Nature Moncton Nature News: April 14 2023

April 14, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** The write-up on tomorrow’s Saturday Nature Moncton Sea Duck field trip is repeated at the end of this edition.

**Brian Coyle checked his trail cameras from the week’s activities to find a Red Fox that was quite striking against the bright white of the daytime snow.

At the exact same location, a Coyote appeared with what appears to be mange at the tip of the tail?

It was nice to see that the Bobcats are still around, even though it is a fleeting glimpse of one at the Beaver Pond.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o9ain6fkdamkk5e/Red%20Fox%20-%20Brian%20Coyle.MP4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/owjkt703jnjgp8z/Coyote%20-%20Brian%20Coyle.MP4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6h22q2qrwqvs7ws/Bobcat%20-%20Brian%20Coyle.mp4?dl=0

Brian also spotted several Killdeer in the field across from his home recently, but no photos.

On Thursday afternoon, as Brian sat on his back deck, feeding a resident Chipmunk from his hand, he heard a Ruffed Grouse drumming close by. To his surprise, it was at the edge of Brian's backyard, perched on a large poplar tree that had blown over last fall. There was too much brush between Brian and the grouse to film the drumming.

Next, he heard the unmistakable song of an Eastern Phoebe and then was able to observe it, with the characteristic "tail bobbing" and quick darts out to catch an insect out of the air and right back to the same perch.

**Aldo Dorio was fortunate enough to have an American Woodcock visit his Neguac backyard and cooperate for a photograph. He also had an Eastern Phoebe arrive as well, very actively getting insect prey in the pleasant Sun.

Aldo also got a photograph of a female Snow Bunting at Hay Island on Thursday that contrasts with the strikingly plumaged male at this time of year.

**Brian Stone returned to Highland Park on Thursday to find that as much as 50% of the pond water was open and ready for ducks and other pond birds to move in. Already present were a Pied-billed Grebe, a couple pairs of Canada Geese, an American Coot, and 2 Kingfishers. The kingfishers were in top shape, flying around so fast they were near invisible and certainly not able to be caught by the camera. The same applied to several Tree Swallows that taunted the photographer with their aerial antics.

A Muskrat was considerate enough to stop at the edge of the pond long enough to get a photo, and a Bald Eagle flew overhead, surveying the area.

**Nelson Poirier was in the Bouctouche area on Thursday to check out the Bouctouche lagoon and coastline area along the routes toward Shediac.

A significant group of scaup was at the Bouctouche lagoon, appearing to be predominantly Lesser Scaup, with a few Greater Scaup among them.

Along the coast, several small rafts of Black Scoter were noted, being predominantly adult male.

A pair of Killdeer were very actively bathing in a large puddle and showing the orangish rump area as they preened. We don’t often see this area unless in flight or preening.

Another photo shows the orange eye ring of the species.

** Brian Stone recently photographed a minnow whose identification we were not sure of.

Alyre Chiasson points out it is a Killifish, noting the flat head, dorsal mouth, and vertical bars on the sides. The fish has black spot disease. Those pepper-sized spots are cysts of a parasitic trematode (several species). No real harm to the fish or humans. When a fish-eating bird (heron, Kingfisher) eats an infected fish, it develops in the bird's gut and is excreted as another life stage in the water. There, it is picked up by a freshwater snail, from which it is released as another life stage that is picked up by the fish.

**Sea duck workshop is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 15 with a pleasant weather forecast.

SEA DUCK MIGRATION OUTING

Date: Saturday, April 15^th, 2023Time: 9:30 AM

Place: Sobeys at Elmwood Drive

Guide: Roger Leblanc

We all know what ducks are. They are one of the most recognizable groups of birds. They are big, colorful (males in particular), and not hard to find. But did you know that in these parts, we are fortunate enough to be right in the passing lane of sea duck migration, a natural phenomenon that can be quite impressive? In early spring, many sea ducks that have wintered on the coast of the Atlantic will be on the move, following the Northumberland strait up to their northern breeding grounds. En route, they will often stop to feed and rest in large numbers. And this is our chance to observe them at a time when they are dressed in their finest and when their breeding behavior and vocalizations are not only possible but expected.

To help you take in this natural spectacle, Nature Moncton is offering a sea duck migration outing on April 15^th. Roger Leblanc will be our leader on this quest. He has been studying the sights and sounds of sea ducks on the Northumberland coast for decades and is always pleased to share that knowledge with others.

So why not join us Saturday, April 15^th, for a fun outing to the world of migrating sea ducks? The group will assemble at 9:30 AM in the parking lot of the Elmwood Dr. Sobeys in Moncton. If you live nearer the coast, you can also join us around 10:00 am on the south side of the new bridge in Cocagne on Route 134.

From there, we will explore several known hot spots for sea duck migration up to and including Bouctouche. So, if you have always wanted to know more about sea ducks and their habits, this activity is for you. Come join us for a fun learning activity.

Bring lunch, water, and snacks.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

**It’s Friday in our day to review what next week’s night sky will have in store for us courtesy of sky guru Curt Nason.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2023 April 15 – April 22
One third of the way from Arcturus to Vega is a pretty semicircle of stars that makes up Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. In the middle of the semicircle is the constellation’s brightest star, called Gemma (“jewel”) or Alphecca (“bright star of the broken ring”), among other names. About seven years ago, the International Astronomical Union started approving official names for stars, and Alphecca was chosen over Gemma.

Some ancient societies regarded Corona Borealis as a begging bowl, and in local aboriginal legend, it is the cave from which the bear (the bowl of the Big Dipper) emerges in spring. In Greek mythology, it was a crown worn by Bacchus, the god of wine, who lived on the island of Naxos. Theseus, an Athenian prince, went to Crete as part of a group of youth who were to be placed in the labyrinth as food for the Minotaur. With the aid of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, Theseus slew the Minotaur and found his way out of the labyrinth. In love with Ariadne, he took her aboard to sail back to Athens. They stopped at Naxos where Bacchus also fell in love with Ariadne, and he made Theseus leave without her. To prove his love and his godliness to the skeptical Ariadne, he tossed the crown into the sky as a symbol of her beauty. Immortality and a lifetime supply of wine, who could pass that up?

This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 6:33 am and sunset will occur at 8:06 pm, giving 13 hours, 33 minutes of daylight (6:39 am and 8:09 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 6:20 am and set at 8:15 pm, giving 13 hours, 55 minutes of daylight (6:27 am and 8:18 pm in Saint John).

The Moon rises below Saturn Sunday morning, and the new moon occurs early Thursday. Look for a very slim crescent that evening. On Friday evening it is between Mercury and the Pleiades, and next Saturday the Moon is upper left of the Pleiades. Venus slides past the Hyades and by midweek it sets after 11 pm. Mars is moving through the middle of Gemini the Twins. Saturn is the lone naked-eye planet in the morning sky, rising just before 5 am this weekend. Early risers might see some meteors from the Lyrid shower late in the week.

On Sunday evening at 8 pm, tune in to the Sunday Night Astronomy Show via the Facebook page or YouTube channel of Astronomy by the Bay.

Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.