Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 7, 2016

** Dave Christie reports lots of shorebird activity at Mary's Point, at high tide on Saturday. Some shorebirds were huddled in rows of seaweed on the beach, sheltering from the strong SW winds. Most observers were turned to the north, where huge flocks were frequently seen doing their aerial acrobatics along the Shepody Bay shore of the salt marsh. Dave estimated approximately 70,000 birds, presuming them to be predominantly SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau semipalmé]. The best spot from which to observe on Saturday was from a bench in the field below the interpretive centre. The show was a crowd pleaser, but distant.

On Friday, Dave noted a pair of COMMON WOOD-NYMPH [Satyre des prés] butterflies mating in that field.

** Jamie and Karen Burris were in the Hillsborough area on August 1, and got a nice photo of a VICEROY [Vice-roi] butterfly nectaring on Knapweed [centaurée], a CABBAGE WHITE [Piéride du chou] butterfly appearing to be depositing eggs on plantain, and a female GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY [Argynne cybèle] nectaring on their Riverview garden's patch of Swamp Milkweed [Asclépiade incarnata].

** Brian Stone is visiting family in Perth, Ontario, at the moment and got a photo of a HALLOWEEN PENNANT [Célithème géante]. I am attaching the photos as there is only one known record of this species from New Brunswick, and it’s not known whether that was a migrant or part of a local population. So, study the photos carefully and watch for this colourful dragonfly to appear in our province. Brian also got a nice photo of a GREEN FROG [Grenouille verte].

** Aldo Dorio photographed a GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat] fledgling on Saturday. Some finishing plumage touches are in progress. The reddish-orange undertail coverts show nicely.

** I was pleased to note my first MONARCH [Monarque] butterflies of the season, one at Carleton Park in Fredericton on Friday, and then two around a patch of Common Milkweed [Herbe à coton] beside Castle Iron Works, on Roger Street, just off Radio Street in Miramichi, near the VIA Rail station. There is a good number of milkweed plants near Castle Iron Works location and near the VIA Rail station. I hope to examine them for eggs and caterpillars to grow out and release.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton