NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
April 4,
2022 (Monday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**Andrew Darcy went on a birding adventure Sunday to see what he could see and started off the day looking for the Sandhill Crane in Jolicure. He ended up finding the 3 amigos right by Parsons Road where they have been seen the past few days.
Shortly after
seeing the cranes, he heard word that a Yellow-crowned Night Heron that
was found earlier in the day by Neil Vinson in Alma, had been relocated and the
owners of Cleveland Place, Jane and Steve Chrysostom, were graciously allowing
birders in their yard to view the bird. Andrew had seen one before in Ontario
many years ago, but this was an NB lifer for him and he was very happy to see it!
**On April 2 (Saturday) a resident of Alma noticed an
unknown species of bird in their yard. Neil Vinson of Fundy National Park was
enlisted to view and help identify the bird on Sunday morning April 3.
According to proper Birding Etiquette he was obliged to not divulge the
location to ensure the resident's privacy.
After photos
were posted the possibility was raised that it might be an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. As they had been birding half the day already
Therese and Jim decided to go and see if the bird decided to go for a
walkabout.
As they
drove eastbound on Alma's Main Road Therese noticed a heron-like bird in the
westbound lane. They stopped quickly and it promptly flew behind the Holy Whale
Brewery and Cleveland Place. They photographed it in both locations. Thanks to
Steve and Jane Chrysostom of Cleveland Place for allowing them to photograph the bird from
their yard.
They also have some video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTgp-vhonac
**It’s that
time of year when we can usually see black small millimeter long critters, Springtails,
leaping about on remnants of granular ’corn’ snow. They are around all year,
but this is the time we tend to notice them most. Fred and Lynn Dube are
noticing them around their yard pond. Although they are often black in colour,
that can vary somewhat and the Dube’s are seeing many hundreds of them as coral
to yellow in colour which is not unexpected.
These
amazing critters deserve a moment of explanation. Springtails are not considered
insects but actually in a class of their own: Collembola. The part of
the body that is used to help these little ones in “springing” is the forcula,
which is on the end of the abdomen. This forked structure helps propel the
Springtails up to 300 body lengths away!
They are
often used to seed terrariums and vivariums. They keep the mold to a
nonexistent level and consume fallen leaves, break down animal waste, and
leftover food that might be uneaten. They readily float on water as the outer
part of their body is a hard cuticle that repels water.
If you are
lucky enough to come across some Springtails in your yard or on your plants,
just remember how helpful they can be.
Take look at
the action at the attached link:
He discovered
several deposits of White-tailed deer scat hidden behind shrubs at the back of the
yard and then later photographed an American Crow, one of 3, that was
foraging on the lawn.
In other shrubs he
found another nest the same as others he has been noticing lately in
other spots. (Editors note: any potential comments on the original owner would
be appreciated).
Brian also included
a photo of the 2% crescent Moon taken at sunset on Saturday.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
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