Nature Moncton Nature News: August 13 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 13, 2019 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Georges Brun visited the Bis Marsh on Monday morning to find 2 GREAT EGRETS [Grande Aigrette] enjoying the area’s forage and approximately a dozen GREAT BLUE HERONS [Grand Héron]. Pat and I visited the spot on Monday evening and the Great Egrets that Georges had reported were still present. There were also a lot of shore birds but a sudden shower prevented a tally of species. There seems to be a number of recent reports of Great Egrets in New Brunswick. Bis Marsh is located by taking Louis St. in Dieppe and taking the walking path to the marsh trail at the south/west corner of the street. Go a short distance to a portable washroom then turning right and taking a woods trail to the large pond.

** The ceremony to officially recognize the Aboiteau/Dike on the Dieppe marsh will take place today, Tuesday morning, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. There will be a release of tagged MONARCH BUTTERFLIES [Monarque] which will then have the opportunity to head south/west to Mexico to overwinter. This will be done by Rheal Vienneau who has a troupe of Monarch Butterflies ready to head out and several of my own back yard efforts will be going along with them. It will all take place at the viewing platform area that is accessed by taking Pointe Aux Renards St. in Dieppe to its end, park, and walk the groomed trail to the left for several minutes.

I am attaching a few more photos of my own chrysalids, several of which have now emerged as adults. Rheal points out that there would seem to be a lull in Monarch Butterflies flying at the moment however all those that laid eggs in July that died will have their offspring on the wing soon. These ones will not be reproducing but will be using flower nectar fuel to take them to Mexico to overwinter.

** Maurice and Louise Richard have a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] that really stands out from the other patrons coming to their feeder due to its complete lack of any rust coloration, being predominately grayish. There does seem to be some of what appears to be down feathers showing so this may be a recently fledged bird, but it would seem to be very late.

** Aldo Dorio sends a photo of an adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER [Chevalier grivelé]. The adults will soon be thinking of migration with the unspotted young of the year tarrying longer. This is one of the shorebirds that nests in New Brunswick. Aldo also took note of a doe WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] at Hay Island. The diversity of wildlife at Hay Island is truly notable.

** I dropped by a vegetable stand on Monday and noticed a very striking blossom on a plant. The owner advised that it was a PASSION PLANT. The bloom is very ornate and is a very beautiful creation.

A heads-up reminder of the Nature Moncton Shorebird short workshop and field outing on August 24 to celebrate the variety of shorebirds that are stopping to refuel in New Brunswick before continuing their migration south. Roger LeBlanc has been closely monitoring popular sites to be able to see the most variety on that day. It is suggested to leave your name with Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca if you are planning on attending to assist in planning for the event. The write-up is attached below.

HERE COME THE SHOREBIRDS

WORKSHOP AND OUTING

Date: August 24^th, 2019

Time: Workshop will begin at 10:00 AM at the Sobey’s Community Room off Elmwood Dr. (77 Filles de Jesus Ave) in Moncton

The group will leave at 1:00 PM from the parking lot of Sobey’s for an outing at Petit-Cap (with possible first stop at Riverview Marsh)

Presenter and Guide: Roger Leblanc

Cost (for workshop): $8.00

Registration (for workshop): Louise Nichols, nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** Those interested may choose to participate in the workshop alone or in the outing alone.

Even though we are smack in the middle of a beautiful hot summer, autumn migration has already started. No, not so much those confusing autumn warblers or hard-to-differentiate flycatchers yet, but shorebirds. Now the simple mention of shorebirds brings a glazed look to the eyes of many who are just starting out birding, and for good reasons. There are dozens of species and they are often seen in mixed flocks. Plus here in the Maritimes, we mostly see them at a time of year when they have gone (or are going) into drab basic or winter plumage that is essentially the same for all: a bicolored combination of dark gray on top, alternating with pale gray on the bottom -- great for hiding from predators but not so good for birders. Add to that that they are more often seen far out in marshes or mud flats, and it is understandable that some just call them peeps and move on to more “reasonable” birds. But shorebirding can be lots of fun and we are in fact fortunate in our region to be close to some shorebird migration phenomena that are world class and of global importance. So how are we supposed to identify those little gray birds all the way out there on the mud flat that just won’t stand still and kind of all sound the same?

Once again Nature Moncton is coming to the rescue. On Saturday August 24th we will offer a practical workshop on shorebirds, focusing on the 15 or so species that we can reasonably expect to see here now. Our own Roger Leblanc will lead this workshop/outing and will share with us the tricks of the trade that he has honed over several decades for putting names on most of the shorebirds of autumn. In the morning workshop he will focus on ID field marks, but also habitats, behaviors and other clues that help birders more easily identify the birds. So if you have been hoping to find something to do bird-wise to bridge the extravanza of spring birding and the allure of autumn rarities, this is your chance. Don’t miss it. All are welcome, Nature Moncton Member or not.

** Bring a lunch and a scope if you have one.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton