NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
March 15, 2023
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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Proofreading
courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca
**Louise
Nichols took advantage of the sunny spring weather on Monday to explore some
spots around Memramcook and Dorchester, including a long walk down Dorchester
Island Rd. to the Memramcook River. The morning hoarfrost created some
beautiful scenery just about everywhere. Birds were still few and far
between. The best bird sighting Louise had was an adult Red-tailed Hawk
in flight lit by the sun while she was driving with another car behind her and
nowhere to pull over. She also saw -- while she was driving -- a small
flock of eiders flying up the river. Otherwise, she saw a few of the
typical winter birds. Louise attaches some photos.
(Editor's note: when zooming in on Louise's photo of Maritime Sunburst Lichen, the numerous fruiting bodies typical of this lichen species show well)
**Jane LeBlanc in St. Martins has heard Canada Geese in
the marsh the last few days as she was walking her dog. In her yard on Tuesday, just
before the snow started, she saw several Common Grackles and a bright-looking
pair of American Robins feeding on the Mountain Ash berries.
(Editor’s note: the latter two arrivals must very
much appreciate the berries Jane stored for them last fall!)
**Shannon Inman could not relocate the Brant she saw on
the Shepody River on Monday. The tide was partly out, so possibly it/they were out in the
bay, or it was just a brief stay. She did get a photo of a handsomely attired male Hooded
Merganser.
Behind their
home, 9 White-tailed Deer were going to attempt a crossing of the Shepody River.
Two deer tried the mud, but after further discussion, they decided to try
another spot.
**Daryl Doucette photographed a prime-appearing Woolly Bear Caterpillar strolling across the warm pavement of
his driveway on Tuesday.
This caterpillar is the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth, which
overwinters as the caterpillar stage and can be found happily roaming about, especially
during the first few warm days of late winter. It can even be seen moving about
on warm days in midwinter. It will go into the pupal (cocoon) stage for a brief
period in spring before emerging as the flying adult Isabella Tiger Moth.
Nelson Poirier
Nature
Moncton