NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, June
20, 2021 (Sunday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Much of Mother Nature’s world is
sporting families at the moment. Jane
LeBlanc came across a mass of SPIDERLINGS in a spider web on her St. Martins
home deck to get a photograph. A large
family unit!
**David Cannon comments he able
to see lots of ducks while golfing at the Maplewood Golf Club in Irishtown. All
the ponds have families in them. They have a beaver as well, and plenty of
muskrats. David sends a photo of HOODED MERGANSERS in the 14th hole pond. Note
the orange on the lower mandible in one bird that is always present in the
female at all maturities.
Anita Cannon spotted a SAY’S
CICADA resting on the side of their house on Saturday and Sunday. Eighteen
hours later it was still there. Its body is 34 mm long, including its folded
wings. This insect emerges from the ground to become the adult that would
normally head up into a tree and make its loud high pitched metallic buzz on
hot days. I would assume in this case, it emerged from the ground but did not
head out on its mating mission due to the cooler day of Saturday but may well
proceed in today’s warmth if to its satisfaction.
**John Inman reports he has had a
pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS checking out a nest
box the last couple of days, but they seem to have moved on. John comments perhaps
it may be the location of nest box. It would have been his first nesting pair.
Other than that, John says it has been very slow in his 225 Mary’s Point Road
site.
** Lisa Morris noted some interesting
clear tracks on a soft mud shoreline in Richibucto on Friday. The tracks led to the water and are
consistent with that of a RIVER OTTER [Loutre de rivière]. Note the
roundness of the five digits showing in the excellent mud substrate. Accurate measurements of stride and trail are
helpful, but the possibility of dealing with younger smaller animals at this
point complicates it.
** We are advertising the first of
Nature Moncton’s Tuesday evening events early as this happens to be the first
one of this potentially great idea to seek out new spots to naturalize. All details of the first event are attached
below and will be repeated the next few days.
No registration is necessary.
Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm.
First Tuesday
Night Nature Moncton Walk. June 22, 2021,
6:30 PM.
This is the first in a series of nature walks to view some of
the wonderful natural areas in the region.
This week we will be walking a loop trail that is located at the Dobson
trailhead in Riverview. This walk will take about an hour and a half and cover
a little over two kilometers. The trail
is forested all along and follows Mill creek for the first half then loops
back. The trail is a little hilly and there are quite a few tree roots so good
walking shoes are a good idea. The cost is a toonie for non-members. Members
and children 12 and under are free. We will meet at the trail head parking lot (there
are two lots, we will be starting from the second one) and the walk will start
at 6:30. If you could be there by 6:15 so we can cover the Covid rules. The lot
is located on Pine Glen Road 0.7 km. south of the intersection of Gunningsville
Blvd. and Pine Glen Road. The Richards
went there Friday evening at 6:15 and the traffic on the bridge was not bad at
that time.
Sue and Fred previewed it and viewed some birds, a snake,
some freshly released Grey Squirrels from Atlantic Wildlife institute and a lot
of plant life including some Pink Lady’s Slippers. There were quite a few mosquitoes, but a
liberal application of repellent kept them from bothering us. Covid rules will apply but there is lots of
room for physical distancing. We are
hoping you can come out and take in this beautiful spot and enjoy an evening
stroll with us.
The Dobson trail is the longest volunteer-maintained trail in
eastern Canada. It runs from the
trailhead in Riverview to Fundy Park.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
