NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE,
August 26, 2021 (Thursday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: david.cannon@rogers.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
** The
Nature Moncton Nature Walk took place Tuesday night at the Mill Creek Nature
Park, led by Wendy Sullivan. The number of participants was low, but it did not
hinder the group from having a great time. Wendy provided a good history of the
area and Mother Nature provided much for participants to see. They were pleased
they were joined by a couple that first met our members during the Irishtown
Nature Park walk, where they were invited to join our group at any time. Some
highlights were the number of different ASTERS present and a CICADA
who was sitting up on the trail, its buddies singing all around. There were
also several CEDAR WAXWINGS catching insects as they were leaving,
allowing for very close observations.
A MEADOW
RUE plant was seen to be mauve in colour; all wondered if it might be the
fungus causing the colour change. The BIRD’S NEST has the ‘old man’s beard’
lichen component as is typical of a CEDAR WAXWING nest. Note the
late-blooming TURTLEHEAD, with its blooms very much suggesting how it
got its name. Other pleasant late bloomers like the BLACK-EYED SUSAN, BUTTER-AND-
EGGS (YELLOW TOADFLAX) and several ASTER species Gordon Rattray was
able to separate that are in peak bloom now. The warm evening had the DOG-DAY
CICADAS loudly vocalizing (stridulating) and one co-operated for a
ground-level photo. A PEARLY EVERLASTING in full bloom, SILVERROD
and the very fragrant SWEETFERN (not actually a fern).
** From
reports from different sites, it would seem like a great year for the COMMON
NIGHTHAWK, which are migrating in groups at the moment and seen hawking
insects during the day. Dan Hicks spotted four Common Nighthawks swooping
around the entrance to Baron Heights subdivision off Elmwood Drive. The white
bands on the underside of the wings were very distinctive. Although Dan wasn’t
sure what they were at first, a neighborhood expert who specializes in
species-at-risk gave him the inside scoop. They are listed as ‘Threatened’
under the Species-at-risk Act. Take a look at the attached link that Dan shares:
** It’s
nice to hear from Dave Christie. Dave makes some comments on CANADA GOOSE
flocks’ size that rather surprised him in number. He comments that he has been
seeing flocks of 30 - 50 in the area but on Monday evening he was driving
towards his Mary’s Point home and came across two different flocks of
approximately 200 birds. The young-of-the-year have grown to adult size, and they
all appear to be on the move together now.
** Aldo
Dorio photographed a GADWALL DUCK at Hay Island. This is not a real common
species at Hay Island yet but seems to be increasing in number at several sites
in New Brunswick, especially the Sackville Waterfowl Park and Ducks Unlimited
impoundments.
Aldo also
photographed a fall plumage YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
