NATURE
MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE, Oct. 6, 2021 (Wednesday)
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Edited by:
Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line
# 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
**Frank
branch in Paquetville updates that his Clay-colored Sparrow visitor was
not seen on Tuesday but was present Monday evening until dusk. Frank will
update if it returns.
**Dale
Gaskin leaves some observations on Red-breasted Nuthatches and White-winged
Crossbills that are much more prevalent than he expected so early in the
season. He comments he “pished” in his Dawson Settlement woodlot to have 9 Red-breasted
Nuthatches come to check him out and he has never seen so many White-winged
Crossbills this early in the season foraging on the abundant cone crop and
leaving layers of cone scales on the ground that he is much more used to seeing
in winter when cone crops are present. It’s looking like the start of a banner
season for crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins should be
checking out the bootie as well.
**Jane
LeBlanc photographed an American Lady Butterfly on Tuesday morning in
St. Martins. It was nicely “spread eagle” to show its ID features which need to
be looked at closely when comparing it to the Painted Lady Butterfly. Jane also
saw a Mourning Cloak Butterfly about on Tuesday morning which would be
much more expected as they overwinter with us. Jane also photographed a Ruffed
Grouse strutting about their driveway showing his full flair.
**Gordon Rattray and David Cannon share a few more photos of the awesome panoramic view
of Dutch Valley and Trout Brook that field trip participants enjoyed so much on
Sunday’s visit to the Sussex Bluff.
**Pat Fox photographed what is strongly suspected to be Jack-O’-Lantern
Mushroom. They are growing at the base of a dead Aspen tree. We do not seem
to see this species very much but there have been a few reports already this
season. This is their time of year to fruit and as noted previously is a
species that amateur collectors could confuse with chanterelles. They grow in
tight clumps associated usually with hardwood. Chanterelles may grow in groups,
but never tight clumped masses and the gills are quite different when comparing
the two. Jack-O’-Lantern Mushroom gets its name as it faintly glows in the dark
due to a phosphorescent chemical component and orange pumpkin colouration. It
contains toxic chemicals and not classed as an edible but is by no means
deadly.
**Probably most folk who have Magnolia trees in their yards are
aware of the striking seed capsule that appears in the fall. I noted it on
Tuesday when in the yard of Fred and Lynn Dube. The spring floral display is
striking but so is the fall fruit.
Also in their yard was a few clumps of the Alcohol Inky Mushroom.
One photo shows them fresh while a second photo shows them going to ink as this
genus does. It is indeed a good edible when fresh but not to be consumed with
any form of alcohol as it contains coprine which cross reacts with alcohol to
cause an unpleasant reaction. The Dube’s suggest they may not be able to use it
as an edible!
Nelson
Poirier
Nature
Moncton
