Nature Moncton Nature News: July 24 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

July 24, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** The write-up for this coming week’s Nature Moncton Wednesday evening walk is at the end of this edition so people can slot off that night on the calendar, and it will appear up front again on Wednesday morning.

** On July 22, 2023, Barb Curlew made her ‘rounds’ for the first time in two weeks of the Waterside area, and she was pleasantly surprised to see fledged young-of-the-year Eastern Bluebirds and their faithful parents keeping watch.

(Editor’s note: newly fledged Eastern Bluebirds sport a plumage that makes them easily identifiable.)

Likewise, there were baby Barn Swallows resting on the road (Long Marsh Lane) which, Barb comments, was not a safe place for them!

**Aldo Dorio photographed a single Least Sandpiper at Hay Island on Sunday. The advance wave of females will start to arrive to the Atlantic Coast followed by the males, then the young-of-the-year birds.

**Brian Stone went to Hillsborough on Sunday to check in the White Rock Recreational Area to see if the Western Tailed Blue Butterfly was still present this late in the season. This tiny butterfly can be found at the south/eastern edge of the recreational area below the Hillsborough Golf Course and usually flies from early June to mid-July. Brian managed to find three individuals that were in varying stages of wear and sends photos of the least worn individual.

Brian also noted a Primrose Moth partially hidden in an Evening Primrose bloom and took photos from several angles to illustrate its behavior. He later saw and photographed a larger moth seemingly "frozen" on one of the many Viper's Bugloss flowering plants, but upon examining the moth closely, he discovered a Spider on the underside of the moth, and the scenario came into focus. A big lunch for a small spider.

** NATURE MONCTON WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALK

JULY 26, 2023

Salt Marsh Behind Beaubassin Research Station in Aulac at 7:00 pm, guided by Louise Nichols

This Wednesday’s walk will be on part of the dyke road that runs alongside the Cumberland Basin, including an area of salt marsh that houses Nelson’s Sparrows. We will listen for the sparrows and hopefully spot some who sometimes sit atop the vegetation when they sing. Other birds commonly seen in the area are Savannah, Swamp and Song Sparrows, warblers (especially Common Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler), Northern Harriers, and shorebirds which are now arriving. Butterflies and dragonflies are possible, along with various plant species beside the road and in the marsh. If we’re lucky, we may even spot a Short-eared Owl as dusk approaches.

To get there, take the Aulac exit (1^st exit past Sackville) from the TCH. From the exit ramp, turn right toward Aulac Rd. and then left at the stop sign. Go past the Irving Big Stop until almost the end of the road where you’ll see a small gravel road on the right called Brown Rd (note there is no sign at the road but it is labeled “Brown Rd” on Google Maps). Turn right and follow that road past various marsh impoundments and then over the railway tracks. You’ll see a house on the right which is the Beaubassin Research Station (you may see students inside with scopes set up). Behind the house is a parking area. We will meet there at 7:00.

This is a fairly easy walk, mostly on a dirt road or grassy dyke. In addition to the birds and other nature interests, the sunset scenery is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing you all there! Bring mosquito protection.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton