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3 Jul Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, June 27 - July 2, 2009 [David Christie ] 3 Jul Loon chick on Silver Lake, Sackville [Christopher Clunas ] 3 Jul Ringed Turtle Dove [Karen Gauvin ] 3 Jul Re: Chimney Swifts [Dwayne Sabine ] 3 Jul Re: Chimney Swifts ["Potter,Karen [Dartmouth]" ] 3 Jul NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Friday 3 July 2009 [Bill Winsor ] 3 Jul Re: Whales at the Hopewell Rocks [David Christie ] 3 Jul Re: Chimney Swifts [Vexus vexus ] 2 Jul Re: Gray Catbirds [Ralph Eldridge ] 2 Jul Birds at Hampton Today [Jim Wilson ] 2 Jul Re: unidentified moth/butterfly [Jim and Holly Edsall ] 2 Jul Re: unidentified moth/butterfly [Ronald Arsenault ] 2 Jul unidentified moth/butterfly [Linda ] 2 Jul Re: Gray Catbirds ["Peter D. Smith" ] 2 Jul Gray Catbirds [Margie Pacey ] 2 Jul Tree Swallows Project in Moncton [Brian Dalzell ] 2 Jul Whales at the Hopewell Rocks [Deborah Carr ] 2 Jul mockingbird, bluebirds, Atlas point count period ends tomorrow [Becky Whittam ] 2 Jul Bobolinks [Thomas Moffatt ] 2 Jul Chimney Swifts [Ken MacIntosh ] 2 Jul Nature Moncton's Information Line [Alma White ] 2 Jul Re: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 [Julie Singleton ] 1 Jul Brown Thrasher [Beverley Schneider ] 1 Jul Re: Bobolinks on Tantramar [Brian Dalzell ] 1 Jul Re: Bobolinks [Janet MacMillan ] 1 Jul Re: Bobolinks on Tantramar [Bill Winsor ] 1 Jul Bobolinks on Tantramar [Popma ] 1 Jul Second summer Lesser-Black-backed Gull in Moncton [Samuel Denault ] 1 Jul Nature Moncton's Information Line [Alma White ] 30 Jun Re: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 [Jim Wilson ] 30 Jun Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ["H.H. (Hank) Scarth" ] 30 Jun Wild Turkey, Upland Sandpiper [Beverley Schneider ] 30 Jun MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND [Ralph Eldridge ] 30 Jun Spring Peeper - Chicahominey Mountain- Bocabec NB [R&H Wilson ] 30 Jun Up and Running [Durlan & Sally ] 30 Jun Grand Manan & White Head birds. inc. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and alcids [Roger Burrows ] 30 Jun Bluebird encounter [connie colpitts ] 29 Jun Re: tropical butterfly in Fredericton? [Bill Mountan ] 29 Jun tropical butterfly in Fredericton? [Kevin Fraser ] 30 Jun No Subject [Ronald Arsenault ] 29 Jun Re: NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Monday 29 June 2009 [Ralph Eldridge ] 29 Jun First confirmed breeding Orchard Orioles in New-Brunswick [Samuel Denault ] 29 Jun Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 [Jim and Holly Edsall ] 29 Jun Osprey [ron m ] 29 Jun NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Monday 29 June 2009 [Bill Winsor ] 29 Jun Re: Hornet Moth ?? [David Christie ] 29 Jun Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 [David Christie ] 28 Jun No Subject [yolandeLeBlanc ] 28 Jun Sigthings [Merv Cormier ] 28 Jun NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 [David Christie ] 28 Jun Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Update [Brian Dalzell ] 27 Jun Shediac tern census [John Chardine ] 27 Jun Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, June 20-26, 2009 [David Christie ] 26 Jun Chickadee with white tail in Sackville [Christopher Clunas ] 26 Jun Tyran � longue queue (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher) � Escuminac [Samuel Denault ] 26 Jun Brown thrasher [Becky Json ] 26 Jun CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and other observations [Bill Winsor ] 26 Jun NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Friday 26 June 2009 [Bill Winsor ] 26 Jun Re: help with dragonfly id needed [Grant Milroy ] 25 Jun Clubtail dragonfly emergence in Fredericton on June 24, 2009 [Gilles Belliveau ] 25 Jun Re: help with dragonfly id needed [Gilles Belliveau ] 25 Jun Smooth Green Snake [Pat Mclaughlin ] 25 Jun help with dragonfly id needed [Grant Milroy ] 25 Jun Re: Tufted Titmice [Jim Wilson ] 25 Jun Tufted Titmice [Tracey Dean ] 25 Jun Nature Moncton's Information Line [Alma White ] 25 Jun Black-billed Cuckoo [Fundy Hiking and Natuare Tours ] 25 Jun Re: IDing by calls [Todd Watts ] 25 Jun Bird Rescue ["J. Day-Elgee" ] 24 Jun Hornet Moth ?? [Joanne savage ] 24 Jun purple finch [Hugh Parks ] 24 Jun Surf Scoters on Mactaquac Headpond [John and Jane ] 24 Jun Looking for a Cardinal [Dwayne Biggar ] 24 Jun Re: IDing by calls [Roger Burrows ] 24 Jun IDing by calls [Popma ] 24 Jun Nature Moncton's Information Line [Alma White ] Subject: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, June 27 - July 2, 2009 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 21:36:12 -0300 From Maine Birds here are parts of Eric Hyne's transcript of the Maine Audubon Bird Alert. The entire transcript can be accessed at , and . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert Reporting Period: June 27 - July 2, 2009 Area: State of Maine Compilers: Eric Hynes, Stella Walsh Of Special Note Top birds this week are: LEAST BITTERN, TRICOLORED HERON, COMMON MOORHEN, CASPIAN TERN, and WHITE-WINGED DOVE. Other noteworthy species included: BRANT, REDHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, SPRUCE GROUSE, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, GLAUCOUS GULL, COMMON MURRE, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, GRAY JAY, and BOREAL CHICKADEE. Gulf of Maine A COMMON MURRE egg was discovered by researchers on Matinicus Rock on June 26, the first known in Maine waters in over 100 years. [western areas omitted] Penobscot Bay Back on June 25, a WHITE-WINGED DOVE was photographed on Bridge Street in Belfast. Seen from the Maine State Ferry run to Matinicus Island on June 26 were over 300 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, a RAZORBILL, 28 BLACK GUILLEMOTS, 8 NORTHERN GANNETS, and two SOOTY SHEARWATERS. Two LEAST BITTERNS and a LEAST TERN were seen at the Sandy Point (Stower's Meadow) WMA in Stockton Springs on June 30. Central Maine Found on Carlton Pond in Troy on June 25 were an AMERICAN BITTERN, 15 adult BLACK TERNS with 2 chicks, and two WILSON'S SNIPE. MERLINS are again being seen around the Jefferson/Prentiss Street area of Bangor. Several COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were calling at the Bangor State Forest on July 1. Downeast A CASPIAN TERN was loafing on a ledge in Back Bay, Milbridge on June 25. Two SOOTY SHEARWATERS were seen between Cutler and Machias Seal Island on June 28. Three RAZORBILLS were spotted from the Bold Coast Trail in Cutler on June 28. SPRUCE GROUSE were seen at the Boot Cove Preserve and on Great Wass Island in Jonesport. Northern Maine A male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen in the boreal section above Nesowadnehunk Field Campground in Baxter State Park on June 26. Other birds seen in Baxter State Park this week included SPRUCE GROUSE, BOREAL CHICKADEES, GRAY JAYS, BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS, a singing FOX SPARROW, and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. Maine Public Reserve Lands at Scraggly Lake, just northeast of Baxter State Park, hosted a singing WOOD THRUSH, numerous BOREAL CHICKADEES and GRAY JAYS, as well as warblers including a CAPE MAY. A CAPE MAY WARBLER, BOREAL CHICKADEES, and GRAY JAYS were once again found along a moose trail off Rt. 16 just east of the Cupsuptic Campgrounds in Rangeley in June 27. Considerable efforts to relocate the previously reported BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS between utility poles 330 and 331 along Rt. 16 in Lincoln Plantation on June 27 were unsuccessful. Recent waterfowl highlights include appearances of one hen and three drake REDHEADS on the 28th and at least 5 displaying RUDDY DUCK males on the 19th at Lake Josephine in Easton. Two COMMON MOORHENS were found in a wetland near Lake Josephine in Easton. A pair of UPLAND SANDPIPERS was on the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone. Bill Sheehan's excellent summary can be found at www.northernmainebirds.blogspot.com. -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Loon chick on Silver Lake, Sackville From: Christopher Clunas <cclunas AT EASTLINK.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:43:54 -0300 I'm happy to report that the pair of loons on Silver Lake in Sackville have a chick. I observed the trio for some time today. The adults were feeding the chick all sorts of morsels, and occasionally giving the chick a ride. I'm not so happy to report that I also watched some canoeists paddle straight for the adult and chick, causing quite a panic and commotion. It's bad enough for the loons with all the power boats and jetskis on the lake! Christopher Clunas Sackville, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Ringed Turtle Dove From: Karen Gauvin <karen_gauvin AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 15:13:20 -0300 Ringed Turtle Dove was a visitor at my Millerton, NB home on June 20th. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Chimney Swifts From: Dwayne Sabine <dwayne.sabine AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:04:37 -0300 Hi Ken, We are still well within the breeding period for chimney swifts, so observations during this time represent possible breeding and should be recorded as "H". This would be especially true of observations of single birds or two, which are more likely to represent breeding individuals than do larger groups, which are more likely post-breeders (or non-breeders) at or near communal roosts. Most of the chimney swifts I observe in June and early July tend to be single or double birds in remote areas, particularly where older forest is nearby. I am starting to get the impression that breeding pairs might go easily missed on atlas point counts and on the BBS. They seem to me to be silent much of the time, and on several occasions now I have recorded them simply by happening to look up during a point count - usually I am instead listening intently and watching the trees or bushes. A couple of times when I have noticed these silent birds, I watched them for 15 minutes or so without hearing vocalizations. This is quite different from their behaviour where breeding densities are higher, such as where I used to live in Marysville - there they almost constantly chatter and chase one another while foraging, and are just about impossible to miss if present. In any case, I am trying to develop the habit of looking up more often while conducting auditory point counts. Dwayne Sabine Douglas, NB On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 11:58 AM, Ken MacIntosh wrote: > There have been a few reports of Chimney Swift activity lately, and I have > seen them in three locations as well in the past week. Can anyone comment on > whether these birds are likely to be post-breeding (i.e., should they be > entered as "H" or "X" for atlas purposes)? > Ken MacIntosh, Saint John > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Chimney Swifts From: "Potter,Karen [Dartmouth]" <Karen.Potter AT EC.GC.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:07:07 -0300 Hello Mary and all, The Canadian Wildlife Service in Quebec has been experimenting with Chimney Swift towers. They suggest that it is best to put the tower in an area where you see swifts flying during daytime and if possible within a 500 m of a creek, river or lake. You can also play loud swift calls to attract them to the site. My colleagues in Quebec noted that several people have tried to build towers in Quebec but only one was used by swifts in Quebec over a 7 year period. CWS in Quebec is working with engineers to develop a tower better adapted to our northern climate and plan to test the model this summer. For information on constructing towers for Chimney Swifts, see http://www.concentric.net/%7edwa/page55.html You may be aware that Lewnanny Richardson is working on a Chimney Swift project on the Acadian peninsula. He constructed a tower last summer and I believe is building more this year. Karen Potter A/ Species at Risk Recovery Biologist Environment Canada 16th Floor, Queen Square 45 Alderney Drive Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6 Direct Line (902) 426-2578 -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Vexus vexus Sent: July 3, 2009 6:44 AM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Re: Chimney Swifts I was wondering, if I were to put up fake chimneys on my shed or barn here in Lower Shinimicas, would this possibly bring Chimney Swifts? Or am I in the wrong habitat for them? And if I am in their habitat what would the criteria be of making these fake chimneys? Mary ________________________________ From: Ken MacIntosh To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:58:56 AM Subject: Chimney Swifts There have been a few reports of Chimney Swift activity lately, and I have seen them in three locations as well in the past week. Can anyone comment on whether these birds are likely to be post-breeding (i.e., should they be entered as "H" or "X" for atlas purposes)? Ken MacIntosh, Saint John NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer(r) 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Friday 3 July 2009 From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:34:49 -0700 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on the Nature Moncton, contact our president, Hank Scarth at 861-0992 or our past president, Rowena Hopkins at 533-1087 or visit our web site at . Friday morning 3 July 2009 *** For the second evening in a row an AMERICAN BITTERN [Butor d'Amérique] appeared at the Stilesville yard of Kevin Renton to forage on earthworms. It came by earlier on Thursday night at 7:45 PM. *** Bob Blake leaves some weather observations to compare temperatures and rainfall for June 2008 with June 2009. The temperatures are taken each morning a Bob’s Second North River home. The comparison is not as accurate as it usually is as Bob was away for a week in of June 2008. In June 2009 twelve mornings were recorded at 15 C and above and eighteen mornings below 15 C. The lowest day was +3 C. There was 131 mm of rain recorded and two days were recorded with a high of 32 C. For 2008, eight days were recorded at 15 C or above and fifteen days were below 15 C, with 106 mm of rain recorded and one day was recorded with a high of +33 C. These stats show June of 2009 had a significant amount more rain, which is surly extending into July the low morning temperature was lower in 2008 and the high temperature of the day was recorded higher in 2008, so more rain for June 2009 and slightly lower temperatures. *** As expected, Alain Clavette was able to get some great photos of his EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair, which webaster Bob Childs has placed some on the web site at take a look at the female and the male separately at the mealworm feeder, the female on the nest and a view of the eggs, under “Hot Shots.” Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton Please, consider the environment before printing this e-mail __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Whales at the Hopewell Rocks From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 08:22:18 -0300 At 12:11 PM -0300 7/2/09, Deborah Carr wrote: >I just received a link to a YouTube video taken last Saturday during a kayak >tour at the Hopewell Rocks. > >The two guides and three clients encountered a pod of what they later >identified as 12-15 pilot whales. Here is the link address to the video: >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua9qO4prZio > >One of the guides was out again the following two days, but no more signs of >the whales. Does anyone know when the last time whales may have been seen >this far up the bay? Debbie, That's exciting -- and the video demonstrates how difficult it can be to photograph fast-moving toothed whales; you often don't know where to point your camera to get the one that comes up next. If I'd known of these animals sooner, I would have hiked out to the end of Mary's Point in hopes of seeing them here. There have been reports of ATLANTIC PILOT WHALES [Globic�phale noir de l'Atlantique] moving up the Petitcodiac River following schools of fish. I have a vague memory of one having been found at Moncton within the past five years. A famous record occurred in the 1930s when perhaps 20 were stranded near Salisbury when the tide went out. HARBOUR PORPOISE [Marsouin commun] is the only regularly occurring cetacean in most of Chignecto Bay and likely reaches Moncton annually. ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN [Dauphin � flancs blancs] (Moncton, Oct. 2001) and even a BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN [Dauphin � gros nez] (Salisbury, Sep. 1950) have also travelled up the Petitcodiac River. Two recent baleen whales (a FIN WHALE [Rorqual commun] at Waterside in March 2006 and a MINKE WHALE [Petit Rorqual] at Shepody in June 2006) likely died farther down the Bay of Fundy and drifted into Chignecto Bay, but a SEI WHALE [Rorqual bor�al] stranded near Rockport was apparently alive when first seen in late June or early July 2008. David -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Chimney Swifts From: Vexus vexus <epitetj AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 02:43:34 -0700 I was wondering, if I were to put up fake chimneys on my shed or barn here in Lower Shinimicas, would this possibly bring Chimney Swifts? Or am I in the wrong habitat for them? And if I am in their habitat what would the criteria be of making these fake chimneys? Mary ________________________________ From: Ken MacIntosh To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:58:56 AM Subject: Chimney Swifts There have been a few reports of Chimney Swift activity lately, and I have seen them in three locations as well in the past week. Can anyone comment on whether these birds are likely to be post-breeding (i.e., should they be entered as "H" or "X" for atlas purposes)? Ken MacIntosh, Saint John NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer� 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Gray Catbirds From: Ralph Eldridge <R.ELDRIDGE AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:42:51 -0300 I find that Gray Catbirds have no problem with humans and behave very "robin like". Actually, several times I've watched them out-compete Robins for nesting territories close to human habitations. In my opinion there are only three significant differences between Robins and Catbirds when it comes to their interaction with human habitation. First: the Catbirds want some dense cover; similiar but denser cover than Robins. Areas of shrubbery such as the Japanese Knot(?) are ideal for Catbird nests and foraging. Without this you may have Robins but no Catbirds. Second: The Catbirds are much less inclined to feed on open lawns et cetera than are Robins. Third: In spite of all the Robin nests that are built on porches et cetera, I've found that the Catbirds are generally more tolerant and less disturbed by human presence and allow closer approach than Robins. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Birds at Hampton Today From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:29:19 -0300 This morning I spent a couple of hours in my atlas square 20KR74 that includes Hampton. It's been "completed" for a few years now and Region 12 Atlas Coordinator Richard Blacquiere has forbidden me to spend any more time in it. But - I happen to live in that square, so I'm not about to vacate it entirely J. (Actually, Richard, I was on my way to another square this morning but took time to check the Hampton sewage lagoons and water surrounding Spooner Island for duck broods of yet-unconfirmed species.) In the area just east of Spooner Island I found a molting male PINTAIL, a duck that I hadn't recorded in this square to date. We don't have many breeding in this area. And resting in the most southerly of the three sewage lagoons was a handsome male RUDDY DUCK, another new duck species for the square. Unfortunately, no sign of a female of either species. More than 30 TURKEY VULTURES were still perched at their nightly roost at the sewage lagoons. I counted at least 33 and there were likely more on the ground inside a fenced enclosure and behind the tall grass as well as in the numerous dead tree roosts obscured by adjacent foliage. The birds use this roost from spring until mid-late summer when they then seem to gravitate to the Midland area, about 20 kilometers west of Hampton. There was no sign of the HOUSE WREN that had been singing in Hampton back on June 14 when we were doing our annual spring Breeding Bird Survey. Finally, from a strategic look-off point known locally as the "scenic lookout" overlooking the Hampton Marsh and the north end of Darling's Island I was amazed to spot a WILLET flying in broad circles over the marsh and later moving south and calling over Darling's Lake. I've never seen one in the local area before and assume this bird was wandering and just moving through. Jim Wilson NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: unidentified moth/butterfly From: Jim and Holly Edsall <edsallj AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:09:38 -0300 Hi Linda, this is the Luna Moth one of our giant silk moths. It is moderately common but is usually only seen when attracted to lights...jim NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: unidentified moth/butterfly From: Ronald Arsenault <rongarsenault AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:07:54 -0300 Hello Linda, It is a Luna Moth, Actias luna. More information available here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/562 Et en fran�ais : le Papillon lune. Information disponible ici : http://www.lesinsectesduquebec.com/ Ron 2009/7/2 Linda > Hello, > > This moth/butterfly has been hanging around my house but I've been unable > to > identify it...can anyone provide some help. Thank you! > > > http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fd0VKIDSzLw/Sk1IhzZCsZI/AAAAAAAABYk/iwWvUq8BDU0/s512/HPIM2911.JPG > > > Cheers, > > Linda > > Nasonworth, NB > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > -- Ronald G. Arsenault Memramcook, N.B. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: unidentified moth/butterfly From: Linda <ltcaissie AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:04:57 -0300 Hello, This moth/butterfly has been hanging around my house but I've been unable to identify it...can anyone provide some help. Thank you! http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fd0VKIDSzLw/Sk1IhzZCsZI/AAAAAAAABYk/iwWvUq8BDU0/s512/HPIM2911.JPG Cheers, Linda Nasonworth, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Gray Catbirds From: "Peter D. Smith" <psmith AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:43:13 -0300 Catbirds (up to 2) have been around since early May -- starting around the 12th, I think. they disappeared, but are back again. ...here in West Saint John (BTW, Kaufman's book says they like stale potato chips, bits of apples...this is TRUE ! Also, when not feeding at or under feeders, they DO like to hang out in the apple trees. Peter At 17:35 02/07/2009, Margie Pacey wrote: >I've had a couple of GRAY CATBIRDS hanging around my deck and >feeders for the last few days. First time I've seen them this close >to human habitation. Is this usual? > >Margie Pacey >Scotchtown, Queen's County > > >__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >signature database 4210 (20090702) __________ > >The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > >http://www.eset.com > > >NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html >Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Gray Catbirds From: Margie Pacey <mpacey AT nb.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:35:32 -0300 I've had a couple of GRAY CATBIRDS hanging around my deck and feeders for the last few days. First time I've seen them this close to human habitation. Is this usual? Margie Pacey Scotchtown, Queen's County __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4210 (20090702) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Tree Swallows Project in Moncton From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:17:16 -0300 Yesterday, Janet MacMillan in Moncton said: "Here in the middle of the city we have a gentleman who has nest boxes and he hasn't had any Tree Swallows this year. Are others noticing a decrease in the swallows - Barn and Tree?" I can't address the Barn Swallow situation, but as for Tree Swallows, it has been a very good year in Moncton. I put up 18 boxes last year around Jones Lake and had 16 of them used. Encouraged by this, I put up an additional 28 boxes this spring with the assistance of Roger LeBlanc. Of the new total of 46 boxes, at least 24 have been used. About half have fledged young already, and the rest will likely do so before July 10th. This is a 50% upswing from 2008 to 2009, so I can only say that there has been a marked increase in Tree Swallows in the west end of Moncton this year. Future plans call for the addition of 30 more boxes this fall to bring the total to 76. Eventually (by 2012) I hope to have at least 150 boxes in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview producing at least 500 young annually. This year I figure at least 115 young from my boxes. Along with the adults, there should be at least 160 Tree Swallows on their way to Florida by the end of July. Using an average annual mortality figure of 50% there could be at least 40 nesting pairs next year. So, local empty nestbox owners hang in there, I'm working on the problem. Now if I could just attract some bluebirds... Brian Dalzell, Moncton (West), NB. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Whales at the Hopewell Rocks From: Deborah Carr <writer AT DEBORAHCARR.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:11:49 -0300 I just received a link to a YouTube video taken last Saturday during a kayak tour at the Hopewell Rocks. The two guides and three clients encountered a pod of what they later identified as 12-15 pilot whales. Here is the link address to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua9qO4prZio One of the guides was out again the following two days, but no more signs of the whales. Does anyone know when the last time whales may have been seen this far up the bay? NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: mockingbird, bluebirds, Atlas point count period ends tomorrow From: Becky Whittam <seanbeck AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:19:45 -0400 Hi everyone Tuesday while atlassing on the Johnston Point Road near Shemogue I came across a Northern Mockingbird on one of my point counts. Also with all the talk of Eastern Bluebirds I thought I'd mention that Sean and I have a pair nesting in one of our boxes on our property in Sackville. We have had Bluebirds prospecting boxes on our property now for several years running but this appears to be the first year they are actually nesting. We've been away so I'm not sure if the young have fledged but I'm hopeful. We have been living at our current home for 8 years now - so that's 8 years of no mowing around the pond or field next to the house. We are certainly noticing an increase in bird activity in the yard in the last few years. We even had baby American Widgeons in the pond this year. Hope everyone's enjoying summer. Tomorrow is the last day in this year's point count period for the Breeding Bird Atlas and I encourage all point counters to make the most of it!! Becky Whittam Sackville, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bobolinks From: Thomas Moffatt <asfweb AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:57:05 -0300 Bobolinks - years ago would see them in the unmowed fields of St. David Ridge, north of Oak Bay and NW of St. Stephen - then they disappeared. This year, for the first time in more than a decade, I have been seeing BOBOLINKS regularly in the fields on St. David Ridge. Could something have improved for them in Argentina? Tom Moffatt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Chimney Swifts From: Ken MacIntosh <coopers AT NB.AIBN.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:58:56 -0300 There have been a few reports of Chimney Swift activity lately, and I have seen them in three locations as well in the past week. Can anyone comment on whether these birds are likely to be post-breeding (i.e., should they be entered as "H" or "X" for atlas purposes)? Ken MacIntosh, Saint John NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Nature Moncton's Information Line From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:27:11 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton -- the Moncton Naturalists' Club, contact our president, Hank Scarth, at 861-0992, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Thursday morning, July 2^nd , 2009. **Kevin Renton experienced a surprise encounter on Wednesday evening when he stepped out into their Stylesville back yard at 8.30pm in the rain to note what at first he thought was a duck foraging in the yard to realize it was an AMERICAN BITTERN [Butor d'Am�rique] foraging for night-crawlers. It is a bonus to get the secret of an AMERICAN BITTERN in one's yard but I recall a similar incident in Riverview a few years ago when a bittern did this repeatedly. A great bird to add to the yard list. Dale Gaskin reports the EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] are doing well in the Dawson Settlement area as well. He does not have any on his own property he is aware off however he has spotted a bluebird carrying food just down the road from him near a machine shop with a large blue garage, also a pair just up the road from him around the home of Austin Steeves and a pair using a nest box at Farmer Brown's Nursery at Osbourne Corner. ** It is great to hear the recent MOTH reports as it seems to have people taking note of this under noticed community of insects. Dale comments that he came across an impressive collection of MOTHS early Wednesday morning at the Chocolate River Motel on Route 114. He noted CECROPIA MOTHS, POLYTHEMUS MOTHS, ROSY MAPLE MOTHS,and LUNA MOTHS in surprising numbers. He suggests that it is a great place to check out, especially early in the mornings before the birds arrive for the breakfast buffet. Dale comments they can be hard to see when they stay motionless against the brick wall and tend to hide in nearby vines. Dale ask for the features that distinguish a moth and a butterfly. The antennae of the butterfly are usually naked with club-like structures at the end while moth antennae tend to be feathery with no club like structure at the end. Most moths are nocturnal, but not all and moth flight is usually more erratic than that of the butterfly. ** Paul Langelaan in Second North River comments on hearing a male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD [Vacher � t�te brune] vocalize each morning from the yard utility pole this past few weeks. He had noted a pair that tended to be seen a lot around a particular bush behind his barn and as well a pair are regular at a neighbour's bird feeder yard. ** More BLUEBIRD nesting sites. Amanda Howe in Fairisle near Neguac reports that they have a family of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in their yard and not only that her brother who lives next door also has a pair of bluebirds nesting. Both of those nest boxes have young in them at the moment. It is nice to hear the recent reports of bluebirds in the Miramichi area and north of there. There is a local connection here, Amanda and her brother are the family members of Marguerite Winsor. ** Bob and Sharon Blake were on the Riverglade Road Wednesday evening to note a doe WHITE-TAILED DEER step out to the road edge. They stopped to then see two very small heavily spotted fauns come out. The trio started down the road a distance with mother deer keeping the eye on the interlopers then slowly moved back into the woods. ** Alain Clavette continues to monitor an experiment with his bluebird pair. He added a few pet store bought crickets to the buffet to find out the hard way one has to cool a cricket well in the fridge before putting them out otherwise that are quick to exercise their powerful hind legs. However the bluebirds did enjoy the new item, quickly subdued the crickets taking them into the nestlings. Alain has been doing some research on it and it is pointed out not to use the large earthworms or the superworm that is now available in pet stores as the young may not be able to digest these properly and the superworms could cause a bite to the young if not completely disabled. Alain also encountered an interesting incident with a recently fledged SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] near his yard pond. He unexpectedly flushed a fledgling SONG SPARROW from bushes at the edge of the pond. It flew a short distance to end up in the middle of the pond. Alain moved back and watched. The parents made a fuss onshore, the baby bird then proceeded to swim to them on to the shore and off with the parents, none the worse for its unexpected moment as a water-bird. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton / Moncton Naturalists' Club NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 From: Julie Singleton <bowerbk AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:33:05 -0300 As with Jim's accounts - friends of ours who used to live in Currieburg, NB, had Bluebirds nesting almost every year during the late 1990's and early 2000's. In some years the Bluebirds attempted second nestings which were sometimes successful, but not always. Unfortunately our friends haven't lived in Currieburg for about 5 years, so I'm not sure whether Bluebirds are still using the site or not. I assume if the boxes are still there, the birds may still be using them. Julie Singleton English Settlement Road - near Taymouth -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT listserv.unb.ca] On Behalf Of Jim Wilson Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 9:56 PM To: NATURENB AT listserv.unb.ca Subject: Re: [NATURENB] Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Way back in the early 1970's I had a bluebird trail of 18 nest boxes in Charlotte County, mostly in the area of several less-cultivated-than-today blueberry fields. I had several pairs of Bluebirds use the nest boxes successfully and in one case a pair fledged a brood in one of my boxes and almost immediately re-established housekeeping and reared another family. As I recall, nesting activity ran on into August on that occasion. I believe that I also had one pair appear for the first time well into the summer, which could have been bluebirds that were nesting for a second time, the first attempt having been somewhere else. Jim Wilson -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of H.H. (Hank) Scarth Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 9:21 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transc Alain continues to monitor the behaviour of his EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair closely and leaves some observations. Alain asks the query if second nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] pairs have been recorded in NB. It is well documented to the south of us. Alain notes that the male is now checking out other nest boxes and singing again which makes Alain wonder if another brood may be on the males mind. When Alain had an occupied nest box five years ago, the pair did not start nesting until July 7th, while the pair this year will be close to fledging young by that date. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Brown Thrasher From: Beverley Schneider <drbev AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:47:43 -0300 While Atlassing today we found a surprise: a BROWN THRASHER at Mactaquac Dam. Bev Schneider Buy only bird-friendly coffee. Shade-grown coffee protects our bird species. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bobolinks on Tantramar From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:20:24 -0300 I will echo Kathy's observations. I have seen many more Bobolinks this spring than at any time over the past decade. To me they seem to be especially common in coastal Colchester county, Nova Scotia where there are many Mennonite farms (I believe the hay is only cut there once a summer, in late July or early August). Also, I saw 40+ males all along the Petitcodiac River above the Moncton causeway two weeks ago (where I only found 5-6 last year), and in coastal Gloucester county along the Bay of Chaleur this weekend there seemed to be a pair in every field that was big enough for them. Something (good) is indeed going on. I think it could have something to do with unusually good winter survival of our Maritime cohort -- wherever they winter in South America. They concentrate in huge roosts in places such as Boliva and Argentina and are extremely vulnerable for that reason. Here is a link to an interesting study done on their wintering grounds recently: http://www.vinsweb.org/cbd/Bobolink.html -------------------- Popma wrote: > I had a pleasant surprise yesterday when I was on the Goose Lake Rd., off the High Marsh Rd. on the Tantramar Marsh. For the last few years BOBOLINKS have been few and far between, but I was able to count up to 50 individuals in loose colonies, 2 of which were females carrying food. Many of the males were interacting and were still singing and both males and females were generally aggitated with my presence, which I take for a sign nesting is in progress. > When I discussed this with Tony Erskine, he stated he had noted the same resurgence of the species in another part of the marsh behind the RCI towers last week. The recent wet weather has kept haying to a minimum so the birds may do well. > I wonder if others are noting the same change in Bobolink sightings? > > Kathy P > Sackville > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bobolinks From: Janet MacMillan <janetmac AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:16:42 -0300 Kathy Pompa, Sackville wrote: I wonder if others are noting the same change in Bobolink sightings? When I first started to monitor my Steeves Mt square for the Maritime Breeding Atlas there were Bobolinks in one spot - Lutes Road (off the Homestead Road). This year I have seen Bobolink in 5 different locations in this square - 20LS40. I have noticed an increase in the locations and numbers this year. On the other hand I have noticed a decrease in the swallows - Barn and Tree in my square. Here in the middle of the city we have a gentleman who has nest boxes and he hasn't had any Tree Swallows this year. Are others noticing a decrease in the swallows - Barn and Tree? Janet L. MacMillan, Moncton, N.B. "Let the eagles be your guide to go further than you can see" NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bobolinks on Tantramar From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:58:40 -0300 I have noted four locations in the Salisbury, Petitcodiac area with small numbers of BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] this year, just two or three males at each site. Bill Winsor Salisbury NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bobolinks on Tantramar From: Popma <popma AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:21:15 -0300 I had a pleasant surprise yesterday when I was on the Goose Lake Rd., off the High Marsh Rd. on the Tantramar Marsh. For the last few years BOBOLINKS have been few and far between, but I was able to count up to 50 individuals in loose colonies, 2 of which were females carrying food. Many of the males were interacting and were still singing and both males and females were generally aggitated with my presence, which I take for a sign nesting is in progress. When I discussed this with Tony Erskine, he stated he had noted the same resurgence of the species in another part of the marsh behind the RCI towers last week. The recent wet weather has kept haying to a minimum so the birds may do well. I wonder if others are noting the same change in Bobolink sightings? Kathy P Sackville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Second summer Lesser-Black-backed Gull in Moncton From: Samuel Denault <croupionmou AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 08:30:30 -0700 Hi, Today, July 1st, at 10h30, Kyle Wellband and I observed a second-summer Lesser-black-backed Gull in a group of roosting gulls behind Chateau Moncton on Petit-Codiac River, in Moncton. A few Nelson-Sharp-tailed Sparrows were also singing. Samuel Denault NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Nature Moncton's Information Line From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:41:46 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton -- the Moncton Naturalists' Club, contact our president, Hank Scarth, at 861-0992, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Wednesday morning, July 1, 2009. ** In response to the query on yesterday's line Denis Doucet reports he did have a second nesting of a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] in his Pellerin yard last year. The pair had arrived early and had started nesting by the end of April and fledged four young. This pair re-nested by the end of June to again produce at least four young. Denis had a second pair that arrived in late June last year that nested and for a time there were up to a dozen bluebirds about the area of different ages mingling. The nestlings from this year's pair are appearing at the nest-box hole now with the parents out of the box feeding them and he is noting the male singing again so suspects a second nesting may occur. There are two other unoccupied boxes available on site if they choose to use a different box. Denis is also noting 2 different vocalizing BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS [Coulicou � bec noir] in his area. One happens to be in the Saint-Antoine atlas square and the other in another square 600 metres to the NNW. **Lynn Taylor in the Black River Bridge area near Miramichi has a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS as tenants as well. She did have a pair nest 4 years ago but that start was unsuccessful. This one seems to be doing much better. ** Lee Eaton spotted a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS carrying food behind 159 Willshire Way in Moncton on Tuesday so an apparent successful nest is located there. With the high number of bluebird nestings being reported the real number out there must be very significant as I suspect the majority go unreported. ** Alain Clavette continues to monitor his yard pair of nesting bluebirds closely. He has now moved the meal worm feeding tray a number of times so he now has it 4 feet from his living room window for an excellent bird's eye view of the activity. He has seen the female fly to perch on a near-by unoccupied nest box, cock her tail wren style and flutter the wings appearing like this could be mating behaviour with a second brood in mind. He also notes the male comes to the meal worm feeder first with the female always following his visit. Alain restricts the meal worm feeding as the literature suggests that this should not be the sole food source. ** I had a large GRAY SQUIRREL appear at my feeders at my Little SW Miramichi feeders on Tuesday. It is the first time I have seen this species in this area. I don't know of any near-by OAK trees that would support this species on long term but this lad looked fat and healthy. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton / Moncton Naturalists' Club NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:55:37 -0300 Way back in the early 1970's I had a bluebird trail of 18 nest boxes in Charlotte County, mostly in the area of several less-cultivated-than-today blueberry fields. I had several pairs of Bluebirds use the nest boxes successfully and in one case a pair fledged a brood in one of my boxes and almost immediately re-established housekeeping and reared another family. As I recall, nesting activity ran on into August on that occasion. I believe that I also had one pair appear for the first time well into the summer, which could have been bluebirds that were nesting for a second time, the first attempt having been somewhere else. Jim Wilson -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of H.H. (Hank) Scarth Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 9:21 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transc Alain continues to monitor the behaviour of his EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair closely and leaves some observations. Alain asks the query if second nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] pairs have been recorded in NB. It is well documented to the south of us. Alain notes that the male is now checking out other nest boxes and singing again which makes Alain wonder if another brood may be on the male’s mind. When Alain had an occupied nest box five years ago, the pair did not start nesting until July 7th, while the pair this year will be close to fledging young by that date. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Nature Moncton Information Line - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 From: "H.H. (Hank) Scarth" <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:20:33 -0700 NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transc NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Hank Scarth Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397)   To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor.   For more information on the Nature Moncton, contact our president, Hank Scarth at 861-0992 or our past president, Rowena Hopkins at 533-1087 or visit our web site at  .   Tuesday morning, June 30, 2008    ** Denis Doucet reports that the three species of Pink Bog Orchids are presently in bloom at Kelly’s Bog at Kougibouguac National Park.  These are Dragon’s Mouth which is nearing the end of its blooming period, Grass Pink which is in prime bloom and Rose Begonia which is just starting in to bloom.  He did not note any of the white Bog Orchids in bloom at that site yet.  [Transcriber’s note:  poor ‘phone connections at my current location did not allow me to include Latin names and I may have misheard the English names].   Denis did accompany odonate field guide author, Ed Lamb, in Kougibouguac National Park on Monday.  The rain and cold, unfortunately, made for little odonate movement; however, they did spot a single SEDGE SPRITE on the Kelly’s Bog trail.   **There have been a few recent reports of CHIMNEY SWIFTS [Martinet ramoneur] being spotted around the Memramcook Institute which is a very interesting observation, for sure.  Alain Clavette points out that when he worked at the Institute for two years some years ago, it was common to see CHIMNEY SWIFTS [Martinet ramoneur] at that site at this time of year but never saw evidence of breeding.  Alain wonders if this would not be an excellent spot to construct one of the CHIMNEY SWIFTS [Martinet ramoneur] towers that are being started in the Paquetville area and have been successful in areas of the United States.  He wonders of the placement of one in the protected area behind the Institute’s buildings.   Alain continues to monitor the behaviour of his EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair closely and leaves some observations.  As mentioned earlier, the birds have become very accustomed to their mealworm buffets.  However, Alain spotted some interlopers – a pair of PURPLE FINCHES [Roselin pourpré] that has been coming in for some of the meal worms as well.  The EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] were not at all amused and got very irritated with the PURPLE FINCHES [Roselin pourpré].  There are five nestlings in the EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] box.  Alain asks the query if second nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] pairs have been recorded in NB.  It is well documented to the south of us.  Alain notes that the male is now checking out other nest boxes and singing again which makes Alain wonder if another brood may be on the male’s mind.  When Alain had an occupied nest box five years ago, the pair did not start nesting until July 7th, while the pair this year will be close to fledging young by that date.     Alain also notes that the TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] troop has become a force to be reckoned with when potential predators come near where they attack in force.  BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] are frequent targets of attack and the jays back off even to the point they are not able to use the feeders readily.  Feral cats and AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Amérique] get the same treatment.     Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   PPlease, consider the environment before printing this e-mail NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Wild Turkey, Upland Sandpiper From: Beverley Schneider <drbev AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:13:08 -0300 Reporting: on Thursday June 25, a WILD TURKEY was seen with chicks near Chipman, on the Fredericton side. on Thursday June 25, i heard an UPLAND SANDPIPER at Grand Falls. Bev Schneider Buy only bird-friendly coffee. Shade-grown coffee protects our bird species. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND From: Ralph Eldridge <R.ELDRIDGE AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:00:23 -0300 I got a chance to look around the the island a bit yesterday and completed the circuit today. No real surprises. Other than the expected seabirds and resident birds, I spotted one large flycatcher of uncertain species. Not wanting to chase it around, I had to settle for a few rather distant and backlighted views. Size and shape point to PEEWEE (possible), OLIVE-SIDED (likely) or GREAT-CRESTED (least probable). These fellows tend to hang around so perhaps I'll get better chances as the week progresses. I haven't checked about GUILLEMOTS nesting this year but the other 3 ALCIDS, PUFFIN, RAZORBILL & MURRE, are busy with young. A few of the very oldest, largest Puffins now exceed 200 grams and are begining to feather. The available food has been good with HERRING being brought ashore right from the start. Last year it was quite late in the season before Herring was plentiful. SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are begining to hatch and it looks as if there are at least 14 pair nesting this year. That's high-normal for recent years and midrange for the last 14 years. SAVANNAH SPARROWS are infesting the island as they fledge. Some are still tail-less, barely dry, screamers but many are now more or less independent. As I've mentioned before, the Savannahs are the only songbird species that nests here and most of the summer it's the only species on the island. It's actually quite unique to have an area where you can say with some certainty that every bird is the same species and compare the full spectrum of age and seasonal changes in appearance. It's especially useful when the species is so variable as the Savannah Sparrow. COMMON EIDERS are begining to hatch. As some of you know, they run close to a month later than most other areas. Yesterday I saw 4 ducklings that appeared to be about a week old but most of the nests still hold their eggs. There seems to be an unusual number of female Eiders just lounging about and I'm wondering why. Are these all non-breeding? Have they been unsuccessful nesting? I'm hoping that the excess of females is a positive thing and that it does not indicate a drop in Eider nesting success. The TERNS arrived, tried some nesting, laid a few eggs and abandoned again this year, as expected. A few Terns are seen overhead during the day, heard at night and a few will roost for the night here but this season is now in the books as a total breeding failure for the COMMON & ARCTIC TERNS. The LEACHES STORM PETRELS are doing ok as far as I know. There hasn't been a real "petrel night" since I've been back but last night was quite active. Their "chuckles" were especially evident between midnight and 3 AM. There are still some young seals around the island. I saw 2 young HARBOUR SEALS hauled out here yesterday and 1 each, HARBOUR & GRAY SEAL pups were sunning themselves together today. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Spring Peeper - Chicahominey Mountain- Bocabec NB From: R&H Wilson <ron.wilson AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:51:41 -0700 Maybe it is�a� common thing but�I was surprised to find an active�SPRING PEEPER at the top of Chicahominey Mountain (approx 180 m above sea�level) in Bocacbec NB today.� Chicahominey Mountain is part of the Caughey/Taylor Nature Preserve - Nature Trust of NB. It was a very nice hike today with fairly abundant bird life. Ron Wilson in St Andrews NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Up and Running From: Durlan & Sally <nateem AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:16:21 -0300 Tours are operating for the season once again. We have made 3 trips to Machias and have landed all 3 times. Puffins, razorbills, and murres are in great supply. All tern species are close to nil. On the trips down 3 species of shearwaters have been seen, one flavor of petrel (Wilson's), a couple of red-necked phalaropes and many fulmars. Supposed to make a trip tomorrow morning looking for whales. Durlan Ingersoll Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan & White Head birds. inc. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and alcids From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:39:58 -0300 June 29 White Head ferry 15:30=16:00 & 16:30-17:00 immature Common Loon, Great & 2 Double--crested Cormorants, 7 female Common Eiders + 15 ducklings, adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5+ Razorbills, 4+ Black Guillemots, 32+ Atlantic Puffins (all the alcids were very close to the ferry in foggy conditions) June 30 Ox Head & Brownville Road 07:00-07:45 2 Double-crested Cormorants, 9 American Black Ducks, Northern Flicker, Alder Flycatcher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 singing Winter Wrens, Swainson's & Hermit Thrushes, Cedar Waxwing pair, 4 wood-warblers, inc. singing Blackpoll warbler Grand Manan Bird Sanctuary 07:45-09:00 adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 5 + 3 juvenile American Black Ducks, 7 American Wigeons, Green-winged Teal pair, 4 male + 2 female Ring-necked Ducks, 15 + 3 juvenile Common Eiders, adult Bald Eagle, Killdeer pair giving distraction display, adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, male Northern Flicker, Swainson's Thrush with food, Cedar Waxwing pair, male Northern Parula with food Anchorage Road & Highway 776 09:00-10:15 Olive-sided Flycatcher, singing Winter Wren, 4 wood-warblers Roger Burrows Ingalls Head Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bluebird encounter From: connie colpitts <foxpac AT nbnet.nb.ca> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:51:10 -0300 Relatives on the Mollins Road are becoming quite annoyed with a pair of Bluebirds who have decided to use their picture window as a lunch room.They are very polite and patient as they sit on the of the deck awaiting their next meal, . At first they didn't know what was making the smudge marks on the window and Carol thinks it all started during a rainy-cool period but they have kept it up now for several weeks. Carol said she doesn't know why thy just couldn't pick off their victims without "spitting" all over the window. Connie Colpitts NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: tropical butterfly in Fredericton? From: Bill Mountan <bill.mountan AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:24:42 -0300 Hi, Could this possibly be an escape from the Green Village butterfly house? Maybe check with them to see if they had imported one of the larvae of the type you mention. Just n idea as it sounds interesting. Cheers, Bill On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 9:17 PM, Kevin Fraser wrote: > While out for a jog today, Emily McKinnon and I saw what seemed like a very > unusual butterfly at some some trail-side flowers. We stopped to watch it so > we could check our Eastern Butterflies Peterson when we got home. The only > species that fits our observations is unmistakable - Heliconius erato or > "Erato Heliconian", which is apparently a tropical species that only rarely > occurs in south Texas! The butterfly had elongated forewings, black with a > bright magenta slash across them. The hindwings were also black with a > thinner yellow slash running parallel with the wing length. It was fairly > large - approximately the size of an Eastern Comma, only a different shape. > > We will attempt to find it again tomorrow. We saw it on the Gibson Trail, > north of Fredericton's walking bridge, past the Devon Lumber yard on the > right hand side. > > There doesn't seem to be any other species that fit this description in our > guide - does anyone know if this species could be from a butterfly collector > in the area? > > Any other information on this would be great! > > Cheers, > > Kevin Fraser > > > > Kevin Fraser > PhD candidate, Dept. of Biology > P.O. Box 4400 > Rm. 25, Bailey Hall, 10 Bailey Dr. > University of New Brunswick > Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 > Canada > kevin.fraser AT unb.ca > http://www.unb.ca/cri/sinlab/ > FAX: (506) 453-3583 > > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: tropical butterfly in Fredericton? From: Kevin Fraser <kevin.fraser AT UNB.CA> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:17:09 -0300 While out for a jog today, Emily McKinnon and I saw what seemed like a very unusual butterfly at some some trail-side flowers. We stopped to watch it so we could check our Eastern Butterflies Peterson when we got home. The only species that fits our observations is unmistakable - Heliconius erato or "Erato Heliconian", which is apparently a tropical species that only rarely occurs in south Texas! The butterfly had elongated forewings, black with a bright magenta slash across them. The hindwings were also black with a thinner yellow slash running parallel with the wing length. It was fairly large - approximately the size of an Eastern Comma, only a different shape. We will attempt to find it again tomorrow. We saw it on the Gibson Trail, north of Fredericton's walking bridge, past the Devon Lumber yard on the right hand side. There doesn't seem to be any other species that fit this description in our guide - does anyone know if this species could be from a butterfly collector in the area? Any other information on this would be great! Cheers, Kevin Fraser Kevin Fraser PhD candidate, Dept. of Biology P.O. Box 4400 Rm. 25, Bailey Hall, 10 Bailey Dr. University of New Brunswick Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 Canada kevin.fraser AT unb.ca http://www.unb.ca/cri/sinlab/ FAX: (506) 453-3583 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: No Subject From: Ronald Arsenault <rongarsenault AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:43:40 +0400 Interesting Yolande, I saw four Chimney Swifts (Martinets rammoneurs) Saturday night heading towards the Institute, the first ones I have ever seen in Memramcook. I saw them very well, so no doubt about what they were. Ron 2009/6/29 yolandeLeBlanc > Last night around 8pm, sitting outside, I believe I saw 3 Chimney Swifts > flying about. I don't know of any colony here in Memramcook, but I'm pretty > sure that's what they were, only saw them for 10 seconds. They don't fly > like the Tree Swallows that came after, they flutter-fly. They have long > wings and don't fold them back like the swallows. I'll have to check around > the village for them, maybe at the church... > During the day, we also heard a Black-Billed Cuckoo several times, but it > didn't come to the call when I put on the CD. The song came from across the > road. We have heard it from that direction in the past years, and it has > come to the CD in the past. > We have a White Admiral and Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, among others, > flying about the gardens. > There are 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers in the woods here and calling all day. > They were very upset when I played the CD outside, they responded, fast and > furious. > > Yolande LeBlanc > 251 Central Street > Memramcook, NB > E4K 3P8 > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > -- Ronald G. Arsenault Memramcook, N.B. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Monday 29 June 2009 From: Ralph Eldridge <R.ELDRIDGE AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:23:47 -0300 I just want to confirm that GRAY CATBIRDS love jelly, marmalade and citrus fruit. Here on Machias Seal Island they are the most frequent diners during migration, eating much more than any other species, even ORIOLES. The most common species, in order of feeding frequency out here are: CATBIRD, BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLER, ORIOLE, YELLOW WARBLER & NORTHERN PARULA. In Saint George, Squirrels, Crows and Raccoons sometimes swipe a snack but it's the several local Catbirds that eat the most. As of Saturday, I had 2 Catbird fledglings coming as well as the 3 or 4 adult regulars. I half a large orange or grapefruit and impale the pieces onto long nails standing upright in low, open tree branches. As the fruit gets eaten I spoon in jelly or marmalade. When the fruit skin gets "tired", I just repeat the sequence. I also use small containers to hold jelly, both when the citrus available and by itself. I rarely see Warblers or Orioles at my St. George location and even then they are usually migrants. However, my observations lead me to believe that: (a) all of the species will accept fruit/jelly placed on the ground; (b) all of the species prefer the food close to the ground (approx. 1-3 meters); (c) the cheapest, Dollar Store brands of jelly work as well as the expensive; (d) the fruit pieces from marmalade are sometimes carried away, presumedly to feed young; (e) the birds easily accept jelly that has melted or disolved to sugar water by rain; (f) the sweet tends to attract some insects and I've seen birds catching them. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: First confirmed breeding Orchard Orioles in New-Brunswick From: Samuel Denault <croupionmou AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:29:26 -0700 Hi, On June 16, Kyle Wellband and I were lucky enough to find� a pair of Orchard Oriole and their nest in Hartland region.� We probably won't be able to return a their breeding site until the end of the summer. If somebody living nearby would be interested to keep track of it, send me a private e-mail and I will try to answer it before the end of the week (I don't have Internet connexion daily). The nest is only 6 feet high near an ATV trail so I'm not sure if it would be relevant to send the complete information on Nature NB and potentially send dozens of birders there. Thanks for your understanding. Samuel Denault NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 From: Jim and Holly Edsall <edsallj AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:21:22 -0300 David, In my list I have Summer Azure as Azur estival and Cherry Gall Azure as Azur d'aralie, I can't remember where I got these names but I'm pretty sure I didn't make them up..Jim NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Osprey From: ron m <ron_m321 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:29:43 -0700 I was out walking the dog last evening when we heard our resident Osprey calling.� I kept looking skyward but couldn't see anything except this bird about the size of a crow flying from tree top to tree top.� Finally I realized that it was a young Osprey trying out it's wings and the calling was coming from the adult back closer to the nest.� Now I don't know if the adult was calling encouragement or wanting it to get back home "now".� I think the young one�was having way to much fun to want to go home to bed.� � Ron McGuire Tower Hill, NB (outside St. Stephen, NB) __________________________________________________________________ Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Monday 29 June 2009 From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:01:10 -0700 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on the Nature Moncton, contact our president, Hank Scarth at 861-0992 or our past president, Rowena Hopkins at 533-1087 or visit our web site at . Monday morning 29 June 2009 *** Jim Edsall spotted and photographed a FIREWEED CLEARWING MOTH on Friday in the Canaan area on a side road off Route #126. It is the first time that Jim has seen this moth; it is clearly a wasp mimic in appearance. Jim recognized it by the flight, more characteristic of a moth than its wasp mimic appearance. *** Jean Renton comments on spotting a LUNA MOTH day resting on a wall at an ice cream stand in the Grand Lake area on Sunday. The luna moth is a strikingly large, has a beautiful green colour with long flowing tail. Jean thought it was a wall ornament at first; it was so eye-catching. The luna moth flight period is on at the moment, one of the giant SILKWORM species group. *** Lomar LeBlanc on Rue de Montagne in the St. Joseph area of Memramcook reports that he is an EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] host as well. It certainly been an incredible year for the eastern bluebird; I’m hearing new reports of activity at eastern bluebird nest box locations continually. It would seem like we’ve turned the corner for this species and what a sparkle to hear. *** John Langelaan and Pat Maxwell in Lower Coverdale are also hosting a bluebird pair; that pair are feeding young at the moment. It has been interesting to note the timing of arrival and of housing starts. Some seem to arrive and set up housekeeping very early, others making housing starts in late June. With a number now having young near fledging, it will be interesting to see if any second nesting starts commence, as this is not uncommon to the south of us. *** Bob Blake comment that they had a GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat] flycatching in their Second North River feeder yard for the past few days; it’s the first time they’ve noted this species in their yard since they moved to that location. As a point of interest on catbirds, a lady in Miramichi has a pair of catbirds that come on a regular basis to grape jelly and I recall that Ralph Eldridge mentioned that he had them come to the same. It could be well worth a try to those who have this species in their yard. Bob has also had a resident GRAY SQUIRREL [Ecureuil gris] arrive this year that decided to remove all the wooden perches from Bob’s bird feeders. Bob was not amused; so he put up a squirrel baffle; now the gray squirrel is not amused. *** Alain Clavette commented on noting some bird species preparing second nesting, I noted a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] carrying a very impressive sized bundles of surprisingly long grass blades to one part of the cedar hedge in our yard on Sunday. As I write I just spotted one going to the same spot with much shorter grass blades, looks like the inner layer are been arrange today. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Hornet Moth ?? From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:46:06 -0300 At 9:41 PM -0300 6/24/09, Joanne Savage wrote: >How common is Hornet Moth in New Brunswick ? >I've had a question from a relative in Mispec today regarding an insect that >sounds like that species . She described it to me and I did some research . I >came up with Hornet Moth and it is within the expected time to see one . >Please correct me if I am wrong .Description is as follows : >The insect resembles a Bumblebee , but larger ; with yellow/black across the >body , clear wings and long black antenae . It was seen enjoying her >Honeysuckle this afternoon and neighbors had the same insect visiting potted >plants today as well . I'm not familiar with the name Hornet Moth, but Joanne's friend's description indicates one of the clearwing hawk moths. They hover at flowers to feed, hummingbird style, and in coloration resemble large bees (or fuzzy hornets). An obviously yellow and black one, the Snowberry Clearwing [Sphinx du ch�vrefeuille] (Hemaris diffinis) is fairly common in New Brunswick, as is the duller Hummingbird Clearwing [Sphinx colibri] (H. thysbe). David -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:03:37 -0300 At 2:40 PM -0300 6/28/09, David Christie wrote: >NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE >Edited by : Nelson Poirier >Transcript by : David Christie > >Sunday morning, June 28, 2009 >** Denis Doucet reports noting a nice variety of butterfly action on >Saturday morning, which included... and either CHERRY-GALL AZURE or >SUMMER AZURE. I've not been able to find French names of these recently recognized species of azures, but the scientific names are: CHERRY-GALL AZURE Celastrina serotina SUMMER AZURE C. neglecta >** I joined a group from the Miramichi Naturalists' Club on Saturday >for a field trip to a cedar swamp in the Red Bank area, with orchids >on the agenda. The leader, Nelson Cloud, guided us to some good >finds... French names for the plants and insects mentioned in that report are: SHOWY LADYSLIPPER Cyprip�de royale YELLOW LADYSLIPPER Cyprip�de jaune BOG-CANDLE Hab�naire dilat�e or Platanth�re dilat� BROAD-LIPPED TWAYBLADE List�re faux-muguet one of the CORALROOT ORCHIDS une esp�ce de corallorhize ALDER-LEAVED BUCKTHORN Nerprun � feuilles d'aulne SCORPIONFLY m�copt�re DEER FLIES taon -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: No Subject From: yolandeLeBlanc <yolandeleb AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:02:59 -0300 Last night around 8pm, sitting outside, I believe I saw 3 Chimney Swifts flying about. I don't know of any colony here in Memramcook, but I'm pretty sure that's what they were, only saw them for 10 seconds. They don't fly like the Tree Swallows that came after, they flutter-fly. They have long wings and don't fold them back like the swallows. I'll have to check around the village for them, maybe at the church... During the day, we also heard a Black-Billed Cuckoo several times, but it didn't come to the call when I put on the CD. The song came from across the road. We have heard it from that direction in the past years, and it has come to the CD in the past. We have a White Admiral and Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, among others, flying about the gardens. There are 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers in the woods here and calling all day. They were very upset when I played the CD outside, they responded, fast and furious. Yolande LeBlanc 251 Central Street Memramcook, NB E4K 3P8 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Sigthings From: Merv Cormier <mervcormier AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:50:57 -0300 From Merv in Saint John: This morning I saw at least two pairs of CEDAR WAXWINGS carrying nest building materials at 2 different spots on Burchill road, also I have noticed an above normal number of OVENBIRDS in my square 19GL10 in Coleson Cove area this year. _________________________________________________________________ Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live� Messenger. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9656621 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE - 28 June 2009 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:40:25 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : David Christie Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton -- the Moncton Naturalists' Club, contact our president, Hank Scarth, at 861-0992, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Sunday morning, June 28, 2009 ** Sorry there for the missed update on Saturday due to the editor's schedule. Today's message is a bit of a long one, with lots of good things to report. ** Alain Clavette has opened his active EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] nest box a few times now to check the number of eggs but was unable to do so because the female did the same as many TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore]; each time he checked, she remained on the nest and did not move. He has started to move the tray of mealworms nearer his house so that he will be able to watch the whole family closer when they fledge and start using the mealworms as well. The adults have not noticed the gradual change and are still very responsive to Alain's whistle at feeding time. Alain mentions that his niger seed feeder is going down very slowly now, athough there are AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES [Chardonneret jaune] and PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] about. All the other feeders go down very fast. He wonders why the finches seem to back off the niger seed during summer. Alain also says that there is a sharp decline of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri � gorge rubis] activity the past ten days. He assumes it's due to the females being on the nest more at this time and more wild flowers available. [Transcriber's note: At Mary's Point, the usual decline in hummingbird use of feeders just began on Thursday or Friday. Till then I had been refilling the feeders every second day.] On Friday, while doing a bird survey in Riverview Alain noted four BALD EAGLES [Pygargue � t�te blanche] which appeared to him to have recently fledged. One, especially seemed to fly very awkwardly. This was noted near the Riverview tourist information bureau. ** Denis Doucet reports noting a nice variety of butterfly action on Saturday morning, which included WHITE ADMIRAL [Admiral], VICEROY [Vice-roi], INORNATE RINGLET [Satyre fauve], HARRIS'S CHECKERSPOT [Damier de Harris], NORTHERN CRESCENT [Croissant perl�] , and either CHERRY-GALL AZURE or SUMMER AZURE. Denis points out that he finds these two azures difficult to distinguish from one another, which should be comforting to some of the rest of us who ponder over these two. He also noted SPRING AZURES [Azur printanier] still on the wing, but in worn condition. Denis netted a LITTLE WOOD SATYR [Petit satyre des bois] by Kellys Beach at Kouchibouguac National Park on Friday. This has become a very common New Brunswick resident in recent years but was the first record for the park, bringing the butterfly list there to 47. Denis says that Carlie Sallows (spelling?) has put a lot of work into an updated bird checklist for Kouchibouguac National Park, which is now available at the information centre. The voyageur canoe trip spotted approximately 200 GRAY SEAL [Phoque gris] on the South Kouchibouguac Dune on Thursday and closer to 400 on Friday on the dune and in the water. They saw one BLACK TERN [Guifette noire] among the terns. The tern nest count may be a bit lower this year, but final counts are not yet complete. They saw a female NORTHERN HARRIER [Busard Saint-Martin] go into the colony and be immediately attacked by several very perturbed terns, making for a lively showdown. Denis also points out that Ed Lam will be in New Brunswick next week. He has written an excellent book on damselflies that many of us use and is now working on a new odonate guide and will be in the province looking for some particular species and gathering other information for that guide. ** A nice bird spotting and photos were reported on NatureNB by Samuel Denault, of a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER [Tyran � longue queue] he had spotted Friday about 300 m before the end of the road to Pt. Escuminac. ** Dave Christie mentions seeing two TURKEY VULTURES [Urubu � t�te rouge] circling over the Shepody Marsh [where they are normal], between Harvey and Hopewell Hill, on Friday and later seeing one flying across Pine Glen Road, just south of the Riverview town limits. Dave heard a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO [Coulicou � bec noir] calling at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, just across the road from the Mary's Point interpretive centre. As previously mentioned, there is a significant number of Black-billed Cuckoos being reported this season. ** An interesting report from NatureNS: The Amherst Point Bird Sanctuary is a nearby area that most of us don't spend much time visiting, which is unfortunate. The field trip that Catherine Johnson arranged on May 23 was a good start, with good reason to follow up on it. Clarence Stevens, Jr. and Sr., and Fulton Lavender spent time there around June 20 and heard two LEAST BITTERN [Petit Blongios] calling from the back corner of the sanctuary. They also mentioned the BLACK TERNS [Guifette noire] present there as well as singing MARSH WREN [Troglodyte des marais], SORA [Marouette de Caroline] and VIRGINIA RAIL [R�le de Virginie]. ** I joined a group from the Miramichi Naturalists' Club on Saturday for a field trip to a cedar swamp in the Red Bank area, with orchids on the agenda. The leader, Nelson Cloud, guided us to some good finds. The big prize was SHOWY LADTSLIPPER in the very peak of bloom, approximately 100 plants, a good number of YELLOW LADYSLIPPERS, some of which were in good bloom but most past their best. Also spotted were BOG CANDLES, BROAD-LIPPED TWAYBLADE (most of which had proceeded to seed-capsule stage), one of the CORALROOT ORCHIDS and lots of other plants associated with bog habitat. ALDER-LEAVED BUCKTHORN was a bonus for many of us, thanks to the sharp eyes of Dave MacLeod. An interesting caterpillar was noted feeding on the Showy Ladyslipper foliage; more expert review will be needed to put a handle on it. There was also an insect that was very lively within one of the slipper blossoms; we will get more opinions but it looked like a SCORPIONFLY to me. The cedar bog is not easy to access which may bode well for the uncommon Showy Ladyslipper which seems quite content there. The DEER FLIES enjoyed having us visit, but the orchids were an excellent distraction from their relentless attack attempts. ** This Week's "Sky at a glance" Saturday, June 27, was the latest sunset of the year. The MOON [Lune] will go into its first quarter phase on Monday, June 29, rising at noon and setting at midnight. This week's Planet Round-up: MERCURY [Mercure], magnitude 0, is having a poor apparition deep in the glow of dawn. Early in the week, look for it about 28 degrees to the lower left of Venus and Mars. Binoculars will help. VENUS [V�nus] and MARS, at magnitudes -4.4 and +1.1, respectively, remain together, due East during dawn. Venus is a dazzler; Mars is 130 times fainter. Mars is only 2.6 degrees above Venus on the morning of June 26 and widens to 5 degrees above Venus by July 4. JUPITER, at magnitude -2.6, rises around midnight and shines brightly in the south at dawn. The sharpest telecopic glimpses may come during morning twilight when the atmosphere sometimes becomes very stable.. SATURN [Saturne], at magnitude +1.0, is still sitting fairly high in the west at dusk; then it sinks lower as evening advances. With a scope, SATURN'S rings are narrow, appearing only 3 degrees from edge on. They have dimmed somewhat over the past few weeks. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton / Moncton Naturalists' Club -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Update From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:27:10 -0300 I spent two hours yesterday afternoon searching for said flycatcher at Point Escuminac, from 4-6 pm, without success. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Shediac tern census From: John Chardine <chardine AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:57:00 -0300 On 24 June 2009, Julie Paquet, Andrew MacFarlane and I conducted a total count of nests with eggs on the barge at the Shediac Bay Marina. The week before I had counted the sub-colony on the breakwater across the inlet from the barge. The results were quite surprising. Currently we have approximately 500 pairs of Common Terns nesting near the marina, with about 50 on the breakwater and 450 on the barge. This is up substantially from the 2005 count of 122 nests with eggs. John ----------------------------------- John Chardine Sackville, New Brunswick Canada www.pbase.com/chardinej ----------------------------------- NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, June 20-26, 2009 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:58:07 -0300 From Maine Birds here are parts of Eric Hyne's transcript of the Maine Audubon Bird Alert. The entire transcript can be accessed at , and . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert Reporting Period: June 20-26, 2009 Area: State of Maine Compiler: Eric Hynes Of Special Note The EARED GREBE [contnuing at Sanford Sewerage District] retains top honors this week. Other standouts include LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, COMMON MOORHEN, PARASITIC JAEGER, and BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER. The rest of the species mentioned in this week's report: RUDDY DUCK, NORTHERN FULMAR, GREATER SHEARWATER, SOOTY SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, PEREGRINE FALCON, RED KNOT, GLAUCOUS GULL, ROSEATE TERN, ARCTIC TERN, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, GRAY JAY, BOREAL CHICKADEE, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, ORCHARD ORIOLE, and EVENING GROSBEAK. Gulf of Maine Likely a result of the persistent weather pattern, 162 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, 110 GREATER SHEARWATERS, 32 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 21 NORTHERN FULMARS, and two LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS were spotted during a whale watch out of Portland on June 25. Downeast A number of WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS could be seen from land in Frenchman Bay on June 25. Central Maine A COMMON MOORHEN was seen in the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor on June 22. Northern Maine A birding trip last weekend around the Portage Lake area produced GRAY JAYS, BOREAL CHICKADEES, BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS, MOURNING WARBLERS, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, FOX SPARROWS, and EVENING GROSBEAKS. -- David Christie Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., New Brunswick, Canada http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Chickadee with white tail in Sackville From: Christopher Clunas <cclunas AT EASTLINK.CA> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:20:35 -0300 A Black-capped Chickadee with a white tail has been hanging around my neighbourhood in Sackville. Apparently it's not all that uncommon a feature, but it's a first for me. Christopher Clunas Sackville, NB http://sackvillebirder.blogspot.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Tyran � longue queue (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher) � Escuminac From: Samuel Denault <croupionmou AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:48:56 -0700 Bonjour, Aujourd'hui (26 juin vers midi), Kyle Wellband et moi-m�me avons observ� un Tyran � longue queue dans une tourbi�re sur le chemin qui m�ne au phare d'Escuminac, environ 300 m�tres avant le phare. Around noon, Kyle Wellband and I� saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Escuminac approximately 300 meters, on the road, before getting to the lighthouse in a boggy habitat. Here's two pictures: http://www.pbase.com/image/114303205 and next Samuel Denault Of course, you can forward this information on Nature N.B. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Brown thrasher From: Becky Json <rbkinsj AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:11:49 -0300 Today, at Sea Street (West Side, Saint John, NB) I saw a Brown Thrasher. Well ... I didn't know then it was a Brown Thrasher. Got a little help from a fellow bird person, John Hanson, online. Wouldn't have noticed the bird either, but he sang so beautifully so I had to go and try and get a shot of him. Here's a link to the photo: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3663774160_1e5bf678c4.jpg Becky in Saint John NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and other observations From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:59:59 -0700 Marguerite and I headed to Salmon Beach early this morning to look for the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW [Bruant des plaines] reported by Stu Tingley with that the hope that it had lingered. Shortly after we arrived we heard it vocalizing and then spotted it in a young conifer in the same grown lot where Stu had reported it. It went down before we could both have scope observations; so we waited around. It reappeared and began to vocalize again after about half an hour and it was still singing when we left the area. We had a good observation of a single RAZORBILL [Petit Pingouin] swimming with some BLACK GUILLEMOTS [Guillemot � miroir] in the water just east of Pokeshaw Island. There was a CASPIAN TERN [Sterne caspienne] in the harbor behind the dune and an immature BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argent�] on the beach at Maisonette. It must be that short interval between the northward and then southward migrations for this excellent shorebird observation site. Bill Winsor from Fairisle, NB __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON INFO LINE – Friday 26 June 2009 From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:39:01 -0700 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on the Nature Moncton, contact our president, Hank Scarth at 861-0992 or our past president, Rowena Hopkins at 533-1087 or visit our web site at . Friday morning 12 June 2009 *** The Buctouche Dune – Irving Nature Park is seeking volunteers to help with the PIPING PLOVERS [Pluvier siffleur] Monitoring Program during July and August. This could involve a day or more depending what volunteers are able to offer. Michelle Maillet at telephone number 743-2600 is the Coordinator there and would very much like to hear from anyone who could give some volunteer time to the PIPING PLOVERS [Pluvier siffleur] Monitoring Program. They also do a beach sweep as part of their activities. *** Clifford Twist reports spotting a PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] take a prey item that he was not able to identify at the corner of St. George Street and Vaughn Harvey Boulevard in Moncton on Thursday. It then very quickly proceeded up along Vaughn Harvey Boulevard. . *** Alain Clavette reports that he has 17 to 20 active SWALLOW [Hirondelle] nest boxes at the moment. He is not certain of the exact number of active ones, as some birds are still making mock nests in a few houses. It would appear that two houses have already fledged as he is seeing the young birds around the yard. He opened one box to check it and was surprised that the female stayed right in place on top of the brood. She did not seem to be at all stressed and stayed put after the box was closed. The EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair are getting very accustom to Alain’s whistled alert that mealworms are on the way. The female AMERICAN WIGEON’S [Canard d'Amérique] brood is now down to seven ducklings; Alain suspects that two have been predated. Alain comments on TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] behavior that he has never seen before. He maintains a closely mowed just alongside some tall grass for sparrows to feed on a scratch mixture that he puts out. He was surprised to see TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] landing in the grain areas and he put a scope on them to see what they were doing and was surprised to see them taking bits of the ground feed seemingly picking up cracked corn pieces. He has never seen TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] do that before. *** A belated report on the Atlas Square Bash held at mechanic Lake last Saturday. First, a big thank-you to Catherine Johnson for hosting the event and to all of the other participants. Despite the threatening rain there were a total of six in attendance. The rain held off until late afternoon and was not a hindrance. Breeding evidence was obtained for 49 species during the course of the day. Of note, were significant numbers of PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins]. Unfortunately a particularly tame individual appeared to be sick. Other interesting finds were a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant à gorge blanche] nest and four eggs of a rufous colour morph RUFFED GROUSE [Gélinotte huppée]. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: help with dragonfly id needed From: Grant Milroy <grant AT GJMILROY.ORG> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:06:15 -0300 Thank you Gilles - my what a blessing to receive help so fast on iding these dragonflies. I was thinking that an Extra Striped Snaketail might have been a possibility but the map does not show it for NB. Even with "Dragonflies Through Binoculars" I still find it difficult iding some of these species. My other photos would not be superior to this shot. I tried to leave the photo big eough to give some idea of size. Many thanx Grant Milroy Coldstream, NB www.gjmilroy.org/nature.htm NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Clubtail dragonfly emergence in Fredericton on June 24, 2009 From: Gilles Belliveau <gilles.belliveau AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:33:48 -0300 I went to Carleton Park (Fredericton's north side along the river) yesterday to eat my lunch. When I arrived in the parking lot, I started seeing a number of dragonflies flying around and suspected that an emergence was taking place. I parked along the edge of the tall grass near the river and could see several teneral (newly emerged) dragonflies perched in the tall grass. The ones I saw perched in the grass were all COBRA CLUTAILS (Gomphus vastus) but there were at least a few flying around and that flushed from the grass that were not this species but I wasn't able to catch any of those for identification. I returned after work and there was very little activity; however, as I was walking along the edge of the water, I spotted a lone dragonfly with a bright green thorax struggling to get the tip of it's abdomen out of it's larval shell which it managed to do a few seconds later. It immediately crawled for the nearest stem and started to climb it so I put my finger in front of it and it climbed right onto my finger (that was way too easy). This allowed me to examine it more closely without touching it's wings and body which were still very fragile at this stage. It turned out to be a female BOREAL SNAKETAIL (Ophiogomphus colubrinus), a lifer for me. I checked again today but there was virtually no dragonfly activity, just a couple of odes patrolling the area but I did collect several exuvia (larval shell) along the shore. Gilles Belliveau Noonan (Fredericton area) Dragonflies and Damselflies of NB http://www.odonatanb.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: help with dragonfly id needed From: Gilles Belliveau <gilles.belliveau AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:06:22 -0300 On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 4:29 PM, Grant Milroy wrote: > I have begun to photograph dragonflies and would appreciate a little big > brotherly assistance. Can you visit my webpage and check out the 2nd photo > impression. > > I think that I have > > FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER > RED-WAISTED WHITEFACE > CHALK-FRONTED CORPORAL > and a species I could not id - help please would be appreciated. > > Hi Grant, The 3 species you listed appear to be correct. The unidentified one is a male clubtail and appears to be a male BEAVERPOND CLUBTAIL (Gomphus borealis). The overall pattern including the small (almost non-existent) club, lack of markings on the top of segments 9 & 10 of the abdomen (2 last segments at the end of the abdomen), the tiny spot at the base of segment 8 and the broad stripes on the front/top of the thorax are all consistent with this species and I think the last two features would rule out Harpoon Clubtail (Gomphus descriptus). I think the shape of the terminal appendages could probably be made out if you had a higher resolution photo (if you do, you can email it to me if you wish) but from what I can see, it looks like this species. Gilles Belliveau Noonan (Fredericton area) Dragonflies and Damselflies of NB http://www.odonatanb.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Smooth Green Snake From: Pat Mclaughlin <patjill AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:43:57 -0300 I saw a SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE today by Knight's Brook on Brunswick Mines Property. This was a first for me. Pat McLaughlin Bathurst NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: help with dragonfly id needed From: Grant Milroy <grant AT GJMILROY.ORG> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:29:53 -0300 Good Afternoon I must say that summer heat and humidity has struck with vengeance, I have never experienced so many mean deer flies as this morning. Still it was a very satisfying time out. Everything on the bird front was to be expected. I suppose the species I have not been able to find as well :) The male SORA is still vocalizing at the beaver pond in Ashland east of Hartland. A family of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS fledged on Monday in Wilmot between Hartland and Woodstock. I have begun to photograph dragonflies and would appreciate a little big brotherly assistance. Can you visit my webpage and check out the 2nd photo impression. I think that I have FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER RED-WAISTED WHITEFACE CHALK-FRONTED CORPORAL and a species I could not id - help please would be appreciated. I found, for my first time, the BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT. Also a very ragged MOURNING CLOAK - amazing that he or she was still valiantly nectaring in spite of attacks from the checkerspot and other insects Thanks for any help I receive. Grant Milroy Coldstream, NB www.gjmilroy.org/nature.htm NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Tufted Titmice From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:59:52 -0300 Hi Tracey, Wonderful news! I assume the banded individual is the bird that you banded last fall as an immature? I assume the "huge yellow" means a lot of yellow around the beak? The two titmice that Merv Cormier and I saw on March 10th on Elizabeth Street (halfway between Carleton and Parr) were both un-banded as far as we could tell, so I wonder if there could possibly be two pairs in the town. I assume the band is quite visible? I wonder if we could have missed it, but we both checked carefully at the time. Thanks so much, Jim -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT listserv.unb.ca] On Behalf Of Tracey Dean Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 1:09 PM To: NATURENB AT listserv.unb.ca Subject: Tufted Titmice All spring the MacDonald's have been keeping track of the two Tufted Titmice (one banded, one unbanded) coming to their feeder in St. Andrews. Tuesday, Ceal, Vince and I watched the adults feeding a very fluffy young titmouse. The young bird had a huge yellow, a half grown tail and fluffy juvenile plumage. It my banding world it would be called a "local" still totally dependent on the adults. It must just be able to fly but was in no hurry to move. There may be more to come of the nest, we will keep our eyes open. Vince has the baby pictures not sure how we can share them. Tracey Tracey Dean Director of Education The Huntsman Marine Science Centre 1 Lower Campus Road, St. Andrews, NB E5B 2L7 T: 506.529.1220 F: 506.529-1212 E. tdean AT huntsmanmarine.ca W: www.huntsmanmarine.ca P Please consider the environment before printing this email. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Tufted Titmice From: Tracey Dean <TDean AT HUNTSMANMARINE.CA> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:09:17 -0300 All spring the MacDonald's have been keeping track of the two Tufted Titmice (one banded, one unbanded) coming to their feeder in St. Andrews. Tuesday, Ceal, Vince and I watched the adults feeding a very fluffy young titmouse. The young bird had a huge yellow, a half grown tail and fluffy juvenile plumage. It my banding world it would be called a "local" still totally dependent on the adults. It must just be able to fly but was in no hurry to move. There may be more to come of the nest, we will keep our eyes open. Vince has the baby pictures not sure how we can share them. Tracey Tracey Dean Director of Education The Huntsman Marine Science Centre 1 Lower Campus Road, St. Andrews, NB E5B 2L7 T: 506.529.1220 F: 506.529-1212 E. tdean AT huntsmanmarine.ca W: www.huntsmanmarine.ca P Please consider the environment before printing this email. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Nature Moncton's Information Line From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:18 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton -- the Moncton Naturalists' Club, contact our president, Hank Scarth, at 861-0992, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Thursday morning, June 25^th , 2009. **Doreen Rossiter who has been observing nature closely for a long time now witnessed something that she had never seen before. There was a yogurt cup with a seedling in it on her deck. With all the rain the little pot was turned into wet mud. She suddenly realized the female RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri � gorge rubis] was coming to pick up bits of the mud in her beak and carry it off. The bird repeated this several times barely three feet away from Doreen. Doreen also comments on a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE [M�sange � t�te noire] pair nesting in a yard nest-box. They are now very busily and steadily repeating the same scenario from morning till night. One adult will land on the branch of a nearby tree, male a soft "chickadee dee dee" vocalization and then go into the box. The other adult will arrive on the same branch with food and make a similar call which has the two exchange places. They repeat this same scenario steadily from dawn till dusk. She sees them taking insects then sees one take a black-oiled sunflower seed from the feeder, shell it then take it into the nest box. Her TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] are also busy feeding young however Doreen has not seen young at the nest-hole as yet. To add to those TREE SWALLOW comments it would appear one of my own TREE SWALLOW boxes fledged its young this morning as the young ones were very noisy this past few days and popping up to the hole. This morning, all was quiet. ** Dave Christie and Mary Majka watched a scenario take place at the Crooked Creek BALD EAGLE [Pygargue � t�te blanche] nest on Wednesday. When they dropped by they saw one eaglet sitting up quite erect in the nest with what appeared to be a second one with its back to them. The two eaglets suddenly disappeared, too low in the bowl of the nest and Mary and Dave heard some high-pitched sounds from an adult in a spruce tree just down river from the nest. There was an AMERICAN CROW [Corneille d'Am�rique] that was relentlessly harassing the adult and each time the CROW dive-bombed the adult would make a squeaking cry and open its mouth. The CROW eventually tired of this obviously exhaustive harassment and moved to a nearby perch. Then the adult BALD EAGLE then lifted to go after the CROW and successfully drove it off. As they drove back through Riverside-Albert they spotted a COMMON GRACKLE [Quiscale bronz�] quite relentlessly harassing a CROW then as they drove near the bridge on Route 915 near the old Bank of NB where CLIFF SWALLOWS [Hirondelle � front blanc] are nesting a band of the SWALLOWS got agitated as an OSPREY [Balbuzard p�cheur] flew by however, not with the determination of the CROW and the CRACKLE at their mission. I guess the old expression "What goes around comes around" was at play. ** Alain Clavette reports a surprising scenario he has seen unfolding in his yard pond. There is one male AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Am�rique] that seems to be attending 2 females. That sometimes appears that all are OK with the polygamous relationship and other times, well, it would seem not quite the case. One female came out on Wednesday with 9 ducklings in tow. The male seemed then to show aggression to the young in the presence of the other female. Alain interceded with a bit of arm waving, the male and female flew off together and the female with the 9 ducklings then came out and nonchalantly went about their business in the pond edges. Alain assumes the male was trying to tend to 2 females but a bit of rivalry seems to be unfolding. Alain wonders if 2 clutches will result from the sometimes rocky relationship. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton Moncton Naturalists' Club NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Black-billed Cuckoo From: Fundy Hiking and Natuare Tours <fundyhiking AT NB.AIBN.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:13:36 -0300 I noticed the increased reports of Black-billed Cuckoo on the Moncton info line recently and yesterday while atlasing in 20kr94 square in Salt Springs I found one calling and another fly towards the unseen bird. The neat thing about atlasing is the unexpected and always a pleasant surprise. Ted Sears NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: IDing by calls From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:36:59 -0300 After years of learning with tapes at home, in the car and in the field, I recently purchased an iPod loaded with bird song and find it extremely useful. There is no doubt that the variability of some bird song makes learning from tapes challenging at times. However, I find that there are often times when I hear birds that are seldom encountered or seldom heard. It seems to me that there is no way to learn the vocalizations of a bird that one rarely hears in the field unless one listens to recordings. The text in our guide books can be very useful but for me it does not compare with an actual recording. I also find that there are times that I simply have forgotten certain songs or call notes and need a quick reminder. My suggestion is to spend time online, possibly purchase some CDs and/or an iPod and spend lots of time in the field working with what you have learned. Todd Watts On 24-Jun-09, at 9:44 AM, ron m wrote: > I have always wanted to ID birds by their calls and while at the > Annual Meeting the first of June I was again amazed by those who can > do it. How did some of you learn how to do this so well. Is there > a gadget you used or was it just by constantly being out and about > first identifying the bird by sight and then listening to it's > various songs. I would sometime like to help with the atlasing but > don't feel qualified. > > Ron McGuire > Tower Hill, NB > (outside St. Stephen, NB) > > > > __________________________________________________________________ > Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark > your favourite sites. Download it now > http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com. > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bird Rescue From: "J. Day-Elgee" <sawwhet AT nbnet.nb.ca> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:10:54 +0000 At the risk of being seen as too chatty, I'd like to relate how I try to rescue birds suffering from window strikes, which seems to work for me. This afternoon, a beautiful male Blackburnian warbler struck my living-room window and dropped out of sight. I rushed outside to find it on a step, back against the wall, tail up, wings folded. It didn't seem to be alive, but the eyes weren't rolled back in its head, which was a good sign. Then I saw a blink - life! So I tore back inside, drew some water into a container, grabbed a cloth and went back out to the injured bird (it left a smear on the window that may be blood, or stomach contents or something.) I gently lifted it away from the wall, smoothing down its tail as I held it in my hand. I dipped my other hand's baby finger in the water and drew a drop over to the bird's beak. After some "nudging" with the drop, it opened its mouth a smidge and took in some water. Then it shook it's head and looked a bit more "with it". I repeated the water drop bit three or four more times until it didn't seem to want any more. At this point it fluttered its wings - another good sign. So I gently wrapped it up in the cloth and sheltered it for a couple of minutes in my cupped hands until it wiggled out, because I was holding it so loosely. I left it on the step for another minute while I ran inside for a camera, then went out again to see it starting to look for an escape route, away from the wa! ll and steps. I managed to get one photo before it fluttered to the end of the steps, then up along the side of the house, over the roof and was then gone from my sight, presumably into the woods. I'm no expert, but I think the water drops are the key to the bird's revival, as this technique has worked successfully on a junco, a chickadee, and a goldfinch in past years. (And lest anyone suggest that my windows are prone to strikes, the other incidents have occurred at different locations!) My feeling was that if left alone, the bird may not have come out of it stupor and gone into shock and died. I'm just happy that I may have helped it a bit and what a thrill to see one of my favourite birds at such close range and to have held it in my hands, although not under the best circumstances. The photo of the Blackburnian may be seen at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009373&id=1476283997&l=2151615257 Jennifer Day-Elgee, Kingston, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Hornet Moth ?? From: Joanne savage <davidsavage AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:41:47 -0300 How common is Hornet Moth in New Brunswick ? I've had a question from a relative in Mispec today regarding an insect that sounds like that species . She described it to me and I did some research . I came up with Hornet Moth and it is within the expected time to see one . Please correct me if I am wrong .Description is as follows : The insect resembles a Bumblebee , but larger ; with yellow/black across the body , clear wings and long black antenae . It was seen enjoying her Honeysuckle this afternoon and neighbors had the same insect visiting potted plants today as well . Joanne Savage Quispamsis NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: purple finch From: Hugh Parks <woodduck AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:33:14 -0300 My wife just spotted a purple finch fluttering in the yard, when she approached it, it had died. She didn't touch it, but left it there. Earlier there had been a posting about sick finches. Just thought I would mention it. Hugh Parks Breadalbane, (St George) NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Surf Scoters on Mactaquac Headpond From: John and Jane <jrandjs AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:29:34 -0300 Today there were 9 Surf Scoters, males and females, on Mactaquac Headpond just off Wulastukw Park. I have lived here 9 years, and have never seen Scoters at this time of year. I see all three types of Scoter in the fall, on the Southward migration, but never in the Spring/Summer. I don't know if this is of interest, but there you go. John Rankin __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4186 (20090624) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Looking for a Cardinal From: Dwayne Biggar <dbiggar AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:37:28 -0300 Someone contacted me to see if I knew of anywhere to see a Cardinal. Any around NB now? Dwayne Biggar 3203 route 114 Edgett's Landing, NB E4H 2E9 506-734-2489 dbiggar AT rogers.com NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: IDing by calls From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:04:35 -0300 I know only too well what Kathy means about a "window of opportunity"! I reached a point about 5 years ago when I could identify most bird calls and songs fairly readily each spring. Then my upper register hearing started disappearing as my years advanced. Now I have a problem with most songs and calls in the upper range unless the bird is quite close, so I stopped doing Breeding Bird Surveys as I couldn't hear many of the warblers more than 100 yards away. I still hear fragments of some of the songs, but I suspect that will deteriorate in the next five years to the point where I won't be able to do the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas on my own. As for remembering songs by phrases, I tend to use syllables rather than words and factor in strength and speed, especially among the wood-warblers. However, the variety of songs uttered by some species, especially Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped and Black-and-white Warblers, makes confirmation difficult once the leaf cover masks the singer. Habitat is a help, but I find the feeding techniques of the singer and its place in the canopy safer for clinching id. The one problem with using commercial recordings is that most of those for the east were recorded in Ontario and south of Massachusetts where the songs can be quite different. Roger Burrows Ingalls Head Grand Manan On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 11:32 AM, Popma wrote: > I never found recordings very helpful in learning bird songs either on CD > or Dendroica online. They never seem to sound like they do in the field, > for me anyway. What helped me the most was to go birding with knowledgeable > people willing to spend time teaching (I was lucky with Dan Busby, Tony > Erskine, Stu Tingley and Chris Ellingwood all willing to do this on club > field trips). Have them describe and identify the calls and not too many at > one session or else they all start to sound the same. Then go out by > yourself or with one other person also keen and practice intentionally by > deliberately picking out the same few songs until they become familiar, then > move on to others.. great challenge! > Little verbalized reminders like "Sweet, sweet, sweeter than sweet" > (Yellow Warbler) and "Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher" (Ovenbird) or "O > Canada, Canada, Canada" (White-throated Sparrow) can help but not everyone > hears the same words. Sometimes people or books give references like > "sounds like a squeaky wheel" (Black and White Warbler) or "sounds like it > is being squeezed" (Blackburnian Warbler). I find the older editions of > bird field guides more helpful describing songs than the newer ones, perhaps > because recordings were not used as much. Pick a still day, not too early > so it doesn't get too complicated, and learn the songs for that one habitat > (wet conifer forest, residential garden, mature deciduous forest, marsh > etc). Earlier in the season before all the leaves come out is the best so > you can check the ID visually, as now most of the birds are pretty hard to > see. However, there is still a chance as the songs are still being heard, > although they are diminishing already I find. > It is difficult because we only hear them for about 6 weeks, then don't > hear them again for another whole year, and aural memory is usually poorer > than visual. I think I learned about 2 new species' songs each year, so you > can imagine it took quite a while, and I am still not always sure with the > Redstart/Magnolia/Chestnut-sided group due to all the variables. > Finally, I don't know how old the person who brought this subject up is, > but there is a small window of opportunity for most of us between when one > finally learns all the songs, and when one first starts to notice hearing > changes...must enjoy while we can! > > hope all this is of some use, and sorry for length > Kathy P > Sackville > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: IDing by calls From: Popma <popma AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:32:56 -0300 I never found recordings very helpful in learning bird songs either on CD or Dendroica online. They never seem to sound like they do in the field, for me anyway. What helped me the most was to go birding with knowledgeable people willing to spend time teaching (I was lucky with Dan Busby, Tony Erskine, Stu Tingley and Chris Ellingwood all willing to do this on club field trips). Have them describe and identify the calls and not too many at one session or else they all start to sound the same. Then go out by yourself or with one other person also keen and practice intentionally by deliberately picking out the same few songs until they become familiar, then move on to others.. great challenge! Little verbalized reminders like "Sweet, sweet, sweeter than sweet" (Yellow Warbler) and "Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher" (Ovenbird) or "O Canada, Canada, Canada" (White-throated Sparrow) can help but not everyone hears the same words. Sometimes people or books give references like "sounds like a squeaky wheel" (Black and White Warbler) or "sounds like it is being squeezed" (Blackburnian Warbler). I find the older editions of bird field guides more helpful describing songs than the newer ones, perhaps because recordings were not used as much. Pick a still day, not too early so it doesn't get too complicated, and learn the songs for that one habitat (wet conifer forest, residential garden, mature deciduous forest, marsh etc). Earlier in the season before all the leaves come out is the best so you can check the ID visually, as now most of the birds are pretty hard to see. However, there is still a chance as the songs are still being heard, although they are diminishing already I find. It is difficult because we only hear them for about 6 weeks, then don't hear them again for another whole year, and aural memory is usually poorer than visual. I think I learned about 2 new species' songs each year, so you can imagine it took quite a while, and I am still not always sure with the Redstart/Magnolia/Chestnut-sided group due to all the variables. Finally, I don't know how old the person who brought this subject up is, but there is a small window of opportunity for most of us between when one finally learns all the songs, and when one first starts to notice hearing changes...must enjoy while we can! hope all this is of some use, and sorry for length Kathy P Sackville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Nature Moncton's Information Line From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:23:38 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to both the poster of this transcript and to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton -- the Moncton Naturalists' Club, contact our president, Hank Scarth, at 861-0992, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Wednesday morning, June 24, 2009. ** Denis Doucet commen5ts on hearing a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO [Coulicou � bec noir] vocalizing near his Pellerin home on Monday and thought he had heard it on Saturday as well. From reports there would be suggestions that there may be a few more BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS around this year than in recent years. Denis also heard a WILLOW FLYCATCHER [Moucherolle des saules] around his yard pond on Tuesday assuming it to be the same individual that he is hearing approximately 800 metres away previously. The EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] pair that he has nesting in his yard are very visibly feeding young at the moment and Denis also noted a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER [Paruline � croupion jaune] and a GRAY CATBIRD [Moqueur chat] carrying food to indicate nests with young in the vicinity. Denis reports on Wednesday morning he noted the first of his occupied TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] boxes to fledge young. He has 12 nest boxes erected, 9 were taken by TREE SWALLOWS and one by an EASTERN BLUEBIRD pair. Kouchibouguac National Park is now officially declared as a Dark Sky Preserve and astronomy presentations are hoped to get underway in August, September and October with at least one presentation a month. ** Alain Clavette was able to get a supply of meal worms to provide to his resident EASTERN BLUEBIRD family and has had some interesting scenarios when introducing the haute-cuisine to the pair. He used a few small plastic containers at strategic locations. The male was the first to investigate and sample the menu and in a few days was quite enjoying the treat. The female was more hesitant to partake however after some mating gestures to the male decided to partake now and both are enjoying. Alain makes the same whistle each time he puts out fresh meal worms and the pair now know exactly what it means. The female is still incubating at this point. Alain was able to fledge 5 young successfully 5 years ago and used meal worms at that time as well. ** My MOTH ATTRACTOR LIGHT is staying quite active despite the cool wet evenings, usually 12 to 15 different species appear every night. The large SPHINXES are regular including the WAVED,LAUREL, NORTHERN APPLE, CANADIAN, MODEST and the EYEDS SPHINX group. Some of the interesting smaller ones have been the PISTACHIO EMERALD, along with other of the EMERALDS group and one called the LAUGHTER MOTH and lots more. The striking designs and colour patterns are very varied and the YELLOW-COLLARED SKAPE MOTH is starting now and is a day-flying moth as well with its dark wings and brilliant orange collar. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton / Moncton Naturalists' Club NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html