NATURE
MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE, Nov 18, 2021 (Thursday)
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Edited
by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Nelson
Poirier
Nature
Moncton
**Louise
Nichols was out for a walk at the Tankville School trail Wednesday afternoon
with Elaine Gallant and Wendy Sullivan. The trail was quiet overall, but
they kept seeing a number of light-coloured moths flying about. It was a
cold day, so they were surprised to see them. They were hard to
photograph as they didn't stay still for long, but Louise finally was able to
get one perched on a tree.
The moth Louise photographed is the Bruce Spanworm Moth. It is 1 of 3 moths
we can see flying on these late season cool days seeming to be very active in
spite of the cold. The second one we may see flying at this time is the Autumnal
Moth with the Linden Looper (Winter Moth) a third one. They do resemble one
another unless able to get a close observation as Louise's photo does.
**Elaine Gallant spotted 3 Wood Ducks in the biggest pond at Mapleton Park on Wednesday. Two
were 2 female and 1 male (still not in full breeding plumage). Mapleton Park
seems to be becoming a spot a small group of Wood Ducks are gravitating to.
Wendy Sullivan also got some nice photos of the
Wood Ducks mingling with the Mallard
Ducks. They were moving about in harmony, not like the aggression towards
the Wood Ducks many of us noted a few years ago.
**Brian Stone went back to Wilson Marsh
on Wednesday to enjoy the cool, brisk wind while searching for any new items to
photograph. At the entrance to the trail Brian saw 2 male and 3 female FINCHES
feeding in an apple tree. At the base of the tree several BLUE JAYS were
foraging noisily, and one became a photo subject. The 2 AMERICAN COOTS
were still present and actively feeding even though there was ice covering some
of the pond area and no other ducks or geese were around.
Halfway along the trail 3 AMERICAN TREE
SPARROWS were actively moving about in the same spot as the last three
times Brian was there. They stopped to return Brian's gaze long enough to be
added to the album. (Editors note: the American Tree Sparrows are just joining
us for their winter solace. Note the very strongly bicoloured bill and the dark
‘stickpin’ spot on the white chest as quick
ID clues when they start coming to our feeder yards)
At the far end of the trail a fresh looking female HOODED MERGANSER was diving and swimming near a group of a dozen MALLARD DUCKS. (Editors note: note the dark saddle mark on the bill of the female Mallard Duck too quickly differentiate it from the Black Duck female's solid greenish bill)
Two small empty nests were visible, one at a distance in the marsh
and one in the small trees alongside the section of trail. (Editors note:
comments as to the identity of the summer occupant would be appreciated. It was
a small nest and seemingly shingled with spiderweb)
All
in all it was a very empty marsh with very little to photograph Wednesday. (Brian's words!)
**Farmer Mike Dickinson delivered 170 + bags of
black oil sunflower seed on Wednesday and with a few exceptions, things went
smoothly. A big thank you goes to Sue and Fred Richards for all the work they
put into making this happen.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
