Nature Moncton Nature News: June 13 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE - June 13, 2017 (Tuesday)

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

Transcript by : Louise Richard richlou@nbnet.nb .ca

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

** Wow, Monday was an exciting butterfly day with 2 MONARCH BUTTERFLIES [Monarque] in yards with Swamp Milkweed in the area. Yolande LeBlanc has many Swamp Milkweed and Common Milkweed in her Memramcook yard, but saw a female Monarch Butterfly laying eggs on Swamp Milkweed plants on Monday. Yolande saw none last year, so is very pleased to see one arrive so early this year and laying eggs on June 12.

** Rheal Vienneau reported at a Nature Moncton meeting earlier that weather conditions and food plant availability for Monarch Butterflies was looking good this year for the start of their flight from Mexico. Looks like Rheal may have been spot on.

** Jamie Burris spotted a MONARCH BUTTERFLY [Monarque] in his yard in Riverview on Monday as well. He has never seen one this early in his yard and is the first in 5 years. His Swamp Milkweed patch is 2 feet high and ready for Monarch patrons, so hoping it returns especially for a photo. Also Jamie had a male EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l’Est] return to his yard and staying singing for approximately 20 minutes on Monday. Jamey has not seen the female in the area yet.

** Dale Gaskin was surprised to have a new visitor to his Dawson Settlement yard birdbath on Monday night when a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] came by for refreshment. Hope the Bluebirds are on guard. Dale also had a WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] roaming out in a field very near his home on Monday midday.

** The Dragonflies are starting to be on the move after the cold period. Brian Stone got photos of a FOUR-SPOTTED SKIMMER [Libellule quadrimaculée] and a HUDSONIAN WHITEFACED DRAGONFLY [leucorrhine hudsonienne] on Monday. Both these species are expected to fly early in the season.

** Aldo Dorio got a nice photo of a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER [Paruline à francs marron] on Monday at Hay Island. The photo shows the yellow crown which is the only predominant yellow area on this species, and the nice chestnut stripe down the side.

** Pat and I visited Hay Island on Monday which turned out to be a much shorter visit than planned due to a sudden rain. I did get a brief encounter with a butterfly and quick photos to suggest it to be a SHORT-TAILED SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY [papillon queue-courte] Jim Edsall agreed. It appeared very fresh. This species has a very restricted range along the Gulf of St Lawrence and don’t believe it has been recorded south of Bouctouche Dune in N.B. (I stand to be corrected on that) — it was on one of its food plants COW PARSNIP [carotte sauvage]. Its food plants also include ANGELICA [angelique] and Scotch Lovage [livêche d’Écosse]. Cow Parsnip and Scotch Lovage are common at Hay Island. Nelson’s Sparrows were heard but not seen.

** While the MASON BEES [abeille maçonne] are still filling holes in my Mason Bee houses with nest cells, but was concerned to see a wasp entering holes on Monday and was concerned it may be antagonistic to the bees. Some photos attached were sent to Bug Guide and pleased to get a report that identifying it as a POTTER WASP [guêpe maçonne] which is simply a renter using the holes for its nest as well. Mason Bees put a pollen packet with their egg in the cells, however the Potter Wasp places a larvae worm with the egg for it to feed on when hatched.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton