NATURE MONCTON'S NATURE LINE, November 25, 2016 (Friday)
Please advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca. if any errors
are noted in wording or photo labelling.
For more information on Nature Moncton, check into the website at www.naturemoncton.com
Edited by : Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
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editor nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
** Dave Christie reports he heard the vocalization of a DICKCISSEL
[Dickcissel d'Amérique] when tending his bird feeders on Thursday morning to
spot one in an apple tree surveying the feeder area. It had very little yellow
on it, so Dave suspected it to be an immature bird. Dave had to leave for other
commitments, so he did not see whether the bird actually came to the feeders.
But for sure one was attracted by the bird activity and is in the area.
** Bob Surette got a few quick photos of a SHORT-TAILED WEASEL [Belette à
courte queue] that paid a visit to their Scoudouc yard this week. It is very
ready for snow with its white pelage. The photos don't show it, but the tip of
the tail would be black. Always a treat to see this fast-moving little
mammal.
** Kathy and Harold Popma had a GREAT HORNED OWL [Grand-duc d'Amérique]
perch itself in a Spruce tree in their Sackville yard garden area on Thursday,
staying for the day, seemingly concealed enough as evidenced by a photo Kathy
got of it, to attract little attention from harassing Crows and so had a restful
day.
** Aldo Dorio continues to see COMMON REDPOLLS [Sizerin flammé] on Hay
Island, noting a flock of 8 on Thursday, foraging on White Birch catkins.
** Several of us were in the Albert County area on Thursday, and when in
deeper Albert County, a stop at John Inman's lively feeder yard at 221 Mary's
Pt. Rd. is always indicated. It was mostly expected regulars coming and going
while we were there, but John shares some excellent photos of some of the recent
action in his yard. His yard is frequently monitored by NORTHERN GOSHAWKS
[Autour des palombes] that are very interested in his large number of MOURNING
DOVES [Tourterelle triste] and the RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de Colchide] in
the area. He had some printed photos he loaned to us which Carmella Melanson
scanned that are attached, including an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour des
palombes], a mature NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour des palombes] and one of the three
PINE WARBLERS [Paruline des pins] he's had recently. John had many other great
photos which he's happy to share and an effort is in progress to get them
transferred and shared as John works on his internet connection.
** Nature Moncton members get a 10% discount off bird-feeding related
products at J & P Farm Services near the corner of Edinburgh and Berry Mills
Rd. in Moncton. John's Garden Centre at 890 Hillsborough Rd. carries
bird-feeding supplies as well and now Nature Moncton members can get a 10%
discount off any bird-feeding related products there. An up-to-date membership
card is required to get the discount. A new type of membership card is being
drawn up which will have the date changed yearly that can be used at these
outlets to get these discounts. In the meantime, the older updated cards can be
used.
** This weeks's Sky-at-Glance is added to this edition, courtesy of Curt
Nason.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 26 – December
3
This is a good time to do some mid-evening whale watching. Around 9 pm the large constellation of Cetus the Whale is well placed for viewing in the southern sky. Many of its stars are not particularly bright so it can be elusive, but you can piece it together in a fairly dark sky. The eastern side of the square of Pegasus is a handy arrow that points down toward Diphda, the brightest star in Cetus. Also called Deneb Kaitos, “the tail of the whale,” it anchors a pentagram of stars forming the rear half of Cetus below dim Pisces. A circlet of stars to the upper left is the whale’s head, and you can pick out the rest of the body between the pentagram and the circlet.
In mythology Cetus represents the fierce sea monster created by Poseidon to ravage the coastal area of Ethiopia as punishment for Queen Cassiopeia’s bragging. Her daughter Andromeda, the object of Cassiopeia’s pride, was chained to a rock at the seashore as a sacrifice to make the monster go away. Perseus, a son of Zeus and a mortal woman, was homeward bound on the back of Pegasus after slaying the Gorgon Medusa when he chanced upon Andromeda’s plight. He rescued the princess by using Medusa’s head to turn the monster to stone. And there was much rejoicing.
