Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 30 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 30, 2018 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Mac Wilmot experienced woodpecker days in his Lower Coverdale yard with the expected DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur] and HAIRY WOODPECKERS [Pic chevelu], however the addition of a PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand pic] was special but was topped off by a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER [Pic à ventre roux] on Sunday with a nice photo. This woodpecker is doing well to the south of us and is looking like it may be expanding its northern range. The Pileated Woodpecker was cleaning up the grape vine’s fruit and the Red-headed Woodpecker chose a suet block.

** Doreen Rossiter’s newest visitor to her Alma feeder yard on Monday was a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine blanche]. One of her still present WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS [Bruant à couronne blanche] spent most of Monday feeding at a suet block. It’s the first time that Doreen has ever seen this species feeding at a suet block.

** Lisa Morris came across a RED SQUIRREL [Ecureuil roux) in Centennial park quite intent on carrying off a wet garment that was too heavy for it to drag but didn’t stop it from trying. With weather coming soon it may have ideas of having a warm winter nest. Lisa also noted a BALD-FACED HORNET nest very high in a tree. Folklore suggests that it means a winter of heavy snow, but let’s hope that folklore is just that.

** I have noticed a thick, heavy vine growing on a fence in a laneway in Alma and was not sure what it was. Sean Blaney confirmed that it is ORIENTAL BITERSWEET. Sean comments that it is one of the worst invasive species in northeast North America and is something that is undoubtedly going to become more problematic in New Brunswick, probably aided by a warming climate. I am attaching the four photos taken earlier in the week to show the leaf and the vining characteristic. It comes as both male and female plants. I did not notice any berries but will be checking the next time I am by. Both male and female parts produce flowers but only females produce the orange berries. The American Bittersweet is not a problematic plant.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton