Nature Moncton Nature News: July 25 2016

** Kerry Lee Morris-Cormier, manager of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s shorebird interpretation centre at Johnsons Mills reports that the number of SANDPIPERS [bécasseaux] there increased greatly over the weekend. Up to 10,000 were visible from the site on Sunday. Dozens of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS [Pluvier semipalmé] were also present, with PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] activity seen and heard frequently.

** Dave Christie reports that he spent an hour and a half at the Mary's Point beach just before and after high tide on Sunday, with few shorebirds there at that time, except for a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS [Pluvier semipalmé].

Dave mentions that while driving past the Lars Larsen Marsh in heavy rain Sunday at 11 p.m., he encountered a large movement of FROGS [grenouilles] on the road and had to be careful not to drive over them. He encountered a similar scenario June 29, when he was able to stop to check the species, which were numerous GREEN FROGS [Grenouille verte] and one AMERICAN TOAD [Crapaud d’Amérique]. BULLFROGS [Ouaouaron] were calling from the pond; they appear to be a recent arrival at the Larsen Marsh, because he often hears them there now, but never or very seldom in the past.

** Ray Gauvin shares a photo of a RED ADMIRAL [Vulcain] butterfly, as well as a REDCROSS STINKBUG (also known as Red-Cross Shield Bug [Punaise à croix rouge]. Most stinkbugs have this characteristic shape.

** One of our native bees that we tend to hear little of is the SWEAT BEE (Family Halictidae). Brian Stone got photos of one from three angles on July 20. There are many species of sweat bees that are mostly ground or rotting log nesters and are often solitary or in small groups, and are valuable pollinators.

Brian came across a GROUNDHOG/WOODCHUCK [Marmotte commune] in Mapleton Park; instead of moving away on land, as they usually do, it decided to take refuge in a tree. A MUSKRAT [Rat musqué] was also enjoying its day in the park. It always amazes me what Brian stirs up in Mapleton Park.

** Bonnie and Dave Miller share a few photos of birds they saw during a journey across Canada. They include AMERICAN AVOCET [Avocette d’Amérique], AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN [Pélican d'Amérique], WESTERN GREBE [Grèbe élégant], WESTERN MEADOWLARK [Sturnelle de l’ouest], FRANKLIN'S GULLS [Mouette de Franklin], and a few more to add tomorrow when they have been identified.

** I am re-attaching a photo submitted by Alain Clavette of a RUFF [Combattant varié] he located at the Amherst sewage ponds on July 20. The written words on the photo were cropped out, as photos are not normally put on the Blogspot with writing on them. Alain points out that this is illegal to do to one of his copyright photos, and also to advise that it was Alain who found this bird. Alain’s original photo is attached as submitted, in respect of a great birder and a contributor to the naturalist community. My apologies for the error in judgment.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton