Nature Moncton Nature News: July 12 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, July 12, 2017 (Wednesday)

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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)

** Dale Halfpenny recently got a nice photo in Fundy National Park of a BLUE-HEADED VIREO [Viréo à tête bleue] family with a fledgling being fed.

** Gordon Rattray stopped by the Gray’s Island BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] nest, at Hillsborough, and noted one eaglet there this year. Gordon says it appeared ready for its maiden flight. Note the thickened yellow edging at the base of the bill that suggests a nestling or a recently fledged bird.

** Dave Christie reports that he saw his first migrant shorebirds on Tuesday afternoon, two GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] feeding along the muddy shores of the Shepody River below the dam.

Dave also stopped at the Shepody River bridge, just after one starts on Route 915 past the old Bank of New Brunswick, to check on the CLIFF SWALLOW [Hirondelle à front blanc] colony there. Observing from below the north end of the bridge, he was able to see at least 25 nests on the upstream and downstream sides, with more than half having protruding heads of nestlings. This is the only colony of any size that Dave is aware of in the Riverside-Albert area.

** Brian Stone noted a few fish in a quiet backwater in Dartmouth on Monday that were approximately 6 to 8 inches in length. They are CHAIN PICKEREL [Brochet maillé], a fish that is common in New Brunswick as well, especially in quiet grassy coves of areas like Grand Lake.

** I’ve lost count of the number of e-mails and requests for comments on the newscast and newspaper reports about a sickness going around in PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune]. I was hoping to hide under a rock and let it blow over, but it’s not working.

I have sent many specimens over to the Atlantic Veterinary College Wildlife Health Care, in recent years. Trichomaniasis is caused by a one-celled parasite that affects the crop to produce excessive salivation and mucous build-up that gets on the face to produce a matted-feather, wet look to the head area. It’s been present in New Brunswick for some time and we sometimes see it at feeders, as flocking birds come there. Once a bird brings it to your yard, unless that bird is quickly removed, others will get infected, and the problem will reoccur when conditions are right. Cleaning feeders and stopping feeding will do little to help, but removing any bird appearing sick with the symptoms mentioned will help. I will not be removing feeders or even cleaning them. If any sick bird is spotted, it will be removed quickly. I fully expect to get tarred and feathered by some for these comments and may have to eat fresh crow, if it really reaches epidemic proportions, but I have no immediate dining plans for anything black. I respect other people’s opinions as they have every right to react to the recent news item as they feel indicated. As far as taking down feeders, yes, you will not see any sick birds, as they won’t be coming to your yard. Remember, this is only one person’s opinion, and we all have the right to react as we feel appropriate, as we all enjoy mother nature’s community and want to keep it at its best.

Of course, the RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] is not of any concern with this issue, as are most other non-flocking birds. The parasite is of no harm to humans, as salmonella is, in outbreaks in birds occasionally in winter. That can be problematic for humans and other mammals.

Remember, if searching for information, this is Trichomonas gallinae, not Trichomonas vaginalis, which does affect humans.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton