Nature Moncton Nature News: May 29 2017

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

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** Dave Christie reports two interesting situations that he encountered in his Mary's Point yard on Sunday. When he went out in the morning to re-fill the feeders, approximately 30 CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] lifted off from a line of birch trees and flew off to the northeast, presumably continuing their migration. In the early evening, he heard a tremendous racket from about 30 BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] all in one area. Dave followed it to its source and saw a large raptor fly off. He didn’t get a good look at it, but from its size and back coloration it may have been an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour des palombes]. The Blue Jays followed it for a ways but then, with mission accomplished, resumed their day.

** Ray Gauvin got up close and personal with his RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis], with a close-up of a male and female. The red blush on the female’s throat is reflection from the feeder.

** Melissa Fulton, from Nature New Brunswick, forwarded two files to augment the recent workshop she gave to Nature Moncton. One is on solitary bee houses, and the other is on wildlife structures. I can attach them to the membership e-mail with no problem, but don’t think I can attach them to the blogspot, which will mean that many NatureNB subscribers will not be able to access them. For anyone who wants them, e-mail me and I will send them to you.

** Aldo Dorio got photos of an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Canard noir] with ducklings at Hay Island on Sunday. Black Ducks and Mallards seem to be get the jump on new arrivals in the waterfowl group. Aldo also got a photo from the underside of a NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] that nicely shows the brilliant yellow undertail and breast spotting.

** Ruth Ricker LeBlanc, Danny Sullivan and Brian Stone had a great day on Sunday, visiting what most of us know as Bell Marsh, La Voie Tucker Street Ducks Unlimited impoundment, the Salisbury lagoons area, and a visit to the RED FOX [Renard roux] family at Royal Oaks subdivision. They found lots of action to photograph. Special among the birds was the hard-to-see VIRGINIA RAIL [Râle de Virginie], a SORA [Marouette de Caroline], an AMERICAN REDSTART [Paruline flamboyante] male, YELLOW WARBLER [Paruline jaune] male, CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] with goslings, MALLARD [Canard colvert] ducklings, and lots more. At the Royal Oaks fox den they were able to see 3 of the reported 6 fox kits there. They are getting noticeably large now. Brian got a video clip of one having brunch that can be seen at

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k2a33pt4w5qws4r/Fox%20cub%20eating%2002.MOV?dl=0 It’s hard to tell what it is enjoying, so guesses are invited.

Bell Marsh has been known by this name for a very long time but there is a Ducks Unlimited sign up in one section that identifies it as Wilson Marsh. We will continue to use Bell Marsh as everyone in the naturalist community seems to know it as that.

** I don’t know if this is the case throughout New Brunswick, but I’m finding that TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] seem slow to start nest box activity in the Miramichi area. I have several boxes up in which they seemed to start up ten days ago, then the cool period really slowed the action. Many of them are being used but there’s not the usual buzz of activity. I do have an AMERICAN KESTREL [Crécerelle d'Amérique] box up, which was taken by a pair in April. One is constantly around the box. It is in a well-travelled area but they are very wary when a vehicle slows down for a look at them.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton