Nature Moncton Nature News: August 13 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

August 13, 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

**It will leave a sad feeling with many of us having to say goodbye to two people who have served faithfully as part of the Nature Moncton community over many years.

Both Bob Childs and Aerolynn Greene have passed away in the past week. They are leaving many pleasant memories of their time as active members of Nature Moncton.

The obituary for Bob is at Robert Childs (cobbsfuneralhome.ca)

and obituary for Aerolynn is at https://www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/179458

**This Wednesday evening’s Nature Moncton walk write-up is below and the weather is looking great.

Location: Water Retention Ponds (Sackville)

Start time: 6:00 pm

Host: Louise Nichols

Starting Location: Parking available along the side of St. James St. in Sackville. Driving the Trans Canada, take Sackville exit #504. Go through the lights and continue along Main St. (Rte 940) as it veers to the left. You will reach a 2nd set of lights at the intersection of Main and Bridge St. Turn left onto Bridge St. Turn right on the next street (Lorne St). Turn left on St. James St.

The Sackville Retention Ponds were created in the heart of Sackville to divert rainwater through a series of ponds connected by culverts and ditches out to the Tantramar River. Not only does the system provide flood protection to the town, but it is also a potentially significant area for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other bird and insect life. The ponds are surrounded by easy walkable trails, so this walk is classified as an easy walk of approximately two to three km. In mid-August, we should see some ducks and shorebirds, but familiarity with the site is also worthwhile because shorebird activity may pick up as fall approaches and people may wish to return. In past years, many species of shorebird have been present, including the uncommon Stilt Sandpiper and Hudsonian Godwit.

Bug spray and protective clothing are recommended. Don’t forget to wear your name tag too!

All are welcome, Nature Moncton members or not.

**It’s that time of year when the caterpillar community is being noted in greater numbers.

Maureen Girvan got an excellent photograph of the Definite Tussock Moth (Orgyia definita). Maureen’s photo nicely shows the identification features of a yellowish head capsule, and body surface fully yellow with thin clusters of black slender setae on the head and rear typical of the tussock moth caterpillar group. The four dense hair clusters (verrucae) on the dorsal body also show well.

Like many tussock moths, the hairs (setae) can cause a rash if in contact with human skin.

**Aldo Dorio got a photo of a Short-billed Dowitcher still showing some breeding remnants at Wishart Point on Monday.

**Christine Lever comments she is currently reading a book called Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains written by Bethany Brookshire that is giving her food for thought. Wolves, bears, foxes, gophers, beavers, many birds, insects, and bats are easily labeled pests to be eradicated. We colonize their habitat and label them pests.

(Editor’s note: There is little doubt that some species humans have introduced that are non-native have become problematic. Over the years, many of our native species are no longer considered pests. A ‘hot button’ issue that could lead to diverse opinions!)

** On late Sunday night (and very early Monday morning) Brian Stone and several family members planted themselves in his sister's backyard for a few hours to view and count meteors from the Perseid meteor shower. Due to intermittent clouds and seemingly lower numbers than usual, they didn't see as many meteors as sometimes in previous occurrences of this shower. Brian still did manage to see 36 meteors over the few hours of viewing time and several of those were quite bright and impressive.

An added bonus to the evening (and following early morning) was the appearance of a very large and bright episode of the Aurora. Brian took some cell phone photos and sends some of the best ones to share. Also seen were the planets Jupiter and Mars in close conjunction near the interesting and famous Pleiades star cluster.

**Nelson Poirier photographed the sharply dressed Two-striped Grasshopper on the Escuminac Beach on July 28.

This common grasshopper is an easy one to identify by noting the pale-yellow stripes running along the top of its body from above its eyes to the hind tip of its wings. The brilliant red inner hind femur and tibia are another clue.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nature Moncton