Nature Moncton Nature News: June 18 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, June 18, 2020 (Thursday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Louise Nichols got a photo of one of our several species of ICHNEUMON WASPS [Guêpe Ichneumon]. Being a female note the long ovipositor at the rear to deliver ova deeply into chosen areas. We have several Ichneumon Wasp species in New Brunswick and none are harmful to man.

** The EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE [Tourterelle turque] has been extending its range northward. We have had a few in New Brunswick as rare visitors; however they are expanding more rapidly into western Canada. Jill Greening sends a photo of one of a pair that has taken up residence in her Edam, Saskatchewan yard.

** Aldo Dorio got a photo of a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] with its bill loaded with insects heading to feed a hungry family with so many young of this species having fledged or are near fledging by this time. The breast striping is a bit muted and no typical breast spot shows however Gilles Belliveau points out that the Song Sparrow is a very variable species and the camera angle can change the features as well. Aldo also sends a WILLET [Chevalier semipalmé] photo, a common summer resident at Hay Island.

** Mac Wilmot got quite a surprise when cutting and blocking up a Serviceberry Tree in his yard to find one of the blocks having the striking formation of an Owl head. It would sure make one do a double take. Mac comments that it was quite “lichenized”.

** We need a bit of lightness at the moment. John Massey’s family has had to isolate more than many of us as his wife, Frankie, works in a nursing home. John’s Covid isolation project was to gather up materials and put together a “Man Shack”. It looks very well constructed to me. When this is all over, and it will be over, John will be well prepared to bid on building projects.

** Brian Stone made a trip out to the pond in the Gorge Rd. woods to find it had been demoted to “puddle” status. With no incoming water source the pond could not deal with the hot, dry weather and looks to be on its last days. Lots of pond life is now concentrated in a small area that will sadly soon evaporate and end its productive life. Hopefully something will remain to restart the cycle over again next year. Several large FISHING SPIDERS [Araignée de pêche] were roaming the pond’s edge and seemed to dance over the shallow water at times. Brian brought back one YELLOW-SPOTTED SALAMANDER LARVA from the pond to display the size difference between the wild larva and his home grown one from his own Covid isolation project. It seems the higher concentration of pond food makes for heartier, healthier larvae. Hopefully it will not look upon its much smaller city brethren as snacking food.

Along the way to the pond Brian encountered a BLUE-HEADED VIREO [Viréo à tête bleue] pair that were not happy with his presence to suggest they might be nesting in the area. A distant BROAD-WINGED HAWK [Petite Buse] was gliding above the treeline and declined to come close for a decent photo. Another small pond held a close group of 5 frogs, 4 being LEOPARD FROGS [Rana pipiens] and 1 nonconformist appearing to be possibly a BULLFROG [Ouaouaron]. The Leopard Frogs were quietly accepting of their different cousin, displaying a tolerance that we should all be happy to have. NORTHERN CRESCENT BUTTERFLIES [Croissant nordique] were nectaring along with an egg laying SILVERY BLUE BUTTERFLY [Bleu argenté] and Brian’s first VICEROY BUTTERFLY [Vice-roi] of the season(take close note of field marks to distinguish from Monarch Butterflies expected anytime).

** There are 3 Nature Moncton Swallow boxes left, due to the lack of meetings. One still could get a second nesting of Eastern Bluebird or Black-capped Chickadee. They are in town and outdoors. Shoot an email to Nelson Poirier at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if you would like to pick up any or all of them to get them in circulation.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton