Nature Moncton Nature News: June 11 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, June 11, 2017 (Sunday)

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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)

** Carol Shea, Annette Stone and Brian Stone visited the Hampton lagoon area on Saturday. Annette spotted a GREEN HERON [Héron vert] catching a frog lunch in the trail area there and Brian got photos of it in action. Green Heron is not a common heron in New Brunswick yet, so many may want to try to see it. Using all caution, do not disturb it in case there is a nesting attempt there. Brian also got photos of a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER [Paruline noir et blanc], an OVENBIRD [Paruline couronnée] showing its characteristic orange crown stripe, pink legs, and eye-ring, as well as a cluster of CANADIAN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL [Papillon tigré du Canada] butterflies, doing what is sometimes called “puddling,” after micro-nutrients.

** Two vacancies have just become available for the Nature Moncton FIELD TRIP TO COCAGNE ISLAND on June 17. Contact Louise Nichols by e-mail at nicholsl@eastlink.ca if you would like to take these two seats. Unfortunately, the trip is full otherwise due to logistics, needing a boat for the ten-minute crossing.

** Heather Silliker has a friend who is getting regular visits from a HAIRY WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] to enjoy the nectar in a hummingbird feeder.

** Aldo Dorio sends a photo of one of the several species of CRANEFLIES [tipules] that we have in New Brunswick. They seem to be be just starting their mating flights and are often attracted to lights at night. They have the appearance of a very large mosquito but are harmless to humans. Aldo also is noting MUSKRATS [Rat musqué] becoming more active at Hay Island.

** Leatherleaf is a very common shrub blooming at the moment. It prefers to grow in very wet soil, such as at pond edges, bogs,and swamps. A photo of a blooming plant is attached. It seems to be a plant that often goes un-noticed.

** MASON BEES [Abeille maçon] were back to the houses I had erected this spring, and filling the 5/16 inch holes only, with a mud nest, an egg and a deposit of pollen on which the young will feed when it hatches. A house in a southern exposure seems to be the most active. There is no doubt a good reason why they filled 13 of 14 holes on the right side of the box. It will be interesting to see what happens in coming days. Mason Bees are normally active in late April and May. I suspect that the cool weather period slowed the nesting cycle. However, I am a neophyte at mason bee propagation and still have much to learn from the bees.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton