Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 31 2015

** Louise Nichols checked out the Landing Road on Sunday, a road leading west in Sackville between the government garage and the railway station; it leads to what is known as the Ram Pasture. She spotted 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard Saint-Martin], both juveniles, and got one to pose for a photo. She also photographed a black and yellow garden spider, a.k.a. BLACK-AND-YELLOW ARGIOPE {Argiope aurantia), a very colourful spider, at its full size this time of year.

On Sunday afternoon, in follow-up to a report by Kathy Popma, Louise found the WILSON'S PHALAROPE [Phalarope de Wilson] in the Sackville Waterfowl Park, among a crowd of GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand Chevalier] and LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit Chevalier]. It was in the area that is often referred to as the shorebird islands.

** Roger LeBlanc made a rewarding visit to Petit-Cap on Sunday morning, as the tide was high at 11 a.m. as it’s best to get there at half tide, while the birds are coming towards you. He spotted 11 shorebird species, with one STILT SANDPIPER [Bécasseau à échasses] as the bonus bird. At least 10 CASPIAN TERNS [Sterne caspienne] were actively foraging; he was able to hear their rasping calls.

** Georges Brun reports that a pod of HARBOUR PORPOISE [Marsouin commun] was divided into three groups of five, three; and at least 4 were spotted last Thursday in the Petitcodiac River, out from Chateau Moncton. This would have been a day of very high tides. [Transcriber’s note: The highest tides of this cycle will be tomorrow, Tuesday.] One would wonder what brought them there as they would normally be following fish.

** Barb Jennings reports that they often go to Centennial Park, but only recently are noticing DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS [Cormoran à aigrettes] gathering there. Barb also got a photo, taken from the Riverview Trail, of a flock of SHOREBIRDS following the Petitcodiac River.

** To review some of the berries noted along the road to Point Escuminac on Saturday. The fluorescent red berries of the MOUNTAIN-HOLLY [Faux houx] were very evident. This is is not an edible berry. Note the long thin petiole of the berry to help identify it. I usually see it in wet areas so am not sure why it got the name Mountain-Holly. The very delicious BLACK HUCKLEBERRY [Gueules noires] was coming into full fruit. It grows on a low bush, while the equally delicious DWARF HUCKLEBERY (Gaylussacia dumosa) which is also present there, grows at ground level, more deeply into the bog area. BLACK CHOKEBERRY [Aronia noir] was also in fruit; they look like Black Huckleberry at first glance, as both are black, and both grow on a low bush and will grow together. The leaves easily differentiate them; chokeberry leaves are toothed, while black huckleberry are not, and the leaves have a very different pattern on them, as shown in the pictures. Chokeberry is not toxic, but is mealy and not tasty. WILD-RAISIN [Alisier / Viorne lentago] fruit clusters were not yet starting to turn pink and blue as they ripen. BAKE-APPLE [Mûres blanches] foliage was abundant but the berries had ripened some time ago and dropped off.

Four caterpillar species were found at the point: several HENRY’S MARSH MOTH (Simiri henrici) caterpillars were noted on WATER DOCK [Rumex orbiculaire]. They are very colourful; the adult moth is very drab and I have not seen either moth or caterpillar before. Jim Edsall identified them. A SALT MARSH CATERPILLAR [Chenille des marais salés] was also found. This is a very variable species. Note the difference in colour from the one Anne Marsch submitted yesterday. Also attached is the PRIMROSE MOTH [Noctuelle rose de l'onagre] caterpillar. Note its striking camouflage as it feeds on pods of Evening-Primrose. FALL WEBWORM [Chenille à tente estivale] tents were numerous, as they are everywhere else. There was a lot more, but I’ll spare you!

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton