NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, November 16, 2018 (Friday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: bjpstone@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
**Gordon Rattray was late getting his birdfeeders up this season but the BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] were waiting in surprising numbers and soon told the rest of the bird community. Over the next two days Gordon had seven RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine rousse], one WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine blanche], two DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé], one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant à gorge blanche], one BROWN CREEPER [Grimpereau brun], a FOX SPARROW [Bruant fauve] and what he suspects is a RUSTY BLACKBIRD [Quiscale rouilleux]. Gordon got a distant photo and the silhouette and eye color is very suggestive of a Rusty Blackbird. Other expected regulars arrived as well to make for a busy feeder yard in short order. The Rusty Blackbird seemed to be accompanying five AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique].
** Kevin Renton reports that they are continuing to get EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] and PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] coming together to dine at the Renton’s Stilesville feeder yard to make for a very colorful display along with lots of the expected regulars. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] are very noticeable this year at many feeders in good numbers to suggest it is a good year for that species in the area as well.
** Dale Gaskin has had a challenging period recently and still did not have power as of Thursday but telephones are now working so folks can place or increase orders for the New Brunswick grown sunflower seeds that Mike Dickinson will be delivering to the Nature Moncton meeting next Tuesday night, November 20. The price is $15.00 for a 15 kg bag, the same as it has been for many years. Orders can be placed with Dale now at 734-2197 or cell number 863-5932. This is not a Nature Moncton fund raiser but in support for a New Brunswick grown product that we all use.
** Aldo Dorio spotted a HERMIT THRUSH [Grive solitaire] at Hay Island on Thursday. There were a lot of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] in the area as well that were finishing off the Winterberry Holly crop but the Hermit Thrush was not seen joining its kin. The Hermit Thrush does not migrate far south and tends to stay later than other thrushes with the exception of the Robin and it returns in early spring.
** I noted several birds feasting on the fruit of a small Flowering Crab tree in New Horton on Thursday to do a wheelie and check it out. The fruit connoisseurs included several AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique], one lone PINE GROSBEAK [Durbec des sapins] in female plumage and one lone BOHEMIAN WAXWING [Jaseur boréal]. The Bohemian waxwing was vocalizing, possibly advertising the booty to its kin.
I have a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW immature visiting the feeder yard this morning. Not a great day for photos but the attached photo shows the tan head stripes, clean breast area, and the yellow bill. It is showing larger than the other sparrows in attendance as well.
I made a labelling error in the Wednesday, November 14 edition. The tree photos shown are MANITOBA MAPLE, not White Ash. Thanks to Dwayne Sabine for noting the error. It has been corrected on the BlogSpot. The leaf scar shape and opposite arrangement led to too hasty an identification. Eating crow is much easier when it is fresh! Folks interested in winter trees may want to scroll back and check these photos out so they will not be fooled as I was.
** This week’s Sky at a Glance is included with this edition courtesy of sky guru Curt Nason.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 17 – November 24
Like Nate the pirate in the Overboard comics, some people do not want to let go of summer. I usually don’t succumb to the cold right away, waiting for -10 C before my winter coat gets worn regularly. But you have to accept the inevitable, so around 8:30 pm this week don your coat and imagination to say goodbye to the summer constellations as they sink below the western horizon.
The first thing you might notice is the Summer Triangle, balanced on Altair and tipping to the right. Aquila the Eagle, with Altair at its head, is flapping furiously and futilely to stay above ground, a battle it will lose over two hours. To its right, Hercules is diving head first, hopefully into a lake. Between them, if you are in the country, you might see the haze of the Milky Way spilling over the ground, perhaps to become frost. Four smaller constellations form a line above Altair, highlighted by Lyra to the right with its brilliant star Vega. Foxy Vulpecula, Sagitta the Arrow and eye-catching Delphinus the Dolphin are balanced across the eagle’s wingspan. While you are at it, try for the triangular head of Equuleus the Little Horse, who leads his big brother Pegasus by a nose.
You will have more time to pay regards to the main summer constellation. Cygnus is into its swan dive but it is head doesn’t go under until late evening. In fact, one wing never sets to remind us that summer will be back, sometime. It is this time of year that Cygnus lives up to its asterism nickname of the Northern Cross, which stands upright over the western horizon all evening.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:22 am and sunset will occur at 4:45 pm, giving 9 hours, 23 minutes of daylight (7:25 am and 4:52 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:32 am and set at 4:39 pm, giving 9 hours, 7 minutes of daylight (7:34 am and 4:46 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is full, the Mi’kmaq Rivers Freezing Moon, early next Friday and passes near Aldebaran that evening. Saturn is at its best viewing in twilight, while the rapid eastern motion of Mars keeps it in good observing position most of the evening. Venus is the brilliant morning star, known as Lucifer (light bringer) in ancient Rome. Jupiter and Mercury are too close to the Sun for observing. The Leonids meteor shower peaks on Saturday evening but your best chance to see them is early Sunday. The shower is at its best every 33 years when its parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle rounds the Sun, but that is 15 years away.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Like Nate the pirate in the Overboard comics, some people do not want to let go of summer. I usually don’t succumb to the cold right away, waiting for -10 C before my winter coat gets worn regularly. But you have to accept the inevitable, so around 8:30 pm this week don your coat and imagination to say goodbye to the summer constellations as they sink below the western horizon.
The first thing you might notice is the Summer Triangle, balanced on Altair and tipping to the right. Aquila the Eagle, with Altair at its head, is flapping furiously and futilely to stay above ground, a battle it will lose over two hours. To its right, Hercules is diving head first, hopefully into a lake. Between them, if you are in the country, you might see the haze of the Milky Way spilling over the ground, perhaps to become frost. Four smaller constellations form a line above Altair, highlighted by Lyra to the right with its brilliant star Vega. Foxy Vulpecula, Sagitta the Arrow and eye-catching Delphinus the Dolphin are balanced across the eagle’s wingspan. While you are at it, try for the triangular head of Equuleus the Little Horse, who leads his big brother Pegasus by a nose.
You will have more time to pay regards to the main summer constellation. Cygnus is into its swan dive but it is head doesn’t go under until late evening. In fact, one wing never sets to remind us that summer will be back, sometime. It is this time of year that Cygnus lives up to its asterism nickname of the Northern Cross, which stands upright over the western horizon all evening.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:22 am and sunset will occur at 4:45 pm, giving 9 hours, 23 minutes of daylight (7:25 am and 4:52 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:32 am and set at 4:39 pm, giving 9 hours, 7 minutes of daylight (7:34 am and 4:46 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is full, the Mi’kmaq Rivers Freezing Moon, early next Friday and passes near Aldebaran that evening. Saturn is at its best viewing in twilight, while the rapid eastern motion of Mars keeps it in good observing position most of the evening. Venus is the brilliant morning star, known as Lucifer (light bringer) in ancient Rome. Jupiter and Mercury are too close to the Sun for observing. The Leonids meteor shower peaks on Saturday evening but your best chance to see them is early Sunday. The shower is at its best every 33 years when its parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle rounds the Sun, but that is 15 years away.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
BOHEMIAN WAXWING. NOV 15, 2018. NELSON POIRIER
FOX SPARROW. NOV 12, 2018 .GORDON RATTRAY
FOX SPARROW. NOV 12, 2018 .GORDON RATTRAY
Goodbye Summer
HERMIT THRUSH. NOV 15, 2018. ALDO DORIO
RUSTY BLACKBIRD (SUSPECTED). NOV 12, 2018. GORDON RATTRAY
RUSTY BLACKBIRD (SUSPECTED). NOV 12, 2018. GORDON RATTRAY
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (IMMATURE). NOV 16, 2018. NELSON POIRIER
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