Nature Moncton Nature News: May 13 2023

May 13, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**On Thursday, Barb Curlew saw a pair of Blue-winged Teal, several Savannah Sparrows, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and 12 GREATER YELLOWLEGS in Waterside.

Barb has had very few sightings of Blue-winged Teal in recent years.

They usually see the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird by May 10th. This year they saw the first one on May 9th. Some other species seen were Blue-headed Vireo (May 11th) Black and White Warbler (May 10th).

**Shannon Inman got 2 nice photos of a first summer male Orchard Oriole Friday morning.

John checked his files, and Orchard Orioles have been a regular visitor since 2009. While he was sending the oriole photos, a pair of Bobolinks flew by the backyard; hopefully, they will drop in for a photo op.

** Jane LeBlanc had an appointment in Hampton Friday morning, so she checked out the lagoon. She found Northern Shovelers, Common Goldeneyes, and many Turkey Vultures.

Returning to St. Martins, her friend on Main Street said he had Baltimore Orioles. Jane went down to find a pair of Baltimore Orioles, one of the Orchard Orioles, a female Rose Breasted Grosbeak, and Bobolinks.

**Rick Elliott and Barb Curlew observed a small flock (10-14) of shorebirds in Waterside late Friday afternoon. They took lots of photos but were able to get only documentary photos.

In consultation with Gilles Belliveau for his thoughts, he comments, “The photos are pretty challenging since you can’t really see much detail, but based on what I can see, I’m fairly confident they are Least Sandpipers.”

**Deanna Fenwick’s feeders have been busy with a few new species to add. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is still visiting, along with the usual Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Purple Finches, American Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red Breasted Nuthatch, and Black-capped Chickadees, although the numbers are declining as the Purple Finches move on. However, a pair of Chipping Sparrows have turned up, and a White-Throated Sparrow as well. At the Sackville Waterfowl Park, the Yellow Warblers are returning, and Deanna also spotted a Blue-headed Vireo, a Northern Parula Warbler, and a Least Flycatcher. Deanna was pleased to get help with the identification of these as she was on a walk with someone from Birds Canada who was there to promote Global Bird Day on Saturday.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton