Nature Moncton Nature
News
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well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond, are invited to share their
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observations/photos with Nature News, contact the editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
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Proofreading courtesy of
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The camera on the peregrine
falcon nest box on the summit of Assumption Place is now live. When
checking the link to watch the activity, scroll down to the first large image,
which shows what is happening in real time.
The action in the
peregrine falcon box on the summit of Assumption Place has now become nonstop,
with two very busy parents tending to the insatiable appetites of four
teenagers.
Https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam
**Pat Fox observed the
horsehair worm (Gordian worm) on its mission on the shore of the Northumberland
Strait. This is always a surprise to come across. I am attaching a piece of
information from Wikipedia that explains this phenomenon.
“Nematomorpha (sometimes called Gordiacea, and
commonly known as horsehair worms, hairsnakes,[1][2][3] or Gordian
worms) are a phylum of parasitoid animals similar
to, yet distinct from, nematode worms in morphology, hence the name. Most species range
in size from 5 to 10 centimetres (2 to 4 in), reaching 2 metres (6 ft
7 in) in extreme cases, and 1 to 3 millimetres (0.039 to 0.118 in) in
diameter. Horsehair worms can be discovered in damp areas, such as watering
troughs, swimming pools, streams, puddles, and cisterns. The adult worms are
free-living, but the larvae are parasitic on arthropods,
such as beetles, cockroaches, mantises, orthopterans,
and crustaceans.[4] About
351 freshwater species are known[5] and
a conservative estimate suggests that there may be about 2000 freshwater
species worldwide.[6] The
name "Gordian" stems from the legendary Gordian
knot. This relates to the fact that nematomorphs often coil themselves into
tight balls resembling knots.[
**The Guardian, which offers unfettered, free access to all its stories, has published a story today that Barbara Smith thinks will really interest blog readers. I've included the link below.
It's about a rewilding
project in Somerset, England, and how quickly a former dairy farm has been
regenerated and welcomed back native plants, animals, birds, and insects. It's
truly inspiring, and something we in NB might look to emulate.
**John Inman sends a photo of ‘part’ of a blue jay flock that's still present and hoping they will soon go way; other birds don't get a chance to feed or come to the feeders.
(Editor’s note: Yes, John,
I am experiencing the same thing. I thought the blackbird invasion was bad.
Should they maybe be off seeking nesting territories by now?)
**Brian Coyle got an
excellent video on his trail camera route at a beaver dam where some river
otters put on a lively show of their habit of showing how “life otter be!”
Check out the video link below to see the action:
**David Lilly captured a
photo of a male common yellowthroat announcing his territory at the
Irving Nature Park.
David also photographed a black
duck, a red squirrel, and a snoozing mallard duck.
**It’s Apple Blossom time, which also means time for the cedar waxwings to enjoy foraging on the petals.
Nelson Poirier
photographed a group doing just that on Tuesday.
**Back on Sunday, Brian
Stone joined Cathy Simon on an outing to the Mapleton Acadian Forest Park near
Elgin. It was a bit cool and cloudy, the flies were biting, and the birds
were active. They spotted several species of warblers and Brian photographed
some of them, even though the light was dim, including northern parula, blackburnian
warbler, black and white warbler, magnolia warbler, American
redstart, red-eyed vireo, black-throated green warbler,
and black-throated blue warbler. Some of the other interesting natural
items noted were British soldier lichen, mushrooms, bunchberry
and blueberry flowering, and apple trees still displaying their
colourful blossoms. The lady's slipper orchids seemed to be a bit behind
in their development, unless the more developed specimens Brian has seen
elsewhere are ahead for some reason. The scenery was wonderful as usual,
and water was flowing strongly in the small streams, creating little waterfalls
that offered relaxing rest stops for the hikers.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
