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2 Sep NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 (Thursday) [Alma White ] 2 Sep Great Horned Owl [ron m ] 1 Sep Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] 1 Sep Grand Manan & White Head birds [Roger Burrows ] 1 Sep Re: Small fish ["MacPherson,Adam [Sackville]" ] 1 Sep Yellow-headed Blackbird - Grand Manan [Harry scarth ] 1 Sep Small fish [Ngaire Nelson ] 1 Sep A novel way to discourage grackles [Keith Dewar ] 1 Sep NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 (Wednesday) [Alma White ] 31 Aug Yellow-headed Blackbird [Durlan & Sally ] 31 Aug Re: Oiseaux de rivage Marais Riverview Marsh Shorebirds [Marcel David ] 31 Aug Shediac area SANDHILL CRANE August 31/ GRUE DU CANADA région de Shédiac 31 août [Gilles Bourque ] 31 Aug Re: Oiseaux de rivage Marais Riverview Marsh Shorebirds [Gilles Bourque ] 31 Aug Grand Manan Ferry birds, inc. POMARINE JAEGER [Roger Burrows ] 31 Aug Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] 31 Aug Apparent White-chinned petrel off Bar Harbour ["Wayne P. Neily" ] 31 Aug NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Aug 31,2010 (TUESDAY) [RICHARD MCCABE ] 31 Aug Monarch & Razorbills, Grand Manan [Wendy Rogers ] 31 Aug Nature Moncton Information Line [Bob Blake ] 31 Aug It was raining bugs [Christopher Clunas ] 30 Aug Grand Manan & Kent Island birds, inc. PRAIRIE WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER, LARK SPARROW & YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD [Roger Burrows ] 30 Aug query re : Black Tern migration [Joanne savage ] 30 Aug Photos from Grand Manan August 28-29 [Stuart Tingley ] 30 Aug Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] 30 Aug Pelagic Birding Off G Manan Last Saturday [Jim Wilson ] 30 Aug Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 29, 2010. (Sunday) [Ralph Eldridge ] 30 Aug Hawk Flight Forecast [Todd Watts ] 30 Aug More Grand Manan birds, including BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, NORTHERN PINTAIL & RED KNOT [Roger Burrows ] 29 Aug Malbaie Nord / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) [Marcel David ] 29 Aug Malbaie Nord / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/28) [Marcel David ] 29 Aug Malbaie Sud / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) [Marcel David ] 29 Aug Dune de Maisonnette / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) [Marcel David ] 29 Aug Pélican d'Amérique / American White-Pelican (mise à jour) [Marcel David ] 29 Aug Re: Red snake ["Frederick W. Schueler" ] 29 Aug Re: Red snake [David Christie ] 29 Aug Ingalls Head birds, inc. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER [Roger Burrows ] 29 Aug ident needed if possible [Irene Doyle ] 29 Aug Philadelphia Vireos and Rose-breasted Grosbeak [Todd Watts ] 29 Aug NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 29, 2010. (Sunday) [Alma White ] 28 Aug Stilt Sandpiper in Saint John - Aug 28 2010 [Gilles Belliveau ] 28 Aug Re: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick [Brian Dalzell ] 28 Aug Re: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick [richard nelson ] 28 Aug Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] 28 Aug Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL [Roger Burrows ] 28 Aug birds etc. in Sackville Waterfowl Park [Popma ] 28 Aug Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick [Paul Clark ] 28 Aug NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, August 28, 2010 (Saturday) [David Christie ] 27 Aug Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Aug 21-27, 2010 [David Christie ] 27 Aug Tomorrow at the Hawk Watch [Todd Watts ] 27 Aug Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] 27 Aug Boat trip out of Seal Cove & Grand Harbour birds [Roger Burrows ] 27 Aug Re: question about dead Gannets ["Frederick W. Schueler" ] 27 Aug Re: Red snake [Steeve Miousse ] 27 Aug clarification [Irene Doyle ] 27 Aug Red snake [ron m ] 27 Aug NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 27, 2010. (Friday) [Alma White ] 26 Aug luna moth or POLYPHEMUS MOTH [Margaret Doyle ] 26 Aug NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 26, 2010. (Thursday) [Alma White ] 26 Aug Hawk Flight Forecast [Todd Watts ] 25 Aug White-chinned Petrel [Durlan & Sally ] 25 Aug Fwd: Eastport/Lubec/Campobello (shorebirds inc Baird's, gulls inc. Sabines, and seabirds), 8/22-24 [Todd Watts ] 25 Aug Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. POMARINE JAEGER, WARBLING VIREO, PRAIRIE WARBLER, DICKCISSEL, possible LITTLE STINT [Roger Burrows ] 25 Aug Nighthawks [John Chardine ] 25 Aug Black Tern and lots of Eagles at Kouchibouguac National Park [Mike LeBlanc ] 25 Aug Hawk Watch Volunteers Needed [Todd Watts ] 25 Aug western kingbird [John Kowtaluk ] 25 Aug First Blackpoll Warbler of Fall [Brian Dalzell ] 25 Aug First Blackpoll Warbler of Fall [Brian Dalzell ] 25 Aug NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, August 25, 2010 (Wednesday) [Bill Winsor ] 25 Aug No Bats @ Bancroft Point [Brian Dalzell ] 24 Aug Fw: [Shirley Smith ] 24 Aug No Subject [yolandeLeBlanc ] 24 Aug Night-Heron Roost @ Castalia Marsh [Brian Dalzell ] 24 Aug question about dead Gannets ["Frederick W. Schueler" ] 24 Aug Bermuda Petrel off Grand Manan! [Brian Dalzell ] 24 Aug Today's Hawks [Todd Watts ] Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 (Thursday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:11:01 -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, [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962] contact our President, John Foster, at 384-7212 or our Vice- President, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Thursday morning, September 2, 2010. **Judy Marsh enjoyed a scenario in her Shediac yard on Wednesday evening with a HAIRY WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] and a BLUE JAY [Geai bleu] perched together at the bird bath to appreciate a feeling of water in the intense heat. It reminded her of two old lambs gathering at the watering hole. ** On Wednesday afternoon Denis Doucet spotted two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS [Pluvier bronzé] that briefly stopped by a recently harvested hay field near his Pellerin home. Denis did not indicate if they were matures moulting or immatures but I suspect matures at this time. Denis comments there is still a nice diversity of shore birds being seen at Kouchibouguac National Park. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] are still being seen around his home and a PALM WARBLER [Paruline à couronne rousse] has been foraging in his yard tree the past 7 to 10 days. A MERLIN [Faucon émerillon] had been faithful to a particular fence post near Denis' yard pond these past days. The alders of the pond happen to be a night roost for a troop of COMMON GRACKLES [Quiscale bronzé], RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à épaulettes] and EUROPEAN STARLINGS [Étourneau sansonnet] that has become the MERLIN'S source of early morning interest. The blackbird troop was approximately 500 in number making for an easy target. **Field trip coordinator Catherine Johnson has arranged the first Nature Moncton field trip of the fall season on "Early Fall Wildflowers" and also fauna for Saturday September 11^th to be led by Garth Bishop starting at 10 am to 3pm. This will be an excursion to identify some of the late blooming wildflowers that we encounter in NB. We are likely to see other interesting flora and fauna including BUTTERFLIES, DRAGONFLIES and other insects that are active this time of year and who better to sleuth out such than botany guru Garth Bishop? This is sure to be an interesting outing. Bring your notebook and camera and expect to absorb all the information Garth is so capable of and willing to share. Meet at the second or back parking lot of the Irishtown Nature Park, main entrance, at 9.45 am. Be sure to wear rubber boots as the natural wet areas so often offer the greatest sampling of local flora. Optional sign up is available so you can be contacted in the event of a weather cancellation and to ensure that no one is left behind. Bring a lunch and necessary gear for this season. Register with Judi Berri-Steeves at > or phone Judi at 387-4778. As always all are welcome, Nature Moncton member or guests. **Don't forget the earlier announcement of this week that the Nature Moncton September newsletter deadline is it this Friday September 3^rd . Submit material to editor, Gilles Bourque and a last reminder will be repeated tomorrow. 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: Great Horned Owl From: ron m <ron_m321 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:45:07 -0700 Last evening the dog and I were out walking around the Oak Bay Cemetery; just off Highway 1 about 10 km east of St. Stephen, and were swooped by a Great Horned Owl.  It flew over us twice before landing in a tree to watch us, after circling the cemetery we returned to the spot where he had been but by then he must have found something more to his liking or a "cooler spot".  But I don't know where it would have been!!!   Ron McGuire Tower Hill, NB (outside St. Stephen) NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:00:25 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts. September 1, 2010 Osprey 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 Broad-winged Hawk 5 Northern Harrier 1 American Kestrel 6 Total: 28 Observation Period: 10:15AM-3:30PM Weather: HOT and hazy with light NW winds. 33 degrees in the shade. Much higher just off the rocks. Notes: Non-migrants included 3 Osprey, 2 American Kestrel, at least 1 Sharp-shin, 1 Merlin, as well as, several eagles and vultures. Highlights of the day: Upon reaching the watch, I was greeted by 2 American Kestrel and 1 Sharp-shin fighting over the best perches (these are about 40 meters from the observation point). Other close birds included Osprey, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Northern Harrier and Turkey Vulture. The Harrier flew directly over me at a height of no greater than 5 meters. Toward the end of the day, a 10 minute dog fight between a male Kestrel and a Merlin took place right at the watch site passing within 10 meters of me. It was pretty heated making me think that the kestrel might not survive. I have seen these fight many times, yet I am still awed by the abilities of Merlins. They are amazing flyers. Todays bird repeatedly flew within centimeters of the rocks as it dove on the kestrel. Non-raptors: Very light movement Tomorrow: More heat and west winds. More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: Grand Manan & White Head birds From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:31:33 -0300 SEPTEMBER 1 Ingalls Head 08:45-09:00 22 Semipalmated Plovers, 3 Sanderlings, Least & 16 Semipalmated Sandpipers White Head Ferry 09:00-09:30 Great Blue Heron, 8 Double-crested Cormorants, 32 Common Eiders, 7 Semipalmated Plovers, 26 Semipalmated Sandpipers, Black Guillemot White Head: Marsh & Flats 09:35-09:50 14 Great Blue Herons, first Pectoral Sandpiper of fall, 6 Semipalmated Sandpipers White Head: Main Road 09:50-10:20 2 very small juvenile Ring-necked Pheasants, Sharp-shinned Hawk,1+ Baltimore Orioles White Head: Langmaid Cove & Old Dumpsite 10:20-11:20 8 Great & 9 Double-crested Cormorants, Common Eider, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 3 wood-warblers, first Lincoln's Sparrow of fall White Head: Marsh & Flats 13:05-13:45 52 Black-bellied Plovers, 7 Ruddy Tuirnstones, 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers White Head Ferry 14:00-14:30 Northern Gannet, 23 Double-crested Cormorants, 52 Common Eiders, Ruddy Turnstone, 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, 4 Black Guillemos, inc. juvenile Roger Burrows Stu Tingley pointed out I missed listing the SUMMER TANAGER the other day...it was just up the old Ashburton Road trail close to Long Eddy Point. 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: Small fish From: "MacPherson,Adam [Sackville]" <Adam.MacPherson AT EC.GC.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:30:54 -0300 Hello Ngaire You are likely talking about capelin. -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Ngaire Nelson Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 1:16 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Small fish While on Saints' Rest Beach yesterday afternoon to cool off from the oppressive heat, we noticed schools of small silvery fish dancing on the water about 10-12 feet from shore just before the waves broke. There were several standed on the sand as well after the wave receded. They were about 3" long. I have never seen this happen at this beach before. Does anyone have any idea what they might have been? Regards, Ngaire Nelson Saint John, NB 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: Yellow-headed Blackbird - Grand Manan From: Harry scarth <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:40:17 +0000 As of noon hour today, the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD is still present at the fenced parking lot at Castalia Marsh on Grand Manan. Despite 30C plus temperatures, the bird fed continuously. In approximatly 50 minutes of observation, it consumed insects at a rate of more than one a minute. Many of these were sizable grasshoppers, hard-shelled beetles, spiders and moths. It also appeared to be eating seeds and other vegatative material. It is a mystery as to how it was able to pack away such a volume of food! For the most part, the bird remained in the shadow of the small grey building, with short forays to capture prey. It is quite "tame" but there is no need to approach it for good photos. With patience, the bird will eventually spot an insect in your direction and will approach quite closely. Thanks to Durlan Ingersol and Stu Tingley for the updates. H.H. (Hank) Scarth 9 Goldie Court Rothesay, NB E2E 5J5 506.216.0624 (h) 506.647.7715 (Hank cel) 506.647.1569 (Carolyn cel) NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Small fish From: Ngaire Nelson <rnelson AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 13:15:59 -0300 While on Saints' Rest Beach yesterday afternoon to cool off from the oppressive heat, we noticed schools of small silvery fish dancing on the water about 10-12 feet from shore just before the waves broke. There were several standed on the sand as well after the wave receded. They were about 3" long. I have never seen this happen at this beach before. Does anyone have any idea what they might have been? Regards, Ngaire Nelson Saint John, 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: A novel way to discourage grackles From: Keith Dewar <kdewar AT UNBSJ.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:57:25 -0300 I have had a large flock of 50 or so cleaning out the feeder, but have found a solutions that is 90% affective. Hire a Coopers Hawk. Working very well . adds a new meaning to "bird feeder!" Keith Email: kdewar AT unbsj.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'S INFORMATION LINE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 (Wednesday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:47:10 -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, [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962] contact our President, John Foster, at 384-7212 or our Vice- President, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Wednesday morning September 1, 2010 **It sure is caterpillar time in NB at the moment with opportunities to see the larval stages of many of the butterflies and moths of earlier summer with many now having gone through several changes to get quite large. Judi Berri-Steeves photographed what appears to be a LAUREL SPHINX MOTH, that is a large caterpillar at this point in the Slacks Cove area and a definite SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH caterpillar in her home yard when she got home. The SPOTTED TUSSOCK is a colourful yellow and black with white tufts. The LAUREL SPHINX CATERPILLAR often sports a blue horn-like structure from the top rear that bears minute black spines. There are other colourful identification features that did not show on Judi's photo. For those who use it David Wagner's excellent caterpillar guide book he refers to this caterpillar with the common name "FAWN" SPHINX however the scientific name of SPHINX KALMIAE is of course the same. **Dave Christie commented last Saturday that he had not noted the EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de l'Est] that were housekeeping in the Hopewell Hill area all during the month of August however on late Monday afternoon Dave and Mary did spot 7 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS perched on utility wires near the covered bridge at Hopewell Hill along Route 114. On shorebirds Dave comments that numbers on the beach increased to 4,000 on Tuesday evening with significantly more WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à croupion blanc], approximately 70 among the group. This observation was in the 5 to 6pm time window. **Jean Renton reports hearing the loud vocalizations of a BARRED OWL [Chouette rayée] in a wooded area along the Ammon Road recently. At their Canaan Forks camp Jean comments there is a significant number of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] coming to the feeders in that wooded area along with the expected AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune], RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS [Colibri à gorge rubis] and lots of AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Amérique] in constant conversation in apple trees. I have noticed the same thing as Jean at my Little SW Miramichi feeders with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES having lots of them as clients this year, very few the past few years. The wild corn supply must have made for a good year for that species. **Also on feeder clients I have been putting out jam this year for the first time on a regular basis and have sure enjoyed having the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER [Pic maculé] family as regulars. They are not coming now but a CHIPMUNK has taken a real taste for the booty. 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: Yellow-headed Blackbird From: Durlan & Sally <nateem AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:47:23 -0300 The bird was still present at Castalia marsh this evening. It has been located from the fence to the picnic shelters. It is or appearrs to be very tame. Thanks Stu. Many shearwaters on the bay today. Will spend the entire day with VENT tours tomorrow. 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: Re: Oiseaux de rivage Marais Riverview Marsh Shorebirds From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:38:27 -0400 Attention, Roger, tu peux développer une dépendance aux impressionnants oiseaux de rivage à la suite d'une longue exposition à leurs plumages! Je parle en connaissance de cause! ;-) Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.ca <-----Message d'origine----- Subject: Shediac area SANDHILL CRANE August 31/ GRUE DU CANADA région de Shédiac 31 août From: Gilles Bourque <laverda AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:30:22 -0300 Tuesday August 31 the Sandhill Crane was still present in Barachois, N.B., east of Shediac. Having been reported around the school, I managed to locate it across the highway in Barachois behind the church next to the cemetery. Actively feeding until it flew off around 8:00pm. Mardi le 31 août la grue du Canada était encore présente à Barachois, N.B. à l’est de Shédiac. La grue fut rapporté dans le coin comme étant présente encore tout près de l’école à Barachois. Je l’ai observé cette fois-ci de l’autre côté de l’autoroute en arrière de l’église près du cimetière. Elle se nourrissait jusqu'à son envole vers 20:00 heure. Gilles Bourque Moncton, 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: Oiseaux de rivage Marais Riverview Marsh Shorebirds From: Gilles Bourque <laverda AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:23:06 -0300 To follow up with Roger's posting, I visited the area Sunday afternoon at high tide. I would say the number of shorebirds were higher than the numbers Roger tallied. 1 species to note was a Pectoral Sandpiper amongst the vast array of shorebirds present. Peregrine Falcon and Merlin made their appearance keeping the shorebirds on high alert. Pour faire suite au message de Roger posté sur Nature NB, je suis allé faire un tour dimanche après-midi à marée haute. Le nombres d'oiseaux de rivage étaient fort supérieur aux nombres mentionnés par Roger cette journée là. Une espèce a noter en pluse de ceux mentionnées par Roger, fut le bécasseau a poitrine cendrée. Un faucon pèlerin, et émerillon ont fait une passée pour tenir les oiseaux de rivage sur leur état d'alerte. Gilles Bourque Moncton, N.B. -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Roger Leblanc Sent: August-24-10 6:04 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Oiseaux de rivage Marais Riverview Marsh Shorebirds Salut à tous/ Hello all, Et ben le Marais de Riverview ( juste devant le centre de traitement des eaux usées du Grand Moncton) peut être excellent pour les oiseaux de rivage quand les conditions sont bonne et aujourd'hui il l'était. Il faut y aller a marée haute et quand l'eau dans les étangs y est basse (faute de pluie) comme c'est le cas présentement. Il en résulte de belles vasières où les limicoles peuvent continuer à se nourrir quand la marée haute les empêche de le faire ailleurs. J'en arrive et alors que je voulais y rester une heure pour faire une recensement de limicoles j'y suis rester 2 heures et demi et ai du me faire violence pour en partir. J'y ai répertorié 10 espèces (liste suit) de limicole avec un millier d'individu au totale. Les vedettes? Un beau Bécasseau de Baird avec son plumage si caractéristique en ce temps ci de l'année, au moins 7 Bécasseaux à croupion blanc et 2 Phalaropes a bec étroit. Un belle brochet en pleine vue et à moins d'un kilomètre du centre ville de Moncton.! SI la météo le permet j'y serais très certainement à nouveau demain à marée haute. Bonnes observations Well, the Riverview Marsh (just in front of the Greater Moncton Sewerage commission complex) can be a great place for shorebirds if the conditions are right and today they surely were. One of my best days there ever in fact. You have to be there at high tide and the fresh water in the ponds most be low (as there are now from lack of rain) so as to permit some mud flats to show where shorebirds can keep on feeding even as the high tide makes it hard for them to do so elsewhere. I am just getting back from going there to do a normally one hour long survey but having stayed two and a half hour and having had to use that proverbial crowbar to pry myself away. I saw practically from one view point 10 species of shorebirds (list follows) and maybe one thousand individual. The stars for me were a smart looking (at this time of the year) Baird's Sandpiper, at least 7 White-rumped Sandpipers (significant number here) and 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. All of this in plain site of the Monc! ton Skyline, downtown being less that a Km away. If it is not poring I will surely be there again tomorrow at high tide. Good birding. Roger Leblanc Moncton parus AT nb.sympatico.ca "Nous n'héritons pas la terre de nos parents, nous l'empruntons à nos enfants. We don't inherit the earth from our parents we borrow it from our children" Antoine de St-Exupery Pluvier semipalmé / Semipalmated Plover 46 Chevalier solitaire / Solitary Sandpiper 1 (true to it's name / effectivement) Grand chevalier / Greater Yellowlegs 2 Petit chevalier / Lesser Yellowlegs 98 (my larger number ever here/ mon plus haut total jamais à cette emplacement) Bécasseau semipalmé / Semipalmated Sandpiper 550 (lots of immatures / beaucoup d'immature) Bécasseau minuscule / Least Sandpiper 210 ( high number for here / total élevé pour l' emplacement) Bécasseau à croupion blanc / White-rumped Sandpiper 7 ( high number for here / total élevé pour l' emplacement) Bécasseau de Baird / Baird's Sandpiper 1 Bécassin roux / Short-billed Dowitcher 1 Red-necked Phalarope / Phalarope à bec étroit 2 (first for me here / ma première mention pour l' emplacement) 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: Grand Manan Ferry birds, inc. POMARINE JAEGER From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:50:01 -0300 AUGUST 31 North Head to Blacks Harbour 07:30-09:00 72 Greater & 13 Sooty Shearwaters, 23 Northern Gannets, adult Great & 12 Double-crested Cormorants, 8 Common Eiders, adult Bald Eagle, 6 Red & 36 Red-necked Phalaropes, 23 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 3 Bonaparte's Gulls, dark morph POMARINE JAEGER, 3+ Common & 3+ Arctic Terns, 2 Razorbills Blacks Harbour to North Head 15:45-17:15 37 Greater & 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 17 Northern Gannets, 16 Double-crested Cormorants, 46 Red-necked Phalaropes, 6 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 33 Bonaparte's Gulls, dark morph POMARINE JAEGER, 23+ Common & 8+ Arctic Terns, adult Common+ 2 chicks, 8+ Razorbills plus 2 FINBACK WHALES & numerous HARBOUR PORPOISES 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: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:56:11 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts. August 31, 2010 Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 10 Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 Broad-winged Hawk 4 Northern Harrier 2 American Kestrel 21 Merlin 1 Unidentified Raptor 2 Total: 59 Observation Period: 9:15AM-4:30PM Weather: Hot and Hazy with light to moderate NW winds. It was 33 degrees in the shade. Temperature just off the rocks was much higher. Notes: Most of the areas resident raptors were not seen until after noon. They typically appear during the first hour of observation. On this day, resident birds of prey included 3 Osprey, 2 American Kestrel, as well as several Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures. Migrant raptor activity also occurred mostly during the afternoon. The morning was very hazy! Had I suspected that a good movement was going to take place today, I would have tried to recruit some volunteers. More eyes would likely have produced higher count numbers Highlights of the day: The afternoon produced a good number of surprisingly close birds. American Kestrel were the most numerous. Several Sharp-shins repeatedly dove on the owl. Wish I had a good camera. Many nice shots were missed. Non-raptors: Movement was very light Tomorrow: W to possibly SW winds. Observations are possible. I will likely wait until morning before deciding weather or not to observe. More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: Apparent White-chinned petrel off Bar Harbour From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:09:33 -0300 Hello all, Perhaps I missed it, but I haven"t seen this mentioned on the NB and NS lists, but it was on Ornitho-QC a few days ago, and would be of interest to both of ours. With all the strays this summer and potential hurricanes, any planning to go on the NSBS Brier Island weekend should not only register well in advance, but check field guides for more southerly oceans! Check the photos at: http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=20846 Wayne P. Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Hast thou named all the birds without a gun? Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk?" - Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1847 [Poems: Forbearance] 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 Aug 31,2010 (TUESDAY) From: RICHARD MCCABE <ROMCCABE AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:55:05 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Roberta McCabe 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 [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], contact our new President John Foster at 384-7212, or our Vice- president Dale Gaskin at 734-2197 or visit our web site at http://www.naturemoncton.org. ** It's that time of year when black bears may be spotted more frequently as the decreasing day length has them thinking of fueling up for the winter. Roberta Cormier shares a pleasant observation she had a subadult black bear standing erect on its hind feet approximately 40 feet away from her vehicle as she travelledl between Moncton iand Bouctouche in the early evening time window on Saturday. ** The White Pelican is staying quite faithful to its site on Miscou Island. Peter DeMarsch spotted it at the Malbaie Bay North Lagoon approximately a 2 km walk along the beach from the lighthouse. It was at the southern end of the Lagoon and gave excellent observation opportunities. ** Wendell Lemon who lives in the Allison area between Moncton and Salisbury on the Salisbury Road spotted a heron-like bird on a few occasions near his home recently. He has seen it in flight and it flies with neck fully extended. A heads-up for anyone in this area or traveling through the area keep an eye out for something different. Wendell also comments he has noted sandpipers in a group up to a few dozen foraging around a backwater that has been created by work done to shore up the bank of the Petitcodiac River. He notes it's the first time he has ever seen them at that site. ** Dave Christie leaves an update on shorebird activity at Mary's Point. There have been 1000-2000 shorebirds in the area the past few days, with 2000 on Monday at high tide time. Least Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover are about as numerous as Semipalmated Sandpiper. Approximately 50 Sanderlings were in the blend and a few White-rumped Sandpipers. A very noticeable feature on late Monday afternoon and evening was a very large number of dragonflies in flight of the darner group in the Mary's Point, Harvey, and Riverside-Albert area. ** It's hard to believe September is about to launch which means Nature Moncton comes back to life for a new season. Newsletter editor is Gilles Bourque advises the deadline for the September newsletter will be this coming Friday, September 3. Gilles is always looking for photos, written vignettes, and notices. Send them to Gilles via e-mail at laverda AT nbnet.nb.ca. or phone Gilles directly at 387-8372. Also, a bit of a heads-up on a field trip Catherine Johnson is arranging with Gart Bishop at the Irishtown Nature Park which will be taking place before the September monthly meeting. More details on that as they become available. **Transcribers Note: I apologise for the lack of bilingual bird names, I am away from home and do not have the list with me. ** Sorry for the delay today, I was unable to send the Line from where I was. . Nature Moncton Nelson Poirier NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Monarch & Razorbills, Grand Manan From: Wendy Rogers <wrogers1 AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:44:45 -0300 There was a solitary Monarch in the field near Southern Head Beach today at noon. Just outside Pat's Cove weir, along with a dozen seals and many excited gulls and cormorants, were a couple of Razorbills. I was surprised to see them so close to shore. 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 From: Bob Blake <booby AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:22:52 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Roberta McCabe 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 [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], contact our new President John Foster at 384-7212, or our Vice- president Dale Gaskin at 734-2197 or visit our web site at http://www.naturemoncton.org. ** It's that time of year when black bears may be spotted more frequently as the decreasing day length has them thinking of fueling up for the winter. Roberta Cormier shares a pleasant observation she had a subadult black bear standing erect on its hind feet approximately 40 feet away from her vehicle as she travelledl between Moncton iand Bouctouche in the early evening time window on Saturday. ** The White Pelican is staying quite faithful to its site on Miscou Island. Peter DeMarsch spotted it at the Malbaie Bay North Lagoon approximately a 2 km walk along the beach from the lighthouse. It was at the southern end of the Lagoon and gave excellent observation opportunities. ** Wendell Lemon who lives in the Allison area between Moncton and Salisbury on the Salisbury Road spotted a heron-like bird on a few occasions near his home recently. He has seen it in flight and it flies with neck fully extended. A heads-up for anyone in this area or traveling through the area keep an eye out for something different. Wendell also comments he has noted sandpipers in a group up to a few dozen foraging around a backwater that has been created by work done to shore up the bank of the Petitcodiac River. He notes it's the first time he has ever seen them at that site. ** Dave Christie leaves an update on shorebird activity at Mary's Point. There have been 1000-2000 shorebirds in the area the past few days, with 2000 on Monday at high tide time. Least Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover are about as numerous as Semipalmated Sandpiper. Approximately 50 Sanderlings were in the blend and a few White-rumped Sandpipers. A very noticeable feature on late Monday afternoon and evening was a very large number of dragonflies in flight of the darner group in the Mary's Point, Harvey, and Riverside-Albert area. ** It's hard to believe September is about to launch which means Nature Moncton comes back to life for a new season. Newsletter editor is Gilles Bourque advises the deadline for the September newsletter will be this coming Friday, September 3. Gilles is always looking for photos, written vignettes, and notices. Send them to Gilles via e-mail at laverda AT nbnet.nb.ca. or phone Gilles directly at 387-8372. Also, a bit of a heads-up on a field trip Catherine Johnson is arranging with Gart Bishop at the Irishtown Nature Park which will be taking place before the September monthly meeting. More details on that as they become available. **Transcribers Note: I apologise for the lack of bilingual bird names, I am away from home and do not have the list with me. . Nature Moncton Nelson Poirier NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: It was raining bugs From: Christopher Clunas <cclunas AT EASTLINK.CA> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:38:17 -0300 Last night I went outside to let the dogs out and felt a raindrop hit my head. Then I heard raindrops on the hoods of the nearby cars. Wait a second, I thought, it's a perfectly clear night. Where is the rain coming from? I went over to the nearest car and could see some small objects bouncing off the hood. Mystified, I went back in and brought out a flashlight to see what was going on. Bugs were falling from the sky onto the cars. After landing, they bounced about like jumping beans. I gathered a specimen, photographed it inside, and posted the photo to BugGuide.net. This morning I have an answer. It turns out this was probably a dispersal swarm of water boatmen (Corixidae). Apparently they find new homes in these mass seasonal migrations, and can sometimes mistake the reflective surface of a car as a pool of water. Fortunately, these were small (5mm) non-biting bugs, unlike the larger type of a related species that can deliver painful bites! The photographs and IDs by a couple of people can be seen at this site: http://bugguide.net/node/view/449148#769876 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: Grand Manan & Kent Island birds, inc. PRAIRIE WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER, LARK SPARROW & YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:01:27 -0300 AUGUST 30 Long Eddy Point 08:45-10:15 Sharp-shinned & Broad-winged Hawks, Merlin, 12+ Black-legged Kittiwakes, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 3 Red-eyed Vireos, 7 wood-warblers, inc. PRAIRIE WARBLER, 2 Chipping Sparrows Whistle Road Dumpsite 10:20-10:50 2 Least Flycatchers, Blue-headed & Red-eyed Vireos, 5 wood-warblers, inc. 2 Tennessee Warblers Castalia Marsh 11:20-12:40 2 Great Blue Herons, immature male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (in front of the rose bush by the outdoor toilet: the same bird photographed by Stu Tingley), immature Bobolink, 3+ Nelson's Sparrows Boat trip to Kent Island from Seal Cove 13:05-13:50 Common Loon, adult Great & 39 Double-crested Cormorants, 14 Common Eiders, Northern Gannet, 5 Razorbills, 7 Black Guillemots Kent Island 14:00-16:40 10 Canada Geese, 7 Common Eiders, Northern Harrier, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Sanderlings, Spotted, 5 Semipalmated & 5 Least Sandpipers, 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 2 Alder Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbird, immature LARK SPARROW Return boat trip to Seal Cove 16:45-17:45 7 Northern Gannets, 16 Double-crested Cormorants, 3 Green-winged Teals, 32 Common Eiders. 2 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 109 Razorbills (very high count!), Black Guillemot PS I agree the Grand Manan boat trips are incredible, as I have indicated many times in my reports!!! 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: query re : Black Tern migration From: Joanne savage <davidsavage AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:06:16 -0300 Approx 7:30 - 45 PM I noted 2 birds pass over my property that I am sure were BLACK TERN . They flew over individually within 5 min of each other arriving fm the East then turning due South . I've seen this species on 3 occasions this summer [ twice at French Lake near Oromocto and at Jemseg ] . At this sighting I was sitting on my deck with binos in hand so did get good viewing . Is this migration period for the species ? Is migration always individual ? 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: Photos from Grand Manan August 28-29 From: Stuart Tingley <stubirdnb AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:33:04 -0300 Here are a few photos from the weekend on Grand Manan: An immature male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Carouge à tête jaune) at the Castalia Marsh parking lot and picnic shelters on Sunday, August 29 around 12:45pm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stubirdnb/4942766489/ A leucistic immature HERRING GULL (Goéland argenté) on the roadside at Deep Cove on Sunday morning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stubirdnb/4943324314/ One of several QUESTION MARK (Polygone à queue violacée) butterflies at Southern Head Beach and at Southwest Head on Sunday morning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stubirdnb/4943336800/ An adult and an immature LARK SPARROW (Bruant à joues marron) pose atop the alders at Southwest Head lighthouse on Saturday afternoon (August 28). Another immature Lark Sparrow was less than a kilometer down the road: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stubirdnb/4942725359/ Good Birding, Stu Tingley Shediac, 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: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:35:02 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts. August 30, 2010 Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 3 Bald Eagle 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 Broad-winged Hawk 9 Northern Harrier 1 America Kestrel 6 Unidentified Raptor 1 Total: 39 Observation Period: 9:30AM-4:00PM Weather: HOT and hazy with light NW winds. Notes: Todays raptors counted as migrants were high, distant, often near the coast and hard to spot. Many raptors were seen soaring or hunting near the watch but were not counted as migrants. Cadillac Mountain had their best August day since 2004. This suggests to me that many of the birds seen there either came from Nova Scotia or exited NB via the islands. Very warm air creating powerful thermals likely brought many of their birds across the bay. Highlights of the day: The day was largely uneventful, but we did have some close birds. Non-raptors: Very little movement was observed. Tomorrow: West winds More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: Pelagic Birding Off G Manan Last Saturday From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:17:42 -0300 The long-planned group pelagic birding trip off Grand Manan was held on Saturday morning, August 28th with 40 birders aboard the "Day's Catch" out of Seal Cove. It would have been hard to choose a better day weather-wise. We enjoyed light winds along with clear and sunny conditions with no threat of fog. As we all know from Durlan Ingersoll's (Seawatch Tours), Laurie Murison's (Whales-n-Sails) and Ralph Eldridge's (Machias Seal Island) interesting postings to NatureNB, the Bay is an amazingly bountiful place for sea life of all forms. Saturday's experience was no different. We all came back to shore marveling at the numbers of sea birds present as well as other life forms that weren't the prime focus of the day. We sailed at 8 AM and returned to Seal Cove about 12:45 PM. Several of the group then spent some time trying to estimate approximate numbers for the various bird species, as follows: GREAT SHEARWATER (note recent name change) - 5,000-10,000 SOOTY SHEARWATER - 500-1,000 MANX SHEARWATER - 2 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL - 2,000 LEACH'S STORM-PETREL - 25 NORTHERN GANNET - 200-300 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - 20 GREAT CORMORANT - 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 4,000-8,000 RED PHALAROPE - 6,000-12,000 Highly probable SOUTH POLAR SKUA - 1 POMARINE JAEGER - 3 BONAPARTE'S GULL - 10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - 3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - 20 COMMON TERN - 25 COMMON MURRE - 2 RAZORBILL - 30 ATLANTIC PUFFIN - 40-50 TREE SWALLOW - 1 WARBLER (Common Yellowthroat or Mourning?) - 1 Highlights included reasonably good looks at what I personally feel was a SOUTH POLAR SKUA that rapidly approached the wake of the boat where a number of gulls and shearwaters were feeding on "chum" (bits of herring tossed overboard to attract). The skua dived at one of them, and then flew off again toward the southwest as rapidly as it came. In my opinion the bird was not a Great Skua as it was relatively small and showed no suggestion of warm browns, cinnamon or golden hues in its plumage. It was uniformly dark and also appeared to be undergoing wing molt, which was visible in several photos taken and examined later. Several birders took photos of the bird and critical examination of these should be helpful for a more positive identification. I'd be interested to hear comments from others, particularly if the photos can be placed on one webpage for examination and comparison. Another highlight was the presence of so many RED PHALAROPES and so many phalaropes in general. In total we estimated there were as many as 20,000 with an estimated 60% being RED and 40% Red-necked. Red Phalarope is listed in "Birds of New Brunswick: An Annotated List" as an uncommon fall migrant, while Red-necked is classed as common. My experience is that the Reds are usually much scarcer than Red-necks and this is by far the most that I've seen on a trip into the Bay. And the presence of so many of both species indicates plenty of invertebrate food near the surface. I understand there are relatively few places in the world where so many phalaropes can find the proper upwellings for ample food during migration. Three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS adds evidence to other reports that this species is increasing in numbers in this region. Not that many years ago seeing one would have been an event. Unfortunately we didn't get a great look at that warbler that buzzed us just above the waves and nearly landed on the boat. Some felt it was a Common Yellowthroat while others speculated on Mourning. Hank Scarth took one photo but the flying bird was too indistinct for a positive identification. I've said it many times, but I'll say it once again. The Bay of Fundy is a world class birding and whale watching destination. We're so extremely fortunate to have it so available to us here in New Brunswick. When I coordinate another pelagic trip several have suggested that it be for a longer time on the water. This is a good idea, because on Saturday Captain Wilcox had to return by 12:45 in order to take another group out in the afternoon. Although it would cost more, booking for the whole day would eliminate the fuel consumption of an extra round trip to the wharf and therefore the cost might still be reasonably attractive to the average birder. Something we'll work on for the future. *********************** Of course with all those eyes it follows that other good birds would be discovered by groups or individuals this weekend on Grand Manan. On Friday Merv Cormier, Sue Petrie, Joanne Savage and Catherine Johnson found a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER on the road to Ox Head and Stu Tingley discovered a LARK SPARROW at the entrance to the road to the Bear's Den. On Saturday afternoon Jeanne Finn-Allen and Mike Bamford got nice looks from the Grand Manan ferry of an adult LITTLE GULL flying with a Bonaparte's Gull. Stu's LARK SPARROW was still there on Saturday and several of us found an adult and an immature LARK SPARROW together at nearby Southwest Head that were extremely tame and allowed many close-up views and photographs. And on Sunday Stu Tingley saw a PRAIRIE WARBLER somewhere on Grand Manan and later watched an immature YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD fly in and land on a small building at Castalia Marsh. I was able to tag seven MONARCH butterflies at Southwest Head and Beach on Saturday afternoon with the assistance of Jean, Roy LaPointe and the Pike family (including grandsons Nicholas and Maxime). We may have seen two or three others. Stu saw two of the tagged Monarchs still in that area the following day. 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: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 29, 2010. (Sunday) From: Ralph Eldridge <r.eldridge AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:15:16 -0300 At approximately 16:30, Sunday, August 22nd, I was stopped 1/2 way between the Fisherman's and Ferry wharves on Grand Manan. I stood and watched an adult Goldfinch repeated feed a fledgling. The adult was gleening food from across the main road and responding in every expected way to the offspring's pleading. The two were oblivious to human traffic and were within arm's length, at eye level. I have seen a few feedings around my feeders but I've always assumed that the youngsters were usually old enough to be self-feeding before they ventured too far from their nest. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Hawk Flight Forecast From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:48:27 -0300 Flight Forecast for the Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch. August 30, 2010 The very warm air mass parked over the region is producing conditions that are not likely to bring much raptor movement. This should change around the end of the week. Some observations will take place this morning and then they will likely be put on hold until conditions improve. Raptors will almost certainly begin to move in a good numbers as soon as some cool air flows in from the north. I will update this forecast as the week progresses. Flight forecasts will continue to be posted through November. Hawks typically move on days with the following conditions. Sunshine adequate to produce thermals. This is very important. Many birds of prey strongly rely on thermals as part of their flight strategy during migration. Without adequate thermals, birds of prey will need to use updrafts or rely on powered flight as they move south. Winds with a northern component are best. These winds help to push the birds south. In this part of North America, North or Northwest winds tend to drive birds toward the coast. West winds often follow NW winds and can be fair to good. Winds from other directions tend to be poor. Light winds allow strong thermals to form. Moderate winds also allow the formation of thermals and give the birds a little more of a push. The highest number of birds often move under such conditions. Strong winds tend to brake up thermals and bring birds that are riding updrafts. These birds are likely to be to be low and close. Large raptors are less effected by strong winds. Because of this, late season days with strong winds can bring Golden Eagles and other large birds of prey. Winds over 30 km an hour tend to slow or completely shut down flights. Extended periods of precipitation followed by days with clearing skies and North or Northwest winds can produce unusually high numbers of hawks. For more information on hawk movements, consult one of the many books on hawks or talk to me in the field. Education is a big part of this project and I will be happy to share what I know. Please remember that all persons taking part in this project must sign a form releasing the landowner of all liability before visiting the site. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Contact me for more information. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: More Grand Manan birds, including BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, NORTHERN PINTAIL & RED KNOT From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:09:48 -0300 AUGUST 29 Thoroughfare Road Beach 17:50-18:30 4 Great Blue Herons, 50 Canada Geese, Merlin, 124 Black-bellied & 4 Semipalmated Plovers, Lesser & 4 Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Ruddy Turnstones, 6 RED KNOTS, 24 Semipalmated & 9 Least Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher Woodwards Cove: Shore Road 18:35-19:10 female NORTHERN PINTAIL, Northern Flicker, 4 wood-warblers Woodwards Cove: Fishers Pond 19:15-19:25 25+ Semipalmated Plovers, 3 White-rumped, 475 Semipalmated & 3 Least Sandpipers Castalia Marsh: Marsh Road 19:50-21:05 3 Great Blue Herons, 48 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS (left the roost over a 35-minute period until just before 9 pm), juvenile Peregrine Falcon, Black-bellied Plovers & Greater Yellowlegs heard calling; several LITTLE BROWN BATS & one larger bat (species unknown) 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: Malbaie Nord / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:12:12 -0400 Recensement de limicoles que j'ai fait à la Malbaie Nord (île Miscou), le dimanche 22 août 2010 : PLUVIER ARGENTÉ / Black-bellied Plover - 50 PLUVIER SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Plover - 23 CHEVALIER GRIVELÉ / Spotted Sandpiper - 1 GRAND CHEVALIER / Greater Yellowlegs - 13 PETIT CHEVALIER / Lesser Yellowlegs - 14 COURLIS CORLIEU / Whimbrel - 1 BARGE HUDSONIENNE / Hudsonian Godwit - 3 TOURNEPIERRE À COLLIER / Ruddy Turnstone - 7 BÉCASSEAU MAUBÈCHE / Red Knot - 16 BÉCASSEAU SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Sandpiper - 795 BÉCASSEAU MINUSCULE / Least Sandpiper - 16 BÉCASSEAU À CROUPION BLANC / White-rumped Sandpiper - 475 BÉCASSEAU DE BAIRD/ BAIRD'S SANDPIPER - 2 BÉCASSEAU À POITRINE CENDRÉE / Pectoral Sandpiper - 3 BÉCASSIN ROUX / Short-billed Dowitcher - 37 No. d'espèces : 15 No. d'individus : 1456 Durée : 14 h 40 - 16 h 40 Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.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: Malbaie Nord / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/28) From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:12:12 -0400 Recensement de limicoles que j'ai fait à la Malbaie Nord (île Miscou), le samedi 28 août 2010 : PLUVIER ARGENTÉ / Black-bellied Plover - 18 PLUVIER SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Plover - 4 CHEVALIER GRIVELÉ / Spotted Sandpiper - 1 GRAND CHEVALIER / Greater Yellowlegs - 7 PETIT CHEVALIER / Lesser Yellowlegs - 29 COURLIS CORLIEU / Whimbrel - 7 TOURNEPIERRE À COLLIER / Ruddy Turnstone - 4 BÉCASSEAU MAUBÈCHE / Red Knot - 1 BÉCASSEAU SANDERLING / Sanderling - 2 BÉCASSEAU SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Sandpiper - 222 BÉCASSEAU MINUSCULE / Least Sandpiper - 11 BÉCASSEAU À CROUPION BLANC / White-rumped Sandpiper - 7 BÉCASSEAU À POITRINE CENDRÉE / Pectoral Sandpiper - 6 BÉCASSIN ROUX / Short-billed Dowitcher - 2 No. d'espèces : 14 No. d'individus : 321 Durée : 13 h 30 - 15 h Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.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: Malbaie Sud / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:12:12 -0400 Recensement de limicoles que j'ai fait à la Malbaie Sud (île Miscou), le dimanche 22 août 2010 : PLUVIER ARGENTÉ / Black-bellied Plover - 4 PLUVIER SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Plover - 31 GRAND CHEVALIER / Greater Yellowlegs - 1 PETIT CHEVALIER / Lesser Yellowlegs - 2 TOURNENPIERRE À COLLIER / Ruddy Turnstone - 7 BÉCASSEAU SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Sandpiper - 6 BÉCASSEAU MINUSCULE / Least Sandpiper - 7 BÉCASSEAU À CROUPION BLANC / White-rumped Sandpiper - 21 No. d'espèces : 8 No. d'individus : 79 Durée : 12 h 00 - 13 h 00 Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.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: Dune de Maisonnette / Oiseaux de rivage (2010/08/22) From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:12:12 -0400 Recensement de limicoles que j'ai réalisé à la dune de Maisonnette, le dimanche 22 août 2010 : PLUVIER ARGENTÉ / Black-bellied Plover - 24 PLUVIER SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Plover - 164 CHEVALIER GRIVELÉ / Spotted Sandpiper - 2 GRAND CHEVALIER / Greater Yellowlegs - 8 CHEVALIER SEMIPALMÉ / Willet - 3 BARGE HUDSONIENNE / Hudsonian Godwit - 12 TOURNEPIERRE À COLLIER / Ruddy Turnstone - 5 BÉCASSEAU MAUBÈCHE / Red Knot - 1 BÉCASSEAU SEMIPALMÉ / Semipalmated Sandpiper - 64 BÉCASSEAU MINUSCULE / Least Sandpiper - 4 BÉCASSEAU À CROUPION BLANC / White-rumped Sandpiper - 38 BÉCASSIN ROUX / Short-billed Dowitcher - 13 No. d'espèces: 12 No. d'individus: 338 Durée : 9 h 00 - 10 h 00 Marée : basse Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.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: Pélican d'Amérique / American White-Pelican (mise à jour) From: Marcel David <marceldavid AT VIDEOTRON.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:12:12 -0400 Le PÉLICAN D'AMÉRIQUE / American White-Pelican était de retour hier (28 août) à la Malbaie Nord. Marcel David Québec, Québec marceldavid AT videotron.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: Re: Red snake From: "Frederick W. Schueler" <bckcdb AT ISTAR.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:02:52 -0300 On 8/29/2010 8:08 PM, David Christie wrote: > Garter Snakes can be somewhat reddish brown with darker and paler markings but I have never heard of one that would be described as bright red. * I've been hesitating about this; but I've seen quite red Garter snakes from places where they're not "supposed" to be red, and I think a uniformly reddish Maritime Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis palidulla) is the most likely origin of the observation. Maritime Garter Snakes are often described as "pinkish" and a briefly seen snake can have its colour described in more vivid terms than would be used for a less exciting object. I have heard that red (erythristic) Garter Snakes have been found in Nova Scotia. > The only snake we have that does show bright red is the Red-bellied Snake, but it is bright red on the underside and medium brown to gray-brown above. Could it be that turning the compost pile also turned the snake over, so that its underside was prominently exposed before it quickly slithered into hiding? From memory, the ones I have encountered have generally been from about 15 to 35 cm long. * ventrally pale Redbellies have been reported, but in my experience the brightest dorsal colour would be described as "copper," not red, so for a Redbelly to fit this description there's need to be two colour abnormalities on the same individual. Also I'd think the small size of a Redbelly would have excited comment. fred. ======================================================== > How well did your wife see the snake and for how long? > > Sent from my iPod > David Christie, > Mary's Point, N.B. > > On 2010-08-27, at 11:40 AM, ron m wrote: > >> The other day Arlene, my wife was turning the compost bin and came upon a bright red (at first she thought it was a lobster shell) snake with a off white belly. Anyone know what kind it might have been? I've check the internet but came up empty handed. >> >> Ron& Arlene McGurie >> Tower Hill, NB >> (outside St. Stephen) -- ------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad Bishops Mills Natural History Centre - http://pinicola.ca/bmnhc.htm now in the field on the Thirty Years Later Expedition - http://fragileinheritance.org/projects/thirty/thirtyintro.htm Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W (613)258-3107 http://pinicola.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: Re: Red snake From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:08:24 -0300 Ron, Garter Snakes can be somewhat reddish brown with darker and paler markings but I have never heard of one that would be described as bright red. The only snake we have that does show bright red is the Red-bellied Snake, but it is bright red on the underside and medium brown to gray-brown above. Could it be that turning the compost pile also turned the snake over, so that its underside was prominently exposed before it quickly slithered into hiding? From memory, the ones I have encountered have generally been from about 15 to 35 cm long. Two salamanders (red form of Red-backed Salamander and the immature "red eft" stage of the Red-spotted Newt) are largely red but have small legs and are shorter (7-10 cm.). However, I have seen Redbacks around compost piles. Some earthworms can also be quite red but would likely be recognized as a red worm rather than a red snake. How well did your wife see the snake and for how long? Sent from my iPod David Christie, Mary's Point, N.B. On 2010-08-27, at 11:40 AM, ron m wrote: > The other day Arlene, my wife was turning the compost bin and came upon a bright red (at first she thought it was a lobster shell) snake with a off white belly. Anyone know what kind it might have been? I've check the internet but came up empty handed. > > Ron & Arlene McGurie > Tower Hill, NB > (outside St. Stephen) > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Ingalls Head birds, inc. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:17:08 -0300 AUGUST 29 Ingalls Head (north of Marine Centre) 11:00-11:45 Great Blue Heron, 38 Canada Geese, 5 Common Eiders, 30 Semipalmated Plovers, adult BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, 8 White-rumped, 98 Semipalmated & 3 Least Sandpipers Ingalls Head (south of Ferry Terminal) 11:45-12:45 6 Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, 50 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 White-rumped, 68 Semipalmated & 34 Least Sandpipers This was the first day that I saw fresh-plumaged juvenile SESA in any numbers, but still less than 10% of the total; also lots of SPPL juveniles 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: ident needed if possible From: Irene Doyle <snobunting AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:12:31 +0000 Hi I've placed a few new pictures in my "Nature" folder at Webshots if any of you care to visit and help with the identity of the last six. One is of a sort of Pigeon found near Cross point a few weeks ago. One is of what use to be the Atholville/Tide Head marsh, its so grown over that its now a field even at high tide. Three of flowers I'm not familiar with. and one of a skull and bones that are lying on the mud at Eel River. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2785871850037817294NZFiNl Irene -------------------------------------------------------- When you have a minute check out my websites http://www.restigouche.net http://www.atholville.net http://www.restigouche.net/mysite http://stfidele.restigouche.net http://www.pierredamours.com http://www.xcski-nb.ca http://johanne.restigouche.net http://www.ristigouchesudest.ca http://www.irene-doyle-family.restigouche.net http://genealogy.restigouche.net http://gloucester.restigouche.net NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Philadelphia Vireos and Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:43:33 -0300 Here on Kerrs Ridge, we are lucky to have a very good spot for migrant songbirds within 30 meters of our house. This morning, I checked this spot. A couple of good birds were found. At least one Philadelphia Vireo(PHVI) was seen in a feeding flock of 10 Warbler species, 3 species of Vireo, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a young Lincoln's Sparrow, and some more common birds. This spot is along an old wind-brake next to our home that has produced Philadelphia's during some previous years. Earlier this month, another one was observed a couple hundred meters away. It seems that these birds like to stop on this little ridge-top. Todd Watts Bocabec, 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: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE AUGUST 29, 2010. (Sunday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:19:00 -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, [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962] contact our President, John Foster, at 384-7212 or our Vice- President, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Sunday morning, August 29, 2010. **An update on the mature SANDHILL CRANE [Grue du Canada] that has been so faithful to the Barachois area this summer. I heard from several people in that area the past few days and it is still very much present and moving about the area. Helena and Roy Burke comment they watched it all day on Saturday keeping to the school grounds and behind the Caisse Populaire in Barachois. It did not seem to shy away from humans quickly. They noted it was within 20 metres from children and it did not get alarmed until they started running towards it. They then spotted it in the shade of a maple tree beside the Caisse Populaire while there was a soccer tournament going on with approximately 200 people attending. **Dave Christie recently reported a fledgling AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] begging food from adults around his feeders which is not unexpected at this time of year from this late-nesting species. I had a similar scenario around my own feeders on Saturday, an apparent AMERICAN GOLDFINCH fledgling with some downy feathering remaining was spotted, and the fledgling was completely ignored by the complement of adults, the same as David reported. These two similar incidents made me wonder if it may not be normal behaviour among AMERICAN GOLDFINCH adults to not feed their young once they have fledged unlike many other species. The juvenile AMERICAN GOLDFINCH is very similar in appearance to the female and could easily go unnoticed if it were not for the remnant downy feathers. Maybe I'll have to retract that observation comment as I saw a female AMERICAN GOLDFINCH feeding what I assumed to be a juvenile fledgling one Sunday morning. 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: Stilt Sandpiper in Saint John - Aug 28 2010 From: Gilles Belliveau <gilles.belliveau AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:04:00 -0300 I was birding in the Saint John area today and found a STILT SANDPIPER (Bécasseau à échasses) at Saints Rest Marsh. It was in the large pond in the marsh (near the parking lot at the entrance to Taylors Island) and was associating with a small group of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (Pluvier argenté). Also somewhat noteworthy was the number of PHILADELPHIA VIREOS (Viréo de Philadelphie) encountered. I saw 7 on the Black Beach Road (2+3+2) and 2 more on the Burchill Rd (just before Coleson Cove). That's the most Philadelphia Vireos I've ever encountered in a single day (actually, that's probably more than I usually encounter in a year) Gilles Belliveau Noonan (Fredericton area) 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: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:13:28 -0300 There are many such private efforts now underway throughout the province, from the Maine-NB border at St. Stephen north to Perth-Andover, and all the way south and east to Kent county. The situation is similar to that of the feral Ring-necked Pheasant, which is annually and/or constantly stocked here, else it could not survive our winters. Most all of these birds are acquired in Ontario as pullets/eggs, and raised and released. NB DNR refused a proposal from wild turkey fans to officially sanction their release, but they're doing it anyway. I believe the maximum fine upon conviction for releasing non-native game here is only $3000. ============================= ---- Paul Clark wrote: > This summer I had an interesting conversation with one of cottage neighbours n Brockway. He had been approached by a gentleman asking if he would agree to having some wild turkeys stocked on his property. Apparantly, there is a private program to introduce wild turkeys in New Brunswick. > > Several of my neighbours in Brockway have seen turkeys in the past few years. > > Paul Clark > > 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: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick From: richard nelson <rnelson AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:43:02 -0300 There is a young fellow in my community who is raising wild turkeys and releasing them to the wild. Ngaire Nelson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Clark" To: Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 12:26 PM Subject: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick > This summer I had an interesting conversation with one of cottage > neighbours n Brockway. He had been approached by a gentleman asking if he > would agree to having some wild turkeys stocked on his property. > Apparantly, there is a private program to introduce wild turkeys in New > Brunswick. > > Several of my neighbours in Brockway have seen turkeys in the past few > years. > > Paul Clark > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3099 - Release Date: 08/28/10 03:34:00 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:00:19 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts. August 28, 2010 Osprey 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Broad-winged Hawk 8 Unidentified Raptor 1 Observation Period: 9:00AM-1:00PM Weather: Sunny skies with light winds generally from the NW Notes: A very slow day despite good conditions. We might have to wait until the next front to see significant movement. The fewer the birds we see in August, the more we are likely to see in September. Quite a few raptors were hanging around the mountain. These birds included 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 American Kestrel(male and female), 1 Merlin, 1 Broad-winged Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagle and several Turkey Vulture. Highlights of the day: Close birds included male and female American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and a Turkey Vulture that repeatedly came close enough to hear it's wings flap. Non-raptors: Nothing of note. Tomorrow: SW winds No observations are planned. Monday could bring a return of NW winds and a resumption of observations. Winds will likely be very light. More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:46:42 -0300 AUGUST 27 Grand Harbour (mid tide) 17:30-18:30 180 Canada Geese, 12 Blue-winged Teal (the most I have seen together on Grand Manan), 103 Black-bellied Plovers, Lesser & 8 Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, 29 Semipalmated & 17 Least Sandpipers, Ruby-throated Hummingbird Woodwards Cove 19:00-19:05 16 Semipalmated Plovers, 105 Semipalmated Sandpipers AUGUST 28 Ingalls Head 07:45-08:00 4 Great Blue Herons, Spotted Sandpiper White Head Ferry 08:00-08:30 29 Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, 60 Common Eiders, female Red-breasted Merganser, female Merlin, 2 Whimbrels, adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (heading to Seal Cove) White Head Island 08:30-10:05 8 Double-crested Cormorants, 12 Great Blue Herons, 22 Canada Geese, 10 Common Eiders, immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK, Merlin, 2 Black-bellied & 11 Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Whimbrel, Least & 104 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Winter Wren, Tennessee Warbler, 18 Common Grackles White Head Ferry 10:30-11:00 29 Double-crested Cormorants, 10 Canada Geese, 49 Common Eiders, adult Bald Eagle, Semipalmated & 3 Black-bellied Plovers, 6 Whimbrels, 3 Sanderlings, 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 4 Black Guillemots; also a brilliant orange ORANGE SULPHUR butterfly 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: birds etc. in Sackville Waterfowl Park From: Popma <popma AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:25:31 -0300 On a brief visit to the park this morning I observed there were a whack of YELLOWLEGS and many ducks besides. I stopped counting Yellowlegs at 200 and started looking for something else but only found 1 DOWITCHER and 1 SPOTTIE. Almost all of the shorebirds were roosting on the small islets along the long boardwalk (bring a chair if you want to stop to study them...there are no human resting places anymore there and the birds are only about 25' away). All the ducks were present: MALLARD/BLACKS, GADWALL, RING-NECKED, BLUE and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, A. WIDGEON, N. SHOVELLER, 1 WOOD DUCK, and many young I could not identify. Besides those species, also present were: KINGFISHER, RING-BILLED GULLS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, PIED-BILLED GREBE, etc. Many years ago Stu Tingley vainly tried to teach me (and others more successfully) the local dragonflies and sadly I only still know the Canada Darners, but there were many others present in the park besides those. 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: Wild Turkeys in Western New Brunswick From: Paul Clark <pclark AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:26:23 -0300 This summer I had an interesting conversation with one of cottage neighbours n Brockway. He had been approached by a gentleman asking if he would agree to having some wild turkeys stocked on his property. Apparantly, there is a private program to introduce wild turkeys in New Brunswick. Several of my neighbours in Brockway have seen turkeys in the past few years. Paul Clark 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, August 28, 2010 (Saturday) From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:01:19 -0300 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : David Christie Info Line # : 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS) 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 [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], contact our president John Foster at 384-7212 or vice-president Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Saturday morning, August 28, 2010 ** BALD-FACED HORNET [Guêpe à taches blanches] nests are really starting to swell in size at the moment. Gabriel Gallant and Tanya Carrier report a nest in a tree at eye level. The hornets don't appear to be aggressive at all so far, seeming quite used to Gabriel and Tanya going near to watch them going about their housekeeping. ** It's that time of year when RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri à gorge rubis] attendance at feeders begins to fluctuate. Yolande LeBlanc recently said that her hummingbird troop seemed to have moved on, with suddenly no clients for a day. However, the next day, Friday, two individuals came by the yard, both using flowers as a nectar source and not coming to the feeders, suggesting birds in migration. On Saturday, a few more came by, this time checking out the feeders, as well as flowers. Yoland saysthat she did note one juvenile with some red spotting on the throat, suggesting that it's a male. [Transcriber's note: At Mary's Point, we are experiencing reduced visitation at hummingbird feeders but on Thursday there were still at least 6 individuals. I haven't noticed an adult male since Aug. 19. -- DSC] ** It's that time of year when we often see GULLS and COMMON NIGHTHAWKS [Engoulevent d'Amérique] hawking for insects, especially swarms of ants. Jules Cormier noted groups of gulls three times this week while he was driving between Moncton and Memramcook, as they swooped and cavorted in groups foraging on flying insects. Jules remarks that he is always surprised by their flying skills to forage as they do. Jules