Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 11 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Sept 11, 2022 (Sunday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**Louise Nichols joined a group in the surprisingly chilly north wind for the Nature Moncton shorebird outing to Petit-Cap on Saturday afternoon, guided by Roger Leblanc. The usual shorebird species were present, including some distant Sanderlings. Notably absent were Short-billed Dowitchers. But the best show was not presented by shorebirds, but by a small group of Caspian Terns who were diving for fish in the shallow water of low tide, often successfully. Later, the terns could be seen resting on a sand dune with one vocal juvenile among them. Far off on the water, much activity was observed from a large group of birds consisting of Common Terns, various gulls, including Bonaparte's Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants. It would appear that they were enjoying a fishing frenzy, later gathering in a long line in the shallow water away from shore. Many thanks to Roger for giving his time to lead this group of enthusiasts

**John Inman had an immature Cooper’s Hawk patiently waiting in hiding for Rock Pigeons to land, but they appeared to be aware of the danger and kept circling to draw the raptor out.

John also photographed a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak noting a small blush of red on the chest. The Sibley guide points out some adult female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks do show this.

**Lisa Morris checked 2 bird house nests on Saturday. One occupied by Black-capped Chickadees last year was empty this year despite lots of chickadees in the area, so still awaiting swallows! Maybe next year.

The other one is photographed both in the box and with nest removed. No indentation in top- just a spider web. Looks similar to squirrel nests Lisa has had over the years.

The 2 squirrels quarrelling on a birdhouse shown in the video Lisa sent last month kept repeating that scenario over the summer (no babies involved). The 2 would constantly chase each other around the yard and up/down trees. She suspected the one being chased would try to get enough of a lead to get a slight reprieve in the birdhouse while the ‘bully’ squirrel egged it on from outside the birdhouse.

Lisa photographed a Common Eastern Bumblebee resting after it appeared to have fallen out of a blossom as she was picking flowers nearby. She was not sure if it was injured as it seemed to be sitting in a bit of a weird position. She waited a few minutes, and it flew off on its own power.

**Brian Stone walked the Caribou Plains Trail in Fundy National Park on Monday and finally (Brian’s words) sends a few photos from his walk. In the marshy section Brian photographed an Atlantis Fritillary Butterfly (Editor’s note: note the signature grey eye), a couple of Bullfrogs (Editor’s s note: note how the dorsal ridge curves around the tympanum to signal bullfrog identification), and 2 Spotted Spreadwing Damselflies. Along the trail he noticed an increase in the Mushroom population and photographed (under poor light conditions) some Coral Mushrooms. Water Arum had gone to seed in the marshy streams (Editor’s note: these berries will turn bright red when mature and have a pointed apex compared to the similar Jack-in-the-pulpit berries). Very few birds were heard or seen except a pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets that foraged near the trail, but somehow managed to avoid the camera even after a concerted effort by the photographer. They must have taken a special "evasive action" training course, possibly offered by park staff.

Nature Moncton

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