Nature Moncton Nature News: May 8 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 8, 2017 (Monday)

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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)

** WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS [Bruant à couronne blanche] continue to pass through. John Filliter had one visit his Cap-Brûlé yard on Sunday. I had one as well, on Sunday, but it was not in the mood for photos as John’s was.

** Gordon Rattray reports that heavy rainfall flooded all the marshes in the Gray Brook area of Hillsborough as well and much of the lowlands on the south side of the highway. Water reached the edge of Route 114 in this area, which means that water levels are up nearly a metre in the marshes and ponds. There will be a huge loss of nests. Many CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] are showing distress and this will be extended to multiple nests of AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS [Canard noir], MALLARDS [Canard colvert] and AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d’Amérique]. The holding ponds below may not be as bad.

** Dale Gaskin is pleased to have the first male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] at his feeder as the day broke on Monday morning. The bird enjoyed feeding solo before competitors arrive.

** Xue Lei and Li Hou visited Bell Marsh briefly on Sunday and were pleased to see a female EVENING GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant].

** Ray Gauvin had a female YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER [Paruline à croupion jaune] that was very interested in bird activity around his yard on Sunday. It did not feed but the activity sure got its attention during a half hour visit.

** Danny and Nicole Sullivan and Brian and Annette Stone made a run to the Cap-Pelé area on Sunday and saw a variety of nature’s activity. It was a bit surprising to find hatched tadpoles in a temporary pond. They all appeared to be WOOD FROGS [Grenouille des bois]. Salamanders could be a possibility as well, but I don’t see any with front side gills in the photos. In one spot, AMERICAN TOADS [Crapaud d'Amérique] were very active, calling and mating, and. Brian got some excellent photos. In a few, you can see the female toad laying the eggs in strands.They found both WILLET [Chevalier semipalmé] and GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier]. Two AM. PORCUPINES [Porc-épic d'Amérique] were enjoying the fresh green grass in a field, and a very active OSPREY [Balbuzard pêcheur] pair on a nest. INTERRUPTED FERNS [Osmonde de Clayton] were also emerging. Everything seems to be coming to life so fast at the moment.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton