brian Stone, and Pat and I returned via Route 11 through Grande Anse to have some very rewarding sightings. On a tip from Roger Dumarest we visited the Black Rock area. As Roger advised, look in the field before the Black Rock sign for SANDHILL CRANES [Grue du Canada], on Route 135, just off Route 11, near Pokeshaw. We saw one of the three Cranes that had been spotted previously there. This bird appeared to be approaching maturity in plumage.

Annette spotted a suspect two year old BLACK BEAR [Ours noir] grubbing in a nearby field.

At nearby Pokeshaw we were able to see the RAZORBILLS [Petit Pingouin] that had started using the sea stack there, along with BLACK GUILLEMOTS [Guillemot à miroir], DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS [Cormoran à aigrettes], and GULLS. A surprising number of BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] were vocalizing in the Black Rock area.

We also stopped at Hay Island briefly and saw four GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier]in one of the marsh ponds. Many SAVANNAH SPARROWS [Bruant des prés] were vocalizing, but no Nelson's Sparrows were heard yet. Now there is a good spot for them. A single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argenté]was seen, in an interesting plumage. Several WILLETS [Chevalier semipalmé] were noted, very actively vocalizing.

Some plants of interest noted during the tour of local waterfalls event at the Festival of Nature weekend were MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT FERN and EARLY CORALROOT ORCHID, with photos attached.

** A correction on a photo posted on May 28. The plant and berry labeled Wintergreen should be PARTRIDGE BERRY, Mitchella repens, and is re-sent out today. Note the white midrib in the leaf, and that double, whiteish stigma mark on the berry, to distinguish the Partridge Berry. Thanks to Richard Perron for noting this, and to Sean Blainey for confirming it.

** A photo of a LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING MOTH caterpillar is attached. This is a very common caterpillar encountered seemingly any time from spring to fall, so assume that they go through several cycles over the season.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca