Nature Moncton Nature News: May 10 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 10, 2019 (Friday)

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

Please advise editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca

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

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** A final note about the Nature Moncton field trip to the Cocagne River flood plain tomorrow, Saturday, to seek out early spring flowers. All details are on the website at www.naturemoncton.com under “Upcoming Events.”

** Dale Gaskin reports he made an error with yesterday’s Scarlet Tanager identification. It is actually a male SUMMER TANAGER [Tangara vermillon], and was still present at the Chocolate River Motel on Rte. 114, coming to a suet block. Several folks were able to see it on Thursday. Dale comments that it was the first error he ever made, but then again thinks he may have made an error many moons ago!! Dale comments that his EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] are still trucking nest material to a nest box, and the TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] scolded him for being late at clean-up, dive-bombing him as he cleaned out the boxes on Wednesday. All swallow boxes he had up last season were occupied.

** I think it’s safe to say warbler time has arrived and a perfect time to observe their striking beauty before the leaves come on. Karen and Jamie Burris went on a trout-fishing trip in the Pine Glen area and came across – and photographed – 6 different warbler species, and got great detailed photos. The species seen were YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER [Paruline à croupion jaune], PALM WARBLER [Paruline à couronne rousse], PINE WARBLER [Paruline des pins], BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER [Paruline noir et blanc], BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER [Paruline à gorge noire] and NORTHERN PARULA [Paruline à collier]. They went without trout for supper, but the warbler rewards were a value-added bonus not expected.

** The SAVANNAH SPARROW [Bruant des prés] is a common sparrow, but it is not a fan of feeder yard visits except the odd one that drops by at this time of year. Wayne Corcoran, near Quarryville had one drop by his feeder yard on Thursday, and had to review his sparrows to be sure of its identity. Wayne’s photo is attached.

** Aldo Dorio photographed two AMERICAN PIPITS [Pipit d'Amérique] at Hay Island on Thursday on rocks near the bridge going in. These birds nest in the Northern tundra, so would be in migration and would be making a refueling stop. Gilles Belliveau points out that it is the tertial feathers that are showing the pale buff-coloured edges that really show up in one rear-view photo. This species does have white-sided tail feathers, but these often don’t show unless the tail is splayed slightly. Another characteristic of the American Pipit is the almost constant tail flicking. Aldo got another photo of one on Friday morning that shows a nice frontal view and shows the white side tail feather. Aldo also had a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK [Cardinal à poitrine rose] visit his feeder in his Neguac yard for an FOY.

** Gordon Rattray reports his Weldon feeder yard is still very active with patrons. His highlight of Thursday was a male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] that arrived to a waiting feeder at noon. He has 15 PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] now with a heavy female gender balance at 11 females and 4 males. He also has a group of 10 PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins].

** I came across approximately 40 plants of TROUT LILY [Érythrone d’Amérique] in bloom on Thursday. I’m attaching photos of the bloom and leaves as sometimes all one sees are the speckled leaves from which it gets its name because they simulate the back markings of a trout. It is one of the ephemeral plants Dave Mazerolle talked of in his April presentation to Nature Moncton. This plant appears early, and can be ablaze with striking blooms as the photo shows, then after a month, blooms and leaves completely disappear.

** This week’s Sky-at-a-Glance is included in this edition, courtesy of sky guru Curt Nason.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2019 May 11 – May 18
The constellation Hercules is up in the east after sunset, recognizable by the Keystone asterism that forms the legendary strongman’s body. He is usually pictured kneeling upside down in the sky, having a tête-à-tête with Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer, with his foot placed triumphantly on the head of Draco the Dragon. The Keystone is situated two-thirds of the way from Arcturus to Vega.

Hercules (Heracles in Greek mythology) was the result of one of Zeus’s many affairs with a mortal woman. Consequently, Hera (wife of Zeus) did whatever she could to have Hercules killed. As a baby Hercules strangled two snakes sent by her, and the Twelve Labours he performed were assigned by King Eurystheus, a representative of Hera.

Two globular clusters, M13 and M92, can be seen with binoculars in the constellation. M13, the finest globular cluster in the northern hemisphere, is along the right side of the Keystone, two-thirds of the way from bottom to top. A line from the bottom right star of the Keystone to the middle of the top side, and extended not quite that same distance, will put you near M92.

This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 5:52 am and sunset will occur at 8:39 pm, giving 14 hours, 47 minutes of daylight (5:59 am and 8:42 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 5:43 am and set at 8:48 pm, giving 15 hours, 5 minutes of daylight (5:51 am and 8:50 pm in Saint John).

The Moon is at first quarter on Astronomy Day, May 11, and it is full on the following Saturday. Jupiter rises before 11 pm midweek, followed by Saturn two hours later, and both are well placed for early morning observing. Mars sets about an hour after Jupiter rises. Mercury is too close to the Sun for morning observing, while Venus rises 50 minutes before sunrise.

On Friday evening, May 10, public observing events are scheduled at Dutch Point Park in Hampton (8-11, with a cloud date of May 11) and at Moncton High School (9:30-11). The William Brydone Jack Astronomy Club meets at the UNB Fredericton Forestry-Earth Sciences building on Tuesday at 7 pm, and RASC NB meets in the same location on May 18 at 1 pm. All are welcome.

Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton