Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 29 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 29, 2018 ( Wednesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by:Judy Marsh marshj@nbnet.nb.ca

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

**Isaïe Comeau got a photo of a GREAT EGRET [Grande Aigrette] recently with a pair of AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Canard noir] looking on off the shore of a small island off Miscou.

** Mac Wilmot photographed a Coral Mushroom near his home recently. We have several Coral mushroom species in New Brunswick and some in bright colours. Mac's appears to be the Violet-branched Coral. Mac comments the photo is showing blue tones, but actually was a dull purple in situ. Corals are usually found in woods.

** Shawn Cormier shares a few zoomed in clear photos. One photo shows the very sharp detail of the facial features of the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT [Cormoran à aigrettes], a good example to compare with the different facial features of the GREAT CORMORANT [Grand Cormoran]. The photo is an immature bird. Cormorants do take two years to reach maturity. Shawn also got a close-up of the facial area of a Meadowhawk Dragonfly. Gilles Belliveau points out it is difficult to say for sure whether the speciman is a Ruby or Cherry-faced Meadow-hawk. The Cherry-faced is normally more red, but doesen't always have a reddish face and can have a yellowish brown face, similar to a Ruby Meadowhawk

** Brian Stone got several nice clear photos of the Two-Stripped Grasshopper before he left Perth Ontario. We have this species in New Brunswick, but by comparing it with other photos received, it may be variable depending on age and gender. This one the Bug Guide has identified as a female. The two photos are attached today.

** I took a hike around the Miramichi marsh on Sunday. It is a very recommended site with diverse habitats for birds, plants, odes, and lots more. When visiting the site, maintained by Ducks Unlimited and the Miramichi Naturalists Club, plan on spending the minimum of a few hours at least. On Sunday there was an abundant crop of Wild Raisin, Mountain Ash, Rose Hips and Virgina Creeper berries. Virgina Creeper, apparently has berries toxic to man, but birds forage on them. The flashy Twelve-Spotted Skimmer Dragonflys were very abundant. The only shore birds seen were GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier]. The habitat looks good for other potentials. The late flowering Water Plantain was present, some plants sporting their three part blooms and others with the floral spray yet to open, as one photograph shows. The plant Water Shield was abundant showing its root going down from the centre of the shield. Also lots of the small plant Duckweed showing its single or few roots to compare it with the multirooted Water Flaxweed that Gart Bishop showed us in Grand Lake Meadows. There were a few Yellow Ladies’-tresses Orchids that are making the orchid scene from late July into mid September. I found several on Sunday and found them challanging to identify. On checking with Jim Goltz, he feels the photos best match the Yellow Lady's Tresses, commenting that the Hooded Ladies’-tresses seem to be in peak bloom late July and early August, whereas Nodding Yellow Ladies’-tresses bloom late August to mid September. Yellow Ladies’-tresses have creamy off white blooms with petals and sepals more up swept. Nodding Ladies’-tresses have more crystal and white flowers. It looks like a revisit to that orchid site is indicated!

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton