Nature Moncton Nature News: May 4 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 04, 2017 ( Thursday )

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

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Janet Kempster found an adult LAUGHING GULL [Mouette atricille] at Little Lepreau on Wednesday. Janet got some great documentary photos to show some identification features of this gull that we don't often see in New Brunswick, however they are becoming very common not all that far south of us. This is a breeding adult showing reddish bill, reddish/black legs, white arcs around the eyes, a medium gray mantle, just slightly smaller than a Ring-billed Gull in one photo and notably smaller than an immature Herring Gull with it in another photo. The flight photo shows the large, dark primary area on the wing underside with no evidence of white windows showing.

** Wednesday afternoon surely was RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] arrival day in lower Albert County. Pat Martin had her first one arrive to her waiting feeder at Dennis Beach at 3:00 pm. Then at 5:00 pm David Christie had three arrive at his feeder that included two males and one female. At near the same time John Inman had two, and possibly three, arrive at his feeders. Everyone should have all their feeders out and waiting to refuel all the new arrivals expected over the next few days. The ominous forecast for the weekend may mean a wet arrival for some. David also comments on the high number of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] in his area, as Louise Nichols does as well.

** Louise Nichols comments that the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant à gorge blanche] numbers in her Sackville yard are surprising. At one point on Wednesday morning she counted twenty one in flower beds and below or at feeders. Louise says that the the real tally was probably more. They were vocalizing loudly on Wednesday evening.

** Gordon Rattray got some nice photos of an EASTERN PHOEBE [Moucherolle phébi] that posed for him as it arrived in his Albert Mines yard. This pleasant Flycatcher should be nicely established in the area by now and they should be getting their summer cottages ready.

** Aldo Dorio spotted a lingering COMMON REDPOLL [Sizerin flammé] at Hay Island on Wednesday. It appears to be still foraging on birch catkins. His yard male EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] is surely showing its brilliant plumage.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton