May 9, 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
** Brian Stone had a productive outing on Sunday at the Taylor Rd. in Salisbury/Second North River area. It was the sunniest and warmest day this season so far for him, and he drove (and walked some) the dirt road hoping for butterflies to show for the camera. Lucky for him, some did, including Mourning Cloak Butterfly, Mustard White Butterfly, Gray Comma Butterfly, and the small Northern Azure Butterfly. He was hoping to find Elfins but was disappointed in that wish.
At the beginning of
the dirt section of the road, Brian was standing between two Northern
Waterthrush that were calling loudly, assuming to each other. A pair of Swamp
Sparrows appeared in the same spot, maybe attracted to the commotion.
At a beaver dam pond, Brian found a wealth of spring
life, starting with a low flyover by an immature Bald Eagle and several Palm
Warblers perching in trees nearby. Many small Fish were schooling
near the edge of the pond and were possibly outnumbered by the Bullfrog
Tadpoles that seemed to be uncountable. A pair of mating Spring Peepers (amplexus) popped up for air to give Brian one of the photo opportunities he had been
waiting for since spring began. Lots of small Wolf Spiders hurried along the
ground and were likely hoping to avoid the Spider Wasps that were
hustling to find them.
As Brian approached another pond, a small flock of Black
Ducks flew off and circled long enough for a few photos to be taken. At
several stops along the road, Blue-headed Vireos were also singing their
best songs, and many Ruby-crowned Kinglets were doing the same but were
much more adept at avoiding the camera. In the wet ditches beside the road,
some Leopard Frogs were croaking for attention, and lots of amphibian
egg masses were present. One small Predacious Diving Beetle nearly
got the squash treatment as it was parked on the ground right beside Brian's
car at one stop. It was lucky to avoid the car and Brian's foot, and maybe it
should buy a lottery ticket to complete its lucky day.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
