Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 11 2016

** Sterling and Judy Marsh got a surprise while canoeing on Silver Lake at Sackville on Saturday, when a COMMON GARTER SNAKE [Couleuvre rayée] swam up beside them and then swam on past; photos captured this event.

Sterling also got a photo of a BROAD-WINGED HAWK [Petite Buse] perched on a utility line, very likely with a migratory flight plan in mind this time of year.

** Dave Christie left some observations from the Mary's Point area. A few weeks ago, numerous RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis] were buzzing his feeders, but on Friday only two dropped by, and Saturday there were none, although he did see one nectaring on flowers near the interpretive centre.

Shorebirds in the area have dropped to approximately 1000 per day, and LEAST SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau minuscule] are now the predominant species, with SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS' [Bécasseau semipalmé] presence considerably reduced. However, SANDERLINGS [Bécasseau sanderling] are now at about 100, and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS [Pluvier argenté] not more than a hundred in the last week. PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] activity continues around the shorebirds and the sudden visit of a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] created commotion among the patrons in his feeder yard .

** Brian Stone shares a few nice photos from his visit to Kejimkujik National Park of creatures also common in New Brunswick at the moment. MEADOWHAWK [Sympétrum spp.] dragonflies fly nicely in the warmth of September. Brian’s photos show the yellow females and the bright red males, which applies to many meadowhawk species, also a nice portrait of a VARIABLE DANCER [Argie violacée] damselfly is attached.

** A very rewarding pelagic trip took place off Grand Manan on Saturday, with Captain Russell Ingalls on the “Island Bound.” There was incredibly fortunate weather, giving calm waters and warm temperatures for September 10th. Lots of prizes and observations were to be had. Alain Clavette was instrumental in spotting several of the best prizes. By the sound of shutters clicking, many hundreds of photos recorded the event. Several Nature Moncton members were on board. Grandson Matt and I were among them. I’m attaching photos that capture some of the whale action, NORTHERN FULMAR [Fulmar boréal], CORY’S SHEARWATER [Puffin cendré], STORM-PETRELS [Océanites] and a surprise BLUE SHARK [Requin bleu] that came to sample the mackerel chum being used to attract the birds. Matt got some video on his cell phone, which can be seen on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apcStrRelXc

It was a very successful day, with many thanks to Alain Clavette and Roger LeBlanc for making the arrangements.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton