Nature Moncton Nature News: October 31 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

October 31 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 the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com and proofreader Louise Nichols at 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

**When your bird dog points out the window, you better look to see what it is. In Jane LeBlanc's case, her Irish Setter was pointing to a Ruffed Grouse in a birch tree. Jane notes they usually don't show up until there is snow on the ground.

(Editor's note: the winter diet of the Ruffed Grouse is nutritionally packed tree buds that obviously include birch catkins as Jane's photo shows.)

Also in the yard, Jane's last Witch Hazel shrub is still in flower.

(Editor's note: The botanical antifreeze possessed by the Witch Hazel shrub is truly amazing. Its brilliant yellow flowers defy all odds blooming into November and occasionally December.)

**Aldo Dorio’s photographic catch on Wednesday was a side-by-side photo of an American Golden-plover and a Dunlin at Hay Island to compare these two species that can stay with us in New Brunswick until late in the shorebird season.

**Jessica Bowie in Miramichi photographed a fly recently with very unusual markings that left a lot wondering what species it may be. A few did suggest the possibility of a fungal infection, but Diptera guru Tony Thomas solved the mystery, and I am going to paraphrase Tony’s response below:

“The golden hairs on the thorax of the fly suggest it is a Cluster Fly. As a maggot, it is a common predator/parasite of earthworms. The adults overwinter, often in buildings. The fly in Jessica’s photo has been killed by the Pathogenic Fungus, Entomophthora muscae.)"

**Nelson Poirier noted the leaves have now fallen from Winterberry Holly shrubs to show the beautiful clusters of red berries that will cling to their branches all winter to the delight of fruit connoisseur birds.

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticsillata) is a native holly found in damp areas. This plant is dioecious meaning only female plants will produce berries.

The fruit is considered toxic to humans and pets but obviously not to birds that forage on the berries with gusto.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton