Nature Moncton Nature News: May 25 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

May 25, 2022 (Wednesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**Catherine Hamilton captured some very pleasant photos of a Chestnut-sided Warbler, Veery, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, and Golden-crowned Kinglet in the Petitcodiac/Corn Hill area recently.

**Pat Gibbs went to Shopper's Drug Mart ditch/pond on Main St to photograph goslings on Monday and met up with another amateur photographer, Dave LeBlanc. He showed Pat where there was a muskrat lodge which a Canada Goose had appropriated to use as a nest site. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the muskrat at all that day, so Pat went back Tuesday around supper time and, sure enough, along came a Muskrat swimming towards his home. This is a first time for Pat with this critter.

**Louise Nichols scouted the trail through the Baie Verte Nature Reserve Wednesday morning, ahead of this weekend's Nature Moncton field trip there. She found the trail quite lively with birds, including all the expected warblers, a Northern Catbird (seen and heard but too skulky to be photographed) and a singing (not seen) Eastern Wood Pewee. The trail was also alive with many dragonfly species. A Red Fox crossed the trail in front of her at one point, stopping to leave its scent. The trail passes directly by a post on top of which is an active Osprey nest, and the Osprey were very much present overhead throughout the walk, but especially present at the nest sight voicing their disapproval at Louise's proximity. If all goes well with the weather this weekend, there should be much to see on our morning walk through this rich area.

Louise photographed a very conservatively plumaged warbler we both suspected to be a possible female Common Yellowthroat Warbler but hesitant to commit. A consult with Gilles Belliveau was rewarding when he gave his comment as “Not much to go on here based on the angle but fairly certain it’s a female Common Yellowthroat due to the very pale-yellow underparts which seem to go right up to the throat and the dull brownish upperparts and the apparent eye ring visible in one photo”.

**Clarence Cormier has 2 birds staying around his Grande Digue site with unusual plumage workings.

A Common Grackle has a white ring of plumage around the neck and a Red-winged Blackbird has an orange-coloured patch the back of the head. Both are behaving normally.

Also, a male Northern Cardinal (a first for Clarence) dropped by a feeder for a few seconds. Clarence is hoping it is the female's partner and they will offer him some photo opportunities in a family unit.

**The pair of Eastern Bluebirds that checked out Brian Coyle’s yard nest box on Monday returned to become a lot more serious about homesteading on Tuesday. A family is a brewing potential!

**Nature Moncton has a special field trip planned to visit Gagetown Island on July 16. There is a limit on participants so am sending out the notice below to give interested participants a chance to register early and/or go on a waiting list if necessary.

NATURE MONCTON OUTING

GAGETOWN ISLAND

Date: July 16, 2022 (rain date: July 17, 2022

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Gagetown Marina

Cost: $10

Not many of us have visited Gagetown Island, one of New Brunswick’ hidden gems in the middle of the St. John River. It’s a place we have all passed possibly hundreds of times, but not ventured out to. The island has a very old historic homestead; it is also home to a breeding Black Tern colony, and no doubt holds many other of nature’s surprises.

Nature Moncton is planning an exploration visit to the island on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

The island is only a short boat ride from the Gagetown Marina. Frank Merrill with Ducks Unlimited has kindly offered to ferry folks over to the island. Local historian John Johnson will also be present to provide an historical perspective. Gart Bishop will join us as well to help us out with our botanical discoveries.

We will meet at the Gagetown Marina at 10:00 AM to make sure not to miss the boat! The visit will end when it ends, but folks who wish to depart earlier can be transported back. Be prepared for biting insects and wet areas, and a packed lunch will be a necessity. The walking may be a bit rough at times, so please consider your level of physical fitness --don’t expect any groomed trails.

For those who are able, it’s a short canoe/kayak crossing if you wish to join by paddling.

Early registration is suggested with Louise Nichols, Activities Committee chairperson, at nicholsl@eastlink.ca with name and contact email as numbers may have to be limited to 20 people on the boats.

Nature Moncton members will be given priority and can register up to June 15. After that registration will be open to both members and non-members.

Join us for this unique adventure!

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com