Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 29 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 29 August 2020 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

**Yves Poussart visited the Petit-Cap site on Friday to look for birds present. In addition to the usual expected species, it was a really rewarding visit as he was able to get photos of two different species which he had never seen and photographed before. They include a WHIMBREL [Courlis corlieu] and a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER [Bécasseau roussâtre]. A Whimbrel was seen on Thursday close by this site by members of les Ami.e.s de la nature du sud-est du N-B. A group of about 20 GREAT BLUE HERONS [Grand Héron] was also interesting to watch, as several of them were photographed as they had just captured a Flounder [Plie]. It is always surprising to see that they are able to swallow such big prey. Two different tagged SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau semipalmé] (H1M and N5V) were also photographed. Yves will relay these codes to Professor Diana Hamilton at Mount Allison University, who is leading a research program on the movements of individuals of this species along the Northumberland Strait and the Bay of Fundy.

**Aldo Dorio got a photo of a bull MOOSE [Orignal] near Tabusintac on Friday. The pelage of this animal is at its prime at this time of year, before Winter Tick [Tique] infestations begin. The antler board rack does not seem to have developed to that of a more senior animal, but is nevertheless impressive. It would appear the fleshy velvet blood rich covering has been shed, and it is nearing ready for the rut to start in later September and October.

Aldo also got a photo of a SOLITARY SANDPIPER [Chevalier solitaire] that can be confused with the juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER [Chevalier grivelé] at first glance. As Gilles Belliveau points out, note the dappled speckling on the wings and back, and more greyish tones to the upper parts. The Spotted Sandpiper is more of a mixture of grey and brownish tones, with the juveniles having a more scaly pattern on the wing and back. The juvenile scaliness to feather tips will disappear. The Solitary Sandpiper generally has more greenish legs, while the Spotted Sandpiper’s are more yellowish, which of course can change in mud habitat.

Aldo also sends a photo of a very effective sign at Malpec Beach, no doubt a sign that should be copied in a lot of public areas.

**Paul Langelaan spotted a bat as he walked along the Buckley Road in Second North River on Friday evening at dusk. Paul comments it was the first bat he has seen in a long time.

** Yolande LeBlanc in Memramcook finds it interesting and surprising to still have 2 male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS attending feeders as of August 28. In past years, Yolande comments the males have usually departed by mid-August or even earlier and wonders if others have been noting the same. Comments please.

**Ray Gauvin sends a YouTube link he found very interesting that deals with the Halifax Explosion many years ago that many of us may want to review, as most of us were not around at that time to witness this historic tragedy. The YouTube link is cited below.