Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 2 2022

August 1, 2022 (Monday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**The regular Wednesday evening Nature Moncton outing is happening tomorrow night, a bit farther afield but a very special one to a spot many may not have yet been to but can assure them that once they become familiar with it, they will want to return.

Details below and will be repeated tomorrow:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALK – AUGUST 3^RD

The Wednesday night walk this week, guided by Louise Nichols, will be through a portion of the Tintamarre National Wildlife Area near Sackville. The word “tintamarre,” a French word meaning “loud noise” or “uproar,” is thought to have referred to the commotion of waterfowl in the wetlands of this area. Indeed, the area includes the 3 large lakes that are known collectively as the Jolicure Lakes as well as many acres of wetlands, including fens, swamps, and bogs. Also in the area are several controlled impoundments managed by Ducks Unlimited for the support of fish and waterfowl habitat.

We will meet at 6:30 at an old church in Pointe de Bute. From the Trans-Canada Highway, take exit 513B at Aulac which leads to Hwy 16 and PEI. Follow Hwy 16 to Pointe de Bute. The speed limit slows to 80 km at that point, and you will see a left-hand turn lane. Move into that lane and turn left. Shortly after that turn, you will see a white church on the right with some parking space in front of it which is where we will gather at 6:30.

From there we will drive together into the Tintamarre area, following the road to Paunchy Lake. We will park along the way and walk the rest. The walk will be an easy trek along a flat dirt road.

If anyone is interested in more information on this area, you can find plenty at the following link:

Tintamarre National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 1 - Canada.ca

**Georges Brun was at the Chartersville Cemetery on Monday and heard a parent Killdeer call to the chicks then play hurt to distract Georges away and to alert the chicks to conceal themselves. There were 2 small chicks but they were cooperative for a photo op. The parent bird was using the drainage ditch with suitable gravel on the middle of the roadway.

Georges comments “never know what you get to see while you're e-biking”!

Georges also noted shorebirds at Bis Marsh on July 20 noting Short-billed Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs along with the resident Spotted Sandpiper photographing a young-of-the-year bird.

He also noted Monarch Butterflies mating.

**John Hamer has experience with taking short slow-motion videos and shares a recent one he took of a Peregrine Falcon gliding and hunting on updrafts. Take a look at the action at the attached link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjfhq74dxn1cnbx/Peregrine%20Falcon.mp4?dl=0

**On Monday morning, Yolande LeBlanc wondered why she wasn't seeing any birds. Yolande then saw a Cooper's Hawk on the back lawn, sitting on a wriggling black bird, either a Red-winged Blackbird or a Common Grackle. It must have sensed being watched as it promptly flew off with prey in tow.

Yolande also sends photos taken July 28 of a juvenile Northern Cardinal. (Editors note: the bill remains dark in the young-of-the-year bird until fall, then it becomes red). She now only sees one juvenile at a time but hears the adults at all times of the day, not always seeing them.

** Louise Nichols joined the Monarch Butterfly crew for the Monarch Blitz on Sunday afternoon. She sends some photos of Rhéal Vienneau's interesting yard and his display of caterpillars and eggs, and a couple of the Monarch Butterflies which were enjoying the Swamp Milkweed in the yard. She also sends a photo of one of the beautiful Cecropia Moth caterpillars that Rhéal is raising. It was very interesting to learn more about the Monarch Butterfly and its fascinating migratory journey.

**Roger LeBlanc reports the last site surveyed in the Monarch Butterfly survey on Sunday was a large one, estimating 5000 plants, and easy to find; just drive down 106 (Salisbury road) going towards Salisbury and at 14 km (from Moncton traffic circle), take the round about turning right onto Lower Mountain Rd. Cross the railroad track approximately a hundred meters up on it and the milkweed are all along it.

Rhéal Vienneau’s yard was by far the most productive quantity-wise during the survey.

**Aldo Dorio photographed a very cooperative American Painted Lady Butterfly at Malpec on Monday nectaring on Joe- Pye weed.

Another plant blooming at the moment that is popular with pollinators is Common Tansy which Aldo photographed with busy bees at work.

**Brian Stone sends a few more pictures from Perth, Ontario. Several Turkey Vultures fly overhead at his family's place regularly and they glide silently quite close above.

Inside the home a Common Looper Moth ( the signature perched stance and florescent white stigma shouts that one is looking at a looper) perched in a variety of places over a two-day period.

At the big pond a Green Heron patiently fished for lunch from a small dry branch sticking up from the water, and a Green Frog rested scenically on a lily pad in a classic arrangement.

One of many Canada Darner Dragonflies (editors note: look for the map of Nova Scotia on the thorax as an ID clue) perched long enough for a portrait and on the path towards home Brian spotted an insect he had never seen before, a Pigeon Horntail (Tremex columba). As scary as it looks the literature points out it does not bite or sting. It just uses its ovipositor to lay eggs under tree bark.

**Nelson Poirier has had a Mourning Dove nesting ‘on top’of a Nature Moncton nest box attached under the eave of the house and beside the deck. A parent has been on the nest incubating for at least 15 days. A birth announcement was anticipated. However, the adult has suddenly left the nest and no eggs hatched. A suspected “miscarriage”!

Peterson’s guide states that the parents spell each other off at dawn and dusk. That scenario was not witnessed but very likely happened.

Brian Stone photographed the nest on July 24.

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com