Nature Moncton Nature News: May 17 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 17, 2017 (Wednesday)

Please advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Transcript by: Catherine Johnson johnson2@xplornet.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
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**A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS seem to be lingering about Louise Nichol's backyard Sackville pond. Louise erected one of the Ducks Unlimited boxes donated to Nature Moncton last year at the pond and wonders if they may use it. She has not seen them in it as yet but hopes they will consider it. Louise got photos of each gender at a distance. It is interesting to note the orange-yellow in the bill of the female that is present to some degree in all ages, to differentiate the genders in non-breeding plumage.

**Fred Dube was able to get a better photo of his LINCOLN'S SPARROW visitor to his Lower Coverdale yard with the better light of Tuesday. The distinct bib, fine striping, white throat and small chest dot show up beautifully. It seems to be staying around enjoying white millet with lots of CHIPPING SPARROWS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Fred is also seeing BLACK and WHITE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS around his yard as well as a pair of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS.

**Jean Renton was able to locate some of the TRUE MOREL MUSHROOMS this week in the Stilesville area. These are unfortunately not common in New Brunswick but a very delicious edible when found. Jean said she saw lots of FALSE MORELS as well but stayed away from that species as an edible. Jean comments the true MORELS were truly an edible delicacy.

**Julie Pellerin experienced a surprise scenario in the Cape Brule marsh behind her home. A BALD EAGLE kept attacking a duck in the marsh but seemingly not able to lift off with it. Julie watched the activity and soon realized the duck was actually a decoy. Suspect this BALD EAGLE could take Duck 101 Class over again!

Julie also comments on seeing several COMMON TERNS flying about the marsh and the Shediac Bay Watershed group have installed the nesting barge at Pointe-Du-Chene.

**Debbie Batog shares a very unexpected scenario she encountered at Port Hill, PEI. She spotted an OSPREY nest amongst some dead trees that separated some potato fields. She got out to get a photo. One of the osprey pair was obviously not amused. It flew directly at her, talons out and eyes dead on her. She comments it came within approximately 5 feet of her. The osprey effectively did its mission as Debbie was terrified dropping camera and falling in the scramble to get back into her car. She comments it was an experience she will never forget and needless to say left straight away when back in her car. It's an unusual scenario as usually the osprey seems so passive around their nests.

Debbie also sends some photos of her new specially designed bird feeders.

**Ray Gauvin was another who had a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW join his sparrow lineup in his Shediac yard. The florescent white head stripes and light coloured bill show up nicely.

**Dave Christie gives more information on the potential early nesting of PINE SISKIN as he recently experienced with a fledging in his Mary's Point yard. Data from the Maritimes Nest Record state as of 1991 indicated eggs on nest from late April to August for that species. In Birds of North America on the pine siskin it indicates principle nesting months across the United States have been reported from March, April and to a lesser extent May. Successful nesting in cold climates is facilitated by a well insulated nest and the female providing nearly uninterrupted incubation by receiving food from the male.

**Aldo Dorio shares a few pictures of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS in Tabusintac. One photo shows the double crest on each side of the head to give this bird its name. The other shows the breeding colors of the head up close.

Aldo also got another photo of the BULL MOOSE he has been seeing from the back end. It clearly shows the denuded areas on the shoulder and back from winter ticks and assume that there be some natural shedding change to summer pelage as well. These ticks that live on moose in winter are very host specific to moose and no problem for humans nor other animals. This is also the case for the ticks seen on SNOWSHOE HARE especially in the face and the ear area at the moment.

**I am attaching a few photos of our first male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK of the season. Have not seen Mrs. but she may be incognito.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton