Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 12 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, September 12, 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)

**Roger LeBlanc and Alain Clavette did a birding run from Memramcook to Tantramar on Tuesday to tally 72 species to indicate migration in progress, encountering pockets of warblers and vireos. They stopped in the Tantramar Marsh area where two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER [Bécasseau roussâtre] have been seen and were able to re-locate them with Louise Nichols help. A stop at the Amherst water treatment ponds made for the days highlight – a STILT SANDPIPER [Bécasseau à échasses] in one of the back ponds. It was with approximately 50 LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit Chevalier] and 3 or 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPER [Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée] which made a bit of a challenge to locate among them, but once located easy to follow noting its slightly downcurved bill and smaller size than the LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit Chevalier]. The Amherst Water Treatment Ponds can be accessed by turning off to the Nova Scotia Information site off the Transcanada Highway but instead of turning right into the facillity go left down the old Transcanada Road until you come to an overpass and drive into the pond area as one goes under the overpass.

** Susan Linkletter is an organic farmer on the Scott Road. She has been surprised at the number of SPRING PEEPER [Rainette crucifère] she has been finding on her beans and lettuce. A close-up photo shows the signature ''x'' on the back and another shows one tucked into a lettuce plant. Susan comments it is at the point she has to carefully check each head of lettuce before selling it so no surprises go with it. She also comments she has seen a lot of caterpillars around her greenhouse this year, more than in other years. A photo shows a BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY [Papillon du celery] caterpillar enjoying carrot folliage.

** I am attaching some photos Marguerite Winsor got of a nicely marked temporarily co-operative spider on Monday. It is definetely one of the orb weavers we are seeing at the moment in the Araneus genus but not certain of the identity yet as was bug guide but we will rerun it if we get a confirmed identity.

** Michael Cybulski has seen a scenario unfold each evening in his Moncton yard. A DOWNY WOODPECKER [Pic mineur] arrives to a bird house just at dusk. A few quick hops, a couple of chirps and in it goes to stay, apparently to use it as a night roost.

** Jamie Burris comments on a lively afternoon in their Riverview backyard on Monday. Karen spotted a BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY [Papillon du celery] ovapositing on carrots. It would seem very late for a second brood but maybe it knows something we don't about the weather ahead. Jamie comments how he noted the butterfly seemed to be able to move the two wings independently which he photograghed. A hummingbird stayed in their yard most of the afternoon with a photo showing it doused with pollen, to be counted as a pollinator. A GRAY SQUIRREL [Ecureuil gris] also dropped by the local watering hole for refreshment.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton