Nature Moncton Nature News: July 25 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, July 25, 2017 ( Tuesday )

To view the photos mentioned in this edition go to http://nminfoline.blogspot.ca

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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)

** Dan Hicks, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Moncton, advises that he has had staff nurture Milkweed patches on city property and the majority of the gardening staff are very in tune with its importance. Dan advises that CN Rail also does vegetation management around their lines. The majority of plants on the riverfront are there because front line city gardeners have been protecting them. Dan sent a note around to other involved departments about its importance and got some favorable replies. Dan comments that the challenge is getting the message to those who may not be enlightened however he is obviously doing his best. The Monarchs appreciate your efforts, Dan.

** Jamie Burris got a great series of nature photos in his Riverview back yard largely due to the Swamp Milkweed, and Bee Balm plants that are in bloom. He got two views of a PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY [Belle dame], a PECKS SKIPPER BUTTERFLY [Hespérie de Peck] and RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis]. The male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will be leaving us in a few weeks, but the females and young of the year will stay with us until September, no doubt relieved that the adult males have left. Jamie also got a nice photo of a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK [Cardinal à poitrine rose] in Hillsborough. Jamie also had a colorful MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY but it is one of the Meadowhawks that is hard to identify down to species in a photo.

** Brian Stone and I dropped by Maisonnette Beach, near Caraquet on Monday. A favored shorebird gathering spot. We saw approximately 50 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS [Bécassin roux] and a few very vocal WILLETS [Chevalier semipalmé]. They sure were loud and were ignored by the accompanying Dowitchers. Some of the Short-billed Dowitchers, as expected, still had breeding plumage remnants.

** A pleasant surprise at the moth light on Sunday night was a FOUR-SPOTTED GHOST MOTH. This is a large, uncommon moth that is not usually attracted to lights so was a welcome guest to get photographed. Also surprising was that it deposited approximately 50 eggs so the nursery may get a bit crowded, but I suspect this may be a hard one to rear.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton