Nature Moncton Nature News: July 21 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

July 21, 2022 (Thursday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**As reported earlier, Fred Dube placed 2 Nature Moncton nest boxes beside a man-made pond roadside in Lower Coverdale. The nest boxes are placed on adjacent utility poles. Eastern bluebirds appear to have occupied both boxes. It has been a challenge to get photographs of activity. Fred has spotted two adults and very recently saw birds that appear to be fledglings.

Fred spotted the birds there on Wednesday morning and one appears to be showing natal down. Even though the boxes are roadside and very visible, the birds have been very challenging to photograph. They seem to be very aware if a vehicle slows up to monitor activity.

**Monarch Butterflies do seem to be having a good year.

Jamie Burris reports his grandsons visited their Riverview yard on Wednesday evening and found 10 Monarch Butterfly eggs and 7 caterpillars, the longest one being approximately 1/4 in.

** John Filliter was visiting Cap Brulé neighbours on Monday night when an unexpected guest dropped in. The neighbours had been disturbed by an intruder at 4:00 a.m. the previous night. John took photos of it during this visit and shares them of the Northern Flying Squirrel that would let them get within feet of it to take pictures ... almost appearing to enjoy posing! They offered it a few nuts, which it eventually consumed. The neighbours aren't sure how it got in but would prefer not to have more visits inside their cottage!

** While checking his trail cameras on Sunday, July 17 Brian Coyle came across 3 Great Horned Owlets at a beaver dam. They were capable of flying very well but were very happy to cooperate for several beautiful photos, seemingly very happy to do so. Brian stayed very quiet when he spotted them and his Zoom camera made them quite unconcerned about being recorded.

Brian also got a great video to share. Check out the action at the link below. Beautiful!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4e6jh7go6kk1xws/DSCN2498.MOV?dl=0

** Nature Moncton enjoyed a lovely walk around Salisbury's Wetlands on Wednesday evening with very content participants for the regular Wednesday evening walk. Thanks to David Miller for joining and showing everyone where the American Coot Chicks were residing. They were a hit with all who enjoyed this walk along with several other young water birds. Yellow Warblers, a very co-operative Eastern Kingbird, some interesting plants, several species of water birds and overhead raptors were all a delight to enjoy.

There are many opportunities for excellent photos which will be appearing over the next few editions. A delightful breeze helped to keep bugs away; however, it was apparent the Cedar Waxwings that were looking for supper were not as delighted with this breeze as participants were.

** Brian Stone sends some photos from the Nature Moncton Wednesday Walk at Highland Park in Salisbury. He got photos of the American Coot and Coot Chicks, and an Eastern Kingbird alone and with a Blue Jay. Brian has a few more images he will send along for the next edition.

The orange-red crown patch is seldom visible on the Eastern Kingbird, but Brian got a very lucky photo of that!

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com