Nature Moncton Nature News

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

July 17, 2022 (Sunday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

** Recently, the Activities Committee announced the cancellation of the Gagetown Island outing for June 16^th. The Activities Committee considered rescheduling the event for July 30, but the feedback received indicates that interest would be low for that particular date. Because of this – and because of other complications beyond their control – the Activities Committee decided to plan this trip for next summer instead, perhaps as early as June or earlier in July when there may be a better chance of observing the Black Tern colony in action. Stay tuned for next year – and hope those of you who signed up this year will have a second chance.

The very old homestead on the island will also be waiting to reveal the very interesting history it has to share!

** Cathy Simon recently attended a Monarch Butterfly ID workshop in Fredericton with NatureNB where she learned how to ID Swamp and Common Milkweed plants, male vs female adult Monarch butterflies, and the copycat Viceroy Butterfly. During the workshop, the group surveyed 282 plants at the Hyla Park Nature Preserve and found 2 adults and 28 eggs. With all the recent photos of milkweed and Monarch Butterflies appearing on the blog, Cathy wanted to share the Canadian Mission Monarch website, https://www.mission-monarch.org/

which is based out of Montreal. Members who have milkweed plants in their yard or know of wild patches are encouraged to create an account on this website, survey their plants, and submit the data.

**Grant Ramsey and Magda Kuhn spotted the beautiful

Polyphemus Moth day-resting while they were on a visit to Fundy

National Park recently. It cooperated for a pleasant photo.

**Georges Brun photographed a few lounging Ring-billed Gulls on the Petitcodiac River mud flats to note afterward that one was sporting a leg band. If Georges or anyone else spots this gull, try to get the number so it can be reported to the group that banded this gull.

Georges also spotted a doe White-tailed Deer appearing in very good condition and sporting the bright chestnut pelage of summer. She had at least one very lively fawn with her.

Great Blue Herons are also enjoying foraging the river as well.

Brian Stone, Gordon Rattray, and Nelson Poirier joined the New Brunswick Botany Club on Saturday to visit the highly-effective effort Neil Vinson has put into building a sizable pollinator garden at Fundy National Park. The pollinator garden is located on the left side of the road just as one starts down the Point Wolf Road from headquarters. It is a very recommended stop this summer!

Neil Vinson and Denis Doucet also took the group on a hike with botany interests foremost on mind down the nature packed Kinnie Brook Trail, yet another of the amazing trails waiting for visitors to Fundy National Park.

Hundreds of photos were taken which, when processed, will be put out as a special edition for those who have botanical interests to peruse.

A wonderful day at that beautifully preserved piece of the natural world, Fundy National Park.

**The surprises that can be had watching nature action in your own backyard can make for second looks. Nelson Poirier noted some of the unusual markings on a young-of-the-year Red-winged Blackbird molting to its first summer male plumage checking out the peanut feeder.

In a nearby White Cedar hedge, a Black-capped Chickadee was ‘spread eagle’ soaking up the warm sunshine.

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com