Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 25 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, August 25, 2020 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

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

** Jim Carroll located a bird on the Buckley Road, Second North River, we will very seldom see in this area, a BICKNELL'S THRUSH [Grive de Bicknell]. He located it at the 10 Mile marker on Buckley Road. This bird was potentially at this site in migration; no matter what the scenario, a real find! To top off a great day, Jim also photographed an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER [Moucherolle à côtés olive] and a SPRUCE GROUSE [Tétras du Canada]. A superb trio of birds.

** Louise Nichols visited that perennially popular shorebird site, Petit Cap on Monday morning. She saw 11 shorebird species, and special was a lone RED KNOT [Bécasseau maubèche]. Several CASPIAN TERNS [Sterne caspienne] were present and she was able to photograph an adult and a juvenile bird standing together. Louise comments the juvenile was very vocal. Louise was able to get some great photos to share, and comments the RED KNOT and SANDERLING [Bécasseau sanderling] were quite distant. It is interesting to note we have two RED KNOT reports in one day.

** Daryl Doucet and family visited the Fundy Trail Parkway on Monday and were extremely impressed. One scenery photo is attached, but expect more will be shared later.

** Aldo Dorio contributes a few photos from Hay Island on Monday. He got a/the RED KNOT again, nicely showing its signature black primary projection and in its basic plumage. A young-of-the-year EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] is starting to take on some blue plumage. A warbler photo appears to be a CAPE MAY WARBLER [Paruline tigrée] possibly moving towards non-breeding plummage. A LEAST SANDPIPER [Bécasseau minuscule] shows nicely and a CEDAR WAXWING [Jaseur d'Amérique] shows the breast streaking of its juvenile plumage. Aldo also shows the now-mature red berries of the large lone ASPARAGUS plant beside one of the trails at Hay Island.

**Brian Stone paid a visit to the Tucker St. Ducks Unlimited impoundment on Monday to check if anything new was present. He saw some of the birds mentioned in the Saturday field trip report and missed others. He noticed a lone, immature NORTHERN HARRIER [Busard des marais] Hawk resting far off in the marsh and a large flock of 20 plus BOBOLINKS cruising about the area. A MUSKRAT was swimming in the marsh and several holes along the banks seemed possible den sites. As usual there were large numbers of CANADA GEESE [Bernaches du Canada] and a great variety of ducks present. Some other birds seen were KILLDEER [Pluvier kildir], SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and lots of YELLOWLEGS [Chevalier].Â A few other observations were a SPREADWING DAMSELFLY, a SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY, and a EUROPEAN SKIPPER BUTTERFLY. As Brian was heading out to move on to other pastures his "picture-of-the-day" appeared in the form of a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Twenty-eight photos later (!) Brian continued his exit from the impoundment with some outstanding photos of this unexpected species at that site.

Brian then visited the Wilson/Bell Marsh briefly before returning home. As he approached the marsh area an AMERICAN BITTERN flew up from the reeds and vanished into the marsh. He noted freshly chewed trees indicating the continuing presence of Beaver. A WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY and a very worn looking GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY made an appearance along with a fresh looking BRONZE COPPER BUTTERFLY. A cloud of small insects, a Bee, and an interesting pond plant finished off his day.

Brian’s great series of photos are attached at the end of the photo line-up due to late arrival.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton