Nature Moncton Nature News: May 20 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

May 20, 2024

Nature Moncton members as well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond are invited to share their photos and descriptions of recent nature sightings to build a fresh (almost) daily edition of Nature News

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

Please advise both the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com and the proofreader nicholsl@eastlink.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

The live feed to the Peregrine Falcon nest box camera can be accessed at https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam

***There are two more events taking place over the next week. The May meeting of Nature Moncton will happen on Tuesday night, and a Warbler Walk next Saturday.

Both write-ups are at the end of this edition with Tuesday’s meeting upfront tomorrow.

**Norbert Dupuis is enjoying the warblers as well as the spring chorus up at Haut-du-Ruisseau Park in Memramcook. He photographed the warblers Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided on Sunday, preparing for the Nature Moncton visit coming up.

**The editor made an error in Sunday’s edition in the location of Peter Gadd's Tennessee Warbler. of where the Tennessee Warbler. It was actually in his Miramichi yard and the scenario is interesting.

The Gadds have a 'Warbler Fall' on their deck. This is an innovation Deana came across, employed by a birder in Ohio.

Some of their regular garden birds have used it for drinking and bathing but they have not had much luck with warblers. On Sunday, two Tennessee Warblers did seem to show an interest in it and fluttered nearby and around it for about 15 minutes, landing on it but never actually taking the plunge. There has to be something about the trickling water sound that drew them in. On Sunday a Yellow Warbler was in the vicinity. They don’t often get warblers near the patio. The lady in Ohio claims great warbler success. Here is a link:
WarblerFall | Attract Birds to Your Yard with Water

**Sterling Marsh enjoyed another great day at the Arthur Street lagoon in Memramcook watching waterfowl and photographing pairs of Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler enjoying their day as well.

**Several Nature Moncton members and friends were able to attend the bee-related event at Resurgo Place in Moncton on Sunday. It was an eye-popping event, and all kudos go to the folks who arranged it. The still displays downstairs were incredibly well done zeroing in on information about honeybees, wild bees, and pollinators in general, and the crucial role they play in the scheme of life. There were lots to take in for adults as well as children who appeared to be enjoying themselves very much.

On the upstairs level, Brian Pond displayed an active Honeybee hive under glass that beautifully demonstrated the amazing scenario within the hive unconcerned about the human presence gazing in wonder.

Brian was able to point out the one Queen responsible for all the bees within the hive and showed the circle of her offspring/workers taking care of her every need while she continued her mission of laying eggs. Some photos show the Queen (arrowed) with her circle of attendants attached.

(Editor’s note: it had been a while since I had visited Resurgo Place and was amazed at the wonderful job the City of Moncton has done in creating such a happening place so well-designed for adults and children to enjoy.

Resurgo Place is a very recommended spot to visit for residents and visitors.)

**Nelson Poirier retains fish offal of his own and any that he can get from others to place at a woods site with a trail camera placed on the booty to get the reward of seeing who comes to enjoy the seafood lunch.

Turkey vultures, ravens, and crows so far have been the most numerous patrons. Other patrons this year have been Raccoons and a Black Bear. It is assumed the Black Bear is a two-year-old wandering to establish new territory judging by its size compared to nearby trees, and by the fact that it also sometimes appears during the day.

Nelson suspects the critters know the site/sound of the truck arriving with groceries as Turkey Vultures seem to appear from nowhere circling in the air above and other critters seem to arrive immediately after the drop-off.

This coming Tuesday night, May 21st, will be Nature Moncton meeting night with the speaker live at Mapleton Lodge and available virtually. The second half of the meeting will be devoted to our Peregrine Falcon family. Write up below:

MAY MONTHLY MEETING PRESENTATION

Topic: Fundy Biosphere’s “Forests of the Future”

Tuesday, May 21^st, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Nigel McLaughlin

This presentation, about the Fundy Biosphere’s “Forests of the Future” program, will show how the program aims to increase the overall climate resilience of the Wabanaki (Acadian) forest by planting climate resilient, native tree species and connecting with landowners and the public to spread awareness about climate resilient forestry practices. Nigel McLaughlin, who is a registered professional forester for the Fundy Biosphere Region and manager of the project, will go over the guiding principles of the program as well as explain what native species will be best suited to our future climate condition. He will also showcase what the Fundy Biosphere is currently working on in our forests, including their current tree planting efforts and forest carbon inventories, and ending with what the future of the program will look like.

After the break, we will check in with Moncton's most famous family. Many people, both within the club and beyond, have been glued to their computer screens in recent weeks, watching the Peregrine Falcons on camera as they settled in their nest, laid their eggs, patiently incubated the eggs and now finally are caring for the chicks. Fred Richards and Cathy Simon will present an update on some of the highlights of recent weeks and let us know what we can expect to see as the chicks continue to grow.

This will be an in-person presentation at the Rotary Lodge with a Zoom link for those who want to join in from home.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85991525901?pwd=d3R2Ly9kSnMzSGFqYWFkeTBNRUZiUT09

**The second event of the week will be next Saturday, May 25, with early scouting suggesting the timing could be right on. The write-up is below:

Nature Moncton invites you to a warbler walk on May 25, 2024 starting from 9:00 a.m. until around 1:00 p.m.. We will begin from the parking lot of the Haut-du-Ruisseau Nature Park in Memramcook. Last year we had a Wednesday Walk here and it was quite enjoyable with lots of small birds. The trails are well maintained with a few hills. The environment is varied with woodland, open fields and a beautiful creek with a wide flood plain. All in all, it is a very good habitat for birding. Rain or shine, all are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not. The park is located at the corner of Breau Creek Road and Palmer Road. The map below shows the route to the park from Home Hardware in Memramcook.

For those of you who enjoy taking photos, save your best photos of warblers or any other nature shots you take throughout the morning. Put a selection of your photos on a USB drive and bring it to the Nature Moncton June BBQ. After we feast on hamburgers and socialize, we will invite anyone with photos from the warbler outing to share them with the group. It's a great way to remember the highlights of the outing and to learn from each other's observations.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nature Moncton