Nature Moncton Nature News: April 26 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 26, 2022 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**Aldo Dorio photographed a first winter male Harlequin Duck in the water just off Little Neguac wharf on Monday. This bird will probably be taking on its brilliant breeding plumage over the next month. A nice find in an area where this species is not usually seen.

Aldo also photographed a congregation of Double-crested Cormorants in the same area. The breeding double head crest can be picked up in some birds in Aldo’s photo.

**Hubert Sherrard has had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nest at his Boom Road property for a few years and he spotted a pair checking into the same box they did last year on Monday.

Hubert also noted Tree Swallows checking out the Nature Moncton nest box at the end of his driveway.

Eastern Phoebe have also returned. They have nested for some years under the eave of a building adjoining his property.

**A moss that is one with an easy-to-remember common name, Stair-step Moss (Hylocomium splendens) was observed and photographed on the Nature Moncton White Rock Recreational Area visit on Saturday. Gart Bishop comments “if you pluck one plant out, it is a staggered, layered plant which gives rise to the common name."

Gart also suspects a low emerging plant photographed there may be Comfrey.

Gart also confirms a tree photographed in bloom is American Elm (Ulmus americana). (Editors note: note the deviated terminal bud characteristic of American Elm). Unfortunately, due to devastating Dutch Elm Disease, seeing American Elm in flower is uncommon now.

**Nature NB is hosting an action-packed Festival of Nature weekend coming up on June 3, 4, and 5. The complete lineup and registration details are outlined below in a message distributed from Nature NB. The return of this event is very welcome after Covid restrictions having prevented it for 2 years.

“As you know, the Festival of Nature is fast approaching, and we would love to see you all there. Please help us spread the word by reminding your club members! Below is some information about the Festival that you can share.

We would also like to celebrate the nature clubs at the banquet, and would love it if Nature Moncton could prepare a brief presentation (no more than 5 minutes) of a project or something you've worked on as a club. If this is something your club would like to do, please let me know by May 13, 2022. I will follow up with you and ask for any slides/presentation materials you may be using so we can have backups for June 4th and can plan for your presentation in the Banquet timeline.

Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing you at the AGM in June!

About the Festival:

Nature NB’s Festival of Nature is taking place June 3 to 5, 2022 in Fredericton, NB. Tickets are now available for purchase online at Eventbrite or by calling the Fredericton office at 506-459-4209, and the brochure with all the Festival details can be found on the Nature NB website.

As this year marks Nature NB’s 50th anniversary, we’re hoping for a good turnout to help us celebrate our achievements. This is also a chance to reconnect with fellow naturalists from around the province at the Festival of Nature for the first time in two years. We are so excited to see everyone in person once again!