Nature Moncton Nature News: April 12 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 12, 2022 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**A Savannah Sparrow arrived on Monday to the Inman’s feeder yard in Harvey, Albert County for a first visit.

A few days ago John took a quick photo of a Weasel that was ‘on the fly’. He was hoping to see it again for a clearer photo to show the pelage change in progress to summer brown from winter white. John was lucky to get the picture he did as the Weasel is not readily cooperative to pose for photos!

**Jane LeBlanc spotted a Northern Harrier while walking her pup on the St. Martins beach Monday. She got a documentary photo.

**Yolande LeBlanc shares a gull experience she has not witnessed before from her Memramcook home. Yolande is quoted below so other folks can comment as indicated.

“First time experiencing this... a MEGA MIGRATION of Gulls! Started at 7:45am with, no exaggeration!, at least 1000 birds, going north-west, seen from inside. Then a group of 30, then a group of 50ish. While outside, another 100 went overhead. All these birds were very vocal, gliding, soaring, not flapping their wings so I couldn't see their backs. The very end of the wings were white, then a black arc, then all white birds as seen from underneath. After lunch there were 1000 gulls resting in a field in the marsh. I could then see the backs of the birds. They were either Herring or Ring-Billed Gulls. There were a few Great-black-backed Gulls with them. Their sizes were close so more likely Herring. All moved northward.

The white wing tips were seemingly more extensive than what my Sibley shows on those 2 birds. I also would not rule out different species for different groups.”

**Gordon Rattray sends a few lichen photos that Kendra Driscoll from the New Brunswick Museum has made comments on to help us identify them on our own.

The lichens shown growing on the trunk are Parmelia (a Shield Lichen, not sure which species). Both are foliose species.

The lichen shown growing on a slender branch is Ramalina americana, sometimes called "Northern Sinewed Ramalina" or "Sinewed Ramalina Lichen". It is a common species with a bushy or "fruticose" growth form. The branches are solid and irregularly flattened rather than round. This species (and others in the same genus) are sometimes confused with smaller species of Old Man's Beard (Usnea) because they share the same yellow green colour caused by usnic acid. A small tuft Usnea is visible an inch or two further up the same twig. The growth form is quite different at this scale. (editor’s note: this is an excellent photo to compare Ramalina and Usnea side-by-side)

**Brian Stone walked a small amount of the trail at Wilson's Marsh on Monday and found nothing more than a few dozen Canada Geese and 4 Green-winged Teal Ducks populating the ponds there. In the reeds and bushes several Song Sparrows were singing and a pair of Common Ravens were interacting further out on the marsh.(editor’s note: note the ruffled neck feathers and huge bill partly feathered on the culmen as signature Raven features)

Overhead 3 Bald Eagles, 2 adults and 1 immature, were circling as a group.

Brian searched the many Coltsfoot flowers alongside the trail hoping to spot some early bees going about their business but only found one fly instead.

When Brian got home he went outside after dark and photographed the waxing gibbous Moon at 78% full.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton