Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 24 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, November 24, 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)

** Jane LeBlanc shares some photos taken during their recent visit to the Hawk Cliff protected area in Ontario, of nice open, flight views of a RED-TAILED HAWK [Buse à queue rousse], clearly showing the patagial bar that is specific to both the adult and juvenile Red-tail Hawk, as well as the dark-spotted belly band against the white breast. The second photo, of a NORTHERN HARRIER [Busard Saint-Martin], shows its long tail and slender wings, but a few rather symmetrical primary feathers are missing.

** A big thank-you to Kelly Honeyman, the J.D. Irving staff naturalist, and to Andrew McCartney, for spending their Saturday afternoon delivering a presentation to a large group of participants.

Kelly spent time reviewing how unique forest locations are found and protected, as well as projects involving Moose and White-tailed Deer tracking, bird monitoring and more.

Andrew demonstrated how they go about collecting embryos from the seeds of “plus trees” and growing them in culture media to create a supply of superior seedling trees for planting, and how they are retained over long periods in liquid nitrogen.

He also spent time explaining how very complex potato seed production really is. A large room of shelves, lit by red and blue spectrum light, to demonstrate vertical agriculture was an eye-opener. He also showed how they have discovered an endophytic fungus that can be incorporated into seedling trees to help resist attacks by spruce budworm.

An awesome afternoon. Information and demonstrations of what can and will take place! Several photos of some of the highlights are attached.

A value added bonus to a great day was a group dinner at a local restaurant to be followed by a clear sky view of the planets Venus and Jupiter and a very bright shooting star (meteor) en route home.

Nelson Poirier <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>

Nature Moncton