Nature Moncton Nature News: August 25 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 25, 2019 (Sunday)

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Edited by Nelson Poirier, <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>

Transcript by David Christie, <maryspt@mac.com>

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

** More than ten people greatly appreciated Roger LeBlanc’s informative workshop on shorebirds on Saturday, with a presentation on the species they were most likely to see on the follow-up field trip, including the less common species which are nearby right now.

After the workshop, the group went over to the Riverview Marsh, where they were able to see one of the MARBLED GODWITS [Barge marbrée] that have been in the impoundment for over a week. They didn’t see the WILSON’S PHALAROPE [Phalarope de Wilson] but did get good views of two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES [Phalarope à bec large]. Crowning the show were a couple of close fly-overs by two NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard Saint-Martin] and a PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] high up above the marsh.

Afterwards, some of the group proceeded to the Dieppe (Bis) Marsh, where 9 species of shorebirds were waiting, close enough for good views through scopes. Two MERLIN [Faucon émerillon] were present at that marsh and made a couple of attempts at the birds. A bonus to the visit was the presence of 3 GREAT EGRETS [Grande Aigrette]. A very successful day, with 12 species of shorebirds tallied.

** Jane LeBlanc watched 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS [Grand Héron] fly over the St. Martins beach together on Saturday morning; she comments that it is unusual to see 4 flying together in that area.

** Louise Nichols got a photo of a PICKEREL FROG [Grenouille des marais]. This took some consultations to confirm the identification. John Gilhen thought he could see a trace of the yellowish orange in the groin area that will usually confirm a Pickerel Frog. John warns that you need to be careful with Pickerel Frog and Leopard Frog [Grenouille léopard], as they can mix-breed, where both species are present. Ron Arsenault also felt it to be a Pickerel Frog as the spotting on the back should have a light-coloured halo with Leopard Frog, which is not present in the photo. The spots are more rounded than they should be in a Pickerel Frog, but Ron felt it to be within range of what could be expected in this species.

I have always read that Pickerel Frogs are always brown, and Leopard Frogs usually green, but can be brown. Ron quotes a paragraph from the Canadian Herpetological Society that suggests that this is not correct, and I am quoting it below:

The Pickerel Frog can grow to 8 cm in body length and females are larger than males. Individuals are olive green, grey or brown with rows of dark, rectangular spots down the back and sides, bands on the hind legs, prominent, light cream or bronze-coloured dorsolateral folds (folds of skin running down each side of the back), a white belly, and bright yellow colouration on the thighs and groin.

** I visited an area where YELLOW LADIES’-TRESSES [Spiranthe jaunåtre] orchids were found last year in an abandoned parking lot in Miramichi City. There were a few Ladies’-tresses just coming up in exactly the same spot, but will have to wait several days for them to fully open more, to confirm. At the same site, a fresh VICEROY [Vice-roi] butterfly was moving about. I was surprised by the number of young-of-the-year LEOPARD FROGS [Grenouille léopard] leaping about.

I had the opportunity to closely observe a Bald-faced Hornet nest on Saturday and noted the intricate weaving of fiber that many nests of this species do not seem to have. It seemed to be adorned with several valences not being sure of the reason. It was as expected at basketball size this time of year. I did get an excellent photo of some adults which cyber world was accidentally allowed to gobble up!

** On Saturday, we released another MONARCH [Monarque] butterfly that we had reared and tagged. I have several tagged and off now, with a half dozen more developing chrysalids yet to emerge as an adult.

Nelson Poirier, <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>,

Nature Moncton