Nature Moncton Nature News: May 23 2023

May 23, 2023

Species names are in boldface when there is a photo included.

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** Jane LeBlanc in St. Martins got a call from her neighbour with the ‘magic yard,’ saying he had a Brown Thrasher there. It was the first time he'd seen one. Jane had seen them in Ontario, but not here. She did get a duo of nice photos.

** Louise Nichols explored another trail that is part of the Walker Road trail system in Sackville on Monday morning.

Once again, she found the trail alive with birds and was able to see and photograph a number of warblers: Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, Black-and-White, and Northern Parula.

A number of other warblers were present but not photographed, and Louise also heard Hermit Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo, among others. These trails are very pleasant, passing through mixed forest habitat -- an interesting area to watch throughout the summer months.

**Sterling Marsh reports that during the 40+ years he has lived on Shediac Road, this is the first time that he has spotted a male Baltimore Oriole. It was feeding at the hummingbird feeder, and it remained all day Sunday, looking quite drenched in the pouring rain. The oriole was still present on Monday, checking out shelled peanuts, and Sterling is putting out strawberry jam for its dining consideration.

Sterling also had a Northern Flicker, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a female Ring-necked Pheasant arrive.

**Rosita Lanteigne reports a Red-bellied Woodpecker has been present in her vicinity of Chemin St-Simon in Caraquet since November, 2022. The first time it was observed at her feeder was November 4, 2022, and it was still present Monday morning, May 22; they are privileged to still have it. Since November, it has also fed at the feeders of a few neighbours. It hasn't been vocal for a few days.

(Editor’s note: it has been interesting to note that we are still getting photos of remaining Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the latter part of May. In the past, they seemed to overwinter but leave in early spring. Could this possibly mean some are going to stay with us and nest in New Brunswick?)

**John Inman commented after the Bucky the Groundhog report that he has found they like apple pieces and dandelion foliage near the burrow. Both were placed out promptly, and one apple section vanished quickly!

**Brian Stone drove and walked along Taylor Rd. in Second North River (Salisbury area) in search of birds and butterflies, hoping to see more Elfin butterflies. Before getting to his ‘elfin spot,’ Brian heard an American Bittern calling in a marshy area beside the road and spent half an hour waiting and watching to finally get a few photos of it hiding behind branches and reeds.

At his Elfin spot, Brian began his slow walk along the road, trying to spot the tiny, fingernail-sized butterflies as they flitted about and landed on the dusty dirt of the road. Soon a Brown Elfin Butterfly appeared, and Brian managed a few photos before moving on to find at least two more specimens. With luck on his side, Brian came across 2 or 3 Bog Elfin Butterflies at the end point of his walk. Brian was very happy that he had braved the dense cloud of blackflies to finally achieve his goal for the day.

There were also a few dozen Northern Azure Butterflies going about their business on the road, and one was apparently deceased and was being dragged across the road by an industrious Ant. Brian spotted a few Beaverpond Baskettail Dragonflies as well, and a few more photos from the outing will be sent along tomorrow.

**Some of the marshes along the Miramichi River are ablaze with the brilliant yellow flowers of Marsh Marigold. Nelson Poirier got a few photos on Monday.

**Nelson Poirier has some new neighbours just up the road from his camp, and he couldn’t help but stop and check out the 3 goats and their guardian dog and get a few photographs.

Jessica and Kevin have the 3 goats who are very responsive to people’s attention.

The guard dog is the breed Maremma. This is a rare working dog breed, primarily used in herding/protecting livestock that originated in the Maremma region of central Italy. He was certainly guarding his charges and kept an eye on the photographer at all times.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton