NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, July 6, 2021 (Tuesday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by Susan Richards susan_richards@rogers.com
Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
**Final
call for the Nature Moncton Tuesday night outing to Tankville trail at the
Irishtown Nature Park. All details
repeated below up front.
Nature Moncton Tuesday evening
hike, Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Spot:
Tankville School Trail
Guide: Roger Leblanc
Meeting place: Tankville
School Community Center parking lot at 1665 Elmwood Drive (Route 115)
Meeting time: 6:30 PM
Difficulty:
The walk will be about 4 Km in and out on a level
well-groomed trail and boardwalk which makes for easy walking.
About the outing:
In the words of our guide Roger Leblanc, “this
has to be one of the best birding spots in the Moncton City limits.” This is
explained by the fact that the trail, a less traveled part of Moncton’s
Irishtown Park, crosses in a short distance, several natural habitats which in
turn promote the presence of a wide variety of species. Starting in an upland mixed forest near the
parking lot we will next follow an old train track bed with a brook and some
wetlands on both sides. We will then head to an open marsh area where the city
has built an impressive boardwalk that makes access much easier than it was
before. Then, time and energy permitting, we could continue into a mature mixed
forest. In the forested parts, warblers and other woodland species abound and
in the marshy area, typical residents of this type of habitat, such as several
species of swallows, flycatchers, raptors, blackbirds etc. should be present.
Of course, plants and insects (butterflies and dragonflies etc) will also be
abundant. But do remember that some insects might like you just a little more
than you like them. With the habitat and the recent rain bugs might be a factor,
so bring your spray and dress for it. But remember without bugs, there would be
no birds.
**Lisa
Morris got a few photos of a SNOWSHOE HARE. One shows just how cryptic its summer pelage
is against its background. Another photo
of it on the gallop nicely shows the large hind snowshoe feet landing ahead of
its smaller front feet that we see so often as tracks in the winter snow.
** On Sunday Deana and Peter Gadd were
fortunate enough to look up at the right time to see a hawk being harassed by 3
crows at Miramichi Marsh. Peter was able to snap off a few photos of the
distant bird luckily. It turns out the hawk was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, only
his second encounter with the bird. Photos attached. After checking Sibley etc.
the clues were the small head, dark area around the head, the plain whitish
underwings and body and the long accipiter tail.
Also,
that day they saw 2 PIED-BILLED GREBE. Most of the spring and early
summer there seemed to a lonesome male calling and apparently hoping for the
best. They saw signs of nest building which if successful would be the first
time in perhaps 5 or 6 years at least. They are lovely to watch as their family
life progresses, chicks sometimes ride on the parent’s back and race after a
parent that emerges from the depths with food. First come first served. Grebes do
not dive so much as submerge and have been known to just have their heads above
water submarine periscope style.
Also
last week Peter saw a VIRGINEA RAIL at the marsh, an infrequent and
apparently brief visitor.
**Mother
Natures’ forecast is for warmer weather and the rain has stopped so expect more
nature line action.
Lois
Budd reports some fun at her home after the rain. She put feeders away to discourage raccoons
but with the cold put one out and it seems the PURPLE FINCH had found it
already. She sends photos of COMMON
ELDERBERRY blossoms and the Purple Finch.
She also has fledged RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS enjoying the
fresh syrup and all the wild roses in bloom.
Am
noting Common Elderberry seems to be in full bloom everywhere, having enjoyed
the cold damp week, so expect lots of blue berries to be appearing soon on
these bushes for fruit connoisseur birds and some mammals to be feasting on.
**Monday’s
sudden welcome sunshine brought out a female GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY
BUTTERFLY for me to photograph. Note
the large dark central area and the dark forewing margin of the female. It is very fresh specimen and the first good
opportunity for me, to appreciate a fritillary both from top and upright side
view.
**Fred
Dube brought up a nest box on a day in June after most of my swallow boxes were
taken but put it up anyway for the slim chance of an EASTERN BLUEBIRD or
a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. Was
surprised on Friday to spot a male bluebird in trees across the road from it
and Monday capped it all off when I saw a pair of bluebirds going in and out of
the box. No photos as they seemed to be
just settling in and wary when I would watch from too close even in vehicle if
stopped but moving traffic ignored. This
nest is on a utility pole roadside facing an open field and the box is low on
the pole.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
