Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 5 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, February 5, 2017 (Sunday)

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor nelson@nb.sympatico.ca Please advise if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

** I’m attaching two photos that didn’t get included yesterday, that Louise Nichols got of one of the SNOWY OWLS [Harfang des neiges] on the Tantramar Marsh on Friday and of the awesome sunset that they and the rest of us present were able to enjoy.

** Dave Christie reports that one of his overwintering WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] was singing again on Saturday. It had polished off some of its songs to near spring and summer quality, but also included one version that was hardly recognizable. Dave also heard a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE [Mésange à tête noire] singing on Saturday. The air may have been cool but with no wind and a strong sun got these birds thinking of times to come, sooner than we may think.

** Brian Stone took some photos of a very co-operative and maybe inquisitive SHORT-TAILED WEASEL [Hermine] at the Irishtown Nature Park on Saturday. They usually don’t stay still that long. It didn’t choose to show its signature black tail tip.

Brian also came across a few PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] checking out some dropped seed at the Irishtown park, and a flock of approximately 100 SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] on the Indian Mountain Road.

** Fred Richards, who is the kingpin behind construction of the nesting boxes for the Nature Moncton swallow box project advises that 27 boxes are completed and more will roll off the assembly line soon, in preparation for the workshop on March 18. Many are already reserved but some still are available for potential landlords. If interested, respond to this e-mail with your name, the number wanted, your e-mail address, and telephone number. Roger LeBlanc has also contributed greatly to the prompt assembly and success of this nest box program.

** Composer Mark Lloyd has made another relaxing music video, with most of it using the Sackville Waterfowl Park; many of the photos featured are those of Anna Tucker. Enjoy it at the attached URL.

https://youtu.be/P5pf6vxPkXk

** Steve and Rose Dernier on the Irishtown Road have had CLIFF SWALLOWS [Hirondelle à front blanc] return for some years to place their nests on window ledges and a bracket placed on the garage for them. Last summer their numbers were down somewhat. On Feb. 1, when Steve was taking down a man-made clay nest we were trying out, he noticed some moving insects. With some photos and guidance from Bugguide they were identified as AMERICAN SWALLOW BUGS (Oeciacus vicarius) that are generally associated with Cliff Swallow nests, but recently reported on BARN SWALLOW [Hirondelle rustique] and PURPLE MARTIN [Hirondelle noire]. They assemble in empty swallow boxes in April to get their blood meal from arriving swallows, then promptly lay eggs that hatch to develop quickly. In winter, they seek alternate hosts like mice and other birds, and potentially humans, and they can survive in cold temperatures for a year without foot. They are considered the number one cause of young swallow mortality. I personally spray nest boxes in early spring with a shot of the insecticide pyrethrin that is considered to be safe for birds but eliminates these insects. I understand that a teaspoon of diatomaceous earth in the nest also takes care of these insects. A point to consider for the nest box workshop coming up.

For the first time I ever had it happen, a TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] pair nested twice last season, but the second clutch all died in the box. I wonder now if this insect was the reason. I wish now that I had examined the contents more closely. These insects are not associated with swallows in their South American wintering quarters.

** Roger Burrows offers some interesting thoughts on some photos that Carmella Melanson contributed in a recent edition, of some birds photographed in Halifax. Carmella commented that she was surprised to see an adult HERRING GULL [Goéland argenté] already with a clean, unstreaked head. It is a much earlier moult to summer plumage than usual. Roger comments that he is already seeing GREAT CORMORANTS [Grand Cormoran] already going into summer breeding plumage, and they nest about the same time as Herring Gulls do. For this early-moulted gull that Carmella noted, Roger mentions that American Herring Gulls were noted in Ireland last fall. The possibility exists that European Herring Gulls might have migrated this way with them. The Halifax area could be a first stop for them. These individuals would be in summer breeding plumage already. A thought to consider, especially with more LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS [Goéland brun] COMMON GULLS [], and BLACK-HEADED GULLS [Mouette rieuse] showing up in eastern North America over the past decade. The appearance of juvenile LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS [Goéland brun] recently suggests there is a breeding population nearer to us. Roger LeBlanc pointed out Greenland as the source at the recent gull workshop.

Bottom line: be aware that European Herring Gulls might appear here, and maybe already are.

Roger also points out with the AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique] x MALLARD [Canard colvert] hybrid cited, that a MALLARD [Canard colvert] x AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Canard noir] hybrid is hard to rule out due to the sloping head, yellow bill, orange feet and what appears to be a bluish speculum. He wonders if American Wigeon genes would produce a more abrupt forehead, smaller bluish bill, darker feet and a green speculum. Hybrids are surely open to interpretation at times. The photo is re-attached for perusal.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton