Nature Moncton Nature News: May 8 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, May 8, 2019 (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)

**Richard Blacquire had a pleasant surprise on Tuesday morning at the Hampton lagoon to see the BLACK VULTURE [Urubu noir] he had seen yesterday settled in, joining the usual morning gathering of Turkey Vultures. Richard comments “ It reminded him of folks in the morning, stopping at Tim's for coffee and conversation before heading to work”.

Richard reports that bird had returned to the same site on Wednesday morning obviously enjoying being with its kin and another potential ‘cappuccino’.

AC to be leucistic which means the deposition of pigment has been altered, thought to be a genetic factor. Every leucistic bird is a unique individual being the only copy produced. They seem to carry on their mission normally with no other associated effects.

**Catherine Hamilton spotted a Giant Water Bug motoring across her driveway on Tuesday to have it stop long enough for a photo. This bug is our largest resident bug at approximately 2 in. in length. It is usually around water but this time of year can be seen moving in search of suitable water bodies. It is quite capable of flight and has no hesitation to attack prey larger then itself. They also sometimes get the nick name ‘toe-biters’ which no doubt was assigned by some startled folk! They will bite humans in defence with that sharp beak and inject powerful toxins into their prey. They are relatively common.

Sharon Blake reports seeing a Black Bear on the highway at Berry Mills at noon time on Tuesday. This animal had probably recently emerged from winter hibernation with hunger making it more apt to be foraging during the day.

Brian and Annette Stone share some photo observations from the Hampton – Upham area on Tuesday. A grouping of White-tailed Deer in the area show they are in the process of shedding their heavy winter grey-brown pelage to take on the more sleek chestnut brown of summer and a much thinner cooler overcoat. Some look a bit rough at the moment but that will soon change. They also got some photos of a Snowshoe Hare that again looks a bit rough as it loses its winter white pelage to take on its summer brown which is well along but still a few white patches left and tufts of hair to to a shed. A very brilliant male Purple Finch wanted to be photographed which is a nice comparison to the leucistic individual Frank Branch contributed.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton