Nature Moncton Nature News: July 12 2016

** The awesome LUNA MOTH [Papillon lune] never fails to amaze when it is spotted day perching. Paul and Roxanne Tolley share a photo of one they came across in their yard, with an interesting comparison to the size of a cell phone.

** Brian Stone and I had a rewarding day sleuthing the area from Taylor Rd., near Salisbury, to the Sackville area where we were joined by Louise Nichols on Monday, after the rain let up. We had Black-backed Woodpecker and Spruce Grouse in mind on the Taylor Rd., and got shut out on these species, but as usual the road had lots to share. It was a real surprise to find several COMMON NIGHTHAWKS [Engoulevent d'Amérique] hawking insects in mid afternoon. Not sure of the reason for their midday foraging as usually we don't see that scenario until mid August when they are in migration.

Lots of butterflies started to fly as the afternoon warmed to include SKIPPERS [Hespérie] , VICEROYS [Vice-roi] , SULPHURS [Coliade du trèfle] , WHITE ADMIRAL [Amiral] , EYED BROWNS [Satyre ocellé] , and others. A small pond along the road ( Taylor ) had surprising amphibian and minnow activity that will be checked out further with minnow traps. A small bog was checked out to find the CALOPOGON ORCHID as the sole orchid in bloom. Some of them were closing their top lips as they do when they mature. SHEEP LAUREL was very much in bloom, but no sign of Bog Laurel there. Damsel and Dragonflies were also coming to life.

On to Sackville to check out the White Birch Ducks Unlimited Impoundment, entering from the Upper Aboujagane RD. All the expected duck and frog activity was there, but the BLACK TERNS [Guifette noire] were the main event. Again hard to put numbers on, but there were lots to watch as they foraged, seemingly carrying food to the apparent nesting area in the cattails at the southern end of the impoundment.

There was a lot of Bobolink activity with females being seen flying around and agitated males to suggest near fledging birds. A pair of Cedar Waxwings were noted gathering suspected nesting material as this species is a late season nester.

A visit to the Tantramar Marsh in later evening for Short-eared Owls was as well a main event. There was the gradual changing of the guard from many NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard Saint-Martin] to SHORT-EARED OWLS [Hibou des marais] starting at approximately 8:30 pm. By 9:15 a significant number of Short-eared Owls were flying. We saw them from the High Marsh Rd. near the old corral area and along the Coles Island Rd. to the CBC towers. Again numbers were hard to judge, but the numbers were significant by 9:30 and we were hearing some loud hissing sounds between them.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca