Nature Moncton Nature News: September 10 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Sept 10, 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

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Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**As mentioned in an earlier edition, it’s that time of year when we tend to see the larger female spiders laden with eggs and actively foraging to meet the demands of that egg cargo. We have had several observations/photographs of the more common Back and Yellow Argiope. Bev Schneider was able to capture a photo of the less common but not rare Banded Argiope which is equally as colourful.

**Barbara Smith and her sister went for a walk along the beach in Cap-Pélé last Wednesday when they very nearly stepped on an extremely tiny, very well-camouflaged crab in the wet sand. They don't know whether it was a baby crab or perhaps an adult of a very small species. It was less than an inch wide but Barbara was able to get a documentary photo.

Consultation with Ann Bardou, who has had a lot of experience with seashore life, offered some interesting helpful comments and I am sharing those comments as Ann sent them:

“With the shape of its carapace, I would say a young Green Crab (Carcinus maenas). They can vary in colour particularly when they are young. I have seen green, brown, orange, and all three colours in the same individual.

They are quite abundant now (invasive species). I hardly ever see Rock Crabs (Carcinus irroratus) anymore, at least in the Bay of Fundy. I jump with joy when I see one.”

**Barbara Smith also shares an article from the Globe and Mail about Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth, N.S. It takes up a full page in the weekend edition with lots of good photos.

Hope Swinnamer has built up an incredible wildlife rehabilitation centre that has earned very wide recognition, and parts of the centre can be visited by the public. It is located in Seaforth, NS which is near Halifax.

Barbara got permission to share this write-up at the link below and was advised most folks may be able to open and enjoy this very well-done piece of reporting.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hope-for-wildlife-rehabilitation/