A star of note to the left of Diphda is Tau Ceti ( τ Cet); notable not for its brightness but as a Sun-like star known to be surrounded by a dense debris disc and at least five planets. It is one of the closest stars to us at a distance of 12 light years, and one targeted by the SETI program to search for signs of extraterrestrial life. Tau Ceti has figured prominently in science fiction stories by Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Larry Niven and many others. Star Trek TV shows and movies also made use of Tau Ceti, and a young Jane Fonda visited there on a diplomatic mission in the movie Barbarella, which was enjoyed by many young lads.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:36 am and sunset will occur at 4:38 pm, giving 9 hours, 2 minutes of daylight (7:38 am and 4:45 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:44 am and set at 4:34 pm, giving 8 hours, 50 minutes of daylight (7:46 am and 4:42 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new on Tuesday so look for a slender crescent about 12 degrees above the southwestern horizon a half hour after sunset on Thursday. Mercury will be about 8 degrees below it. Two days later the Moon will be the same distance above Venus, providing a good opportunity to spot Venus before sunset. Mars resembles a solitary orange star within Capricornus and sets around 9:45 pm, while Jupiter dominates the morning sky in the southeast. Saturn is on solar hiatus for a while.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre on December 3 at 7 pm. All are welcome and it is free.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
This is a good time to do some mid-evening whale watching. Around 9 pm the large constellation of Cetus the Whale is well placed for viewing in the southern sky. Many of its stars are not particularly bright so it can be elusive, but you can piece it together in a fairly dark sky. The eastern side of the square of Pegasus is a handy arrow that points down toward Diphda, the brightest star in Cetus. Also called Deneb Kaitos, “the tail of the whale,” it anchors a pentagram of stars forming the rear half of Cetus below dim Pisces. A circlet of stars to the upper left is the whale’s head, and you can pick out the rest of the body between the pentagram and the circlet.
In mythology Cetus represents the fierce sea monster created by Poseidon to ravage the coastal area of Ethiopia as punishment for Queen Cassiopeia’s bragging. Her daughter Andromeda, the object of Cassiopeia’s pride, was chained to a rock at the seashore as a sacrifice to make the monster go away. Perseus, a son of Zeus and a mortal woman, was homeward bound on the back of Pegasus after slaying the Gorgon Medusa when he chanced upon Andromeda’s plight. He rescued the princess by using Medusa’s head to turn the monster to stone. And there was much rejoicing.
A star of note to the left of Diphda is Tau Ceti ( τ Cet); notable not for its brightness but as a Sun-like star known to be surrounded by a dense debris disc and at least five planets. It is one of the closest stars to us at a distance of 12 light years, and one targeted by the SETI program to search for signs of extraterrestrial life. Tau Ceti has figured prominently in science fiction stories by Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Larry Niven and many others. Star Trek TV shows and movies also made use of Tau Ceti, and a young Jane Fonda visited there on a diplomatic mission in the movie Barbarella, which was enjoyed by many young lads.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:36 am and sunset will occur at 4:38 pm, giving 9 hours, 2 minutes of daylight (7:38 am and 4:45 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:44 am and set at 4:34 pm, giving 8 hours, 50 minutes of daylight (7:46 am and 4:42 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new on Tuesday so look for a slender crescent about 12 degrees above the southwestern horizon a half hour after sunset on Thursday. Mercury will be about 8 degrees below it. Two days later the Moon will be the same distance above Venus, providing a good opportunity to spot Venus before sunset. Mars resembles a solitary orange star within Capricornus and sets around 9:45 pm, while Jupiter dominates the morning sky in the southeast. Saturn is on solar hiatus for a while.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre on December 3 at 7 pm. All are welcome and it is free.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
Cetus
GREAT HORNED OWL. KATHY POPMA. NOV. 24, 2016
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (ADULT) NOV 2016.JOHN INMAN.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (ADULT) NOV 2016.JOHN INMAN.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (IMMATURE) NOV 2016.JOHN INMAN.
PINE WARBLER. NOV 2016.JOHN INMAN.
RED FOX.NOV 24, 2016.ALDO DORIOJPG
REDPOLL FORAGING ON WHITE BIRTH CATKINS.NOV 24, 2016.ALDO DORIO
WEASEL.NOV 21, 2016.BOB SURETTE.
WEASEL.NOV 21, 2016.BOB SURETTE.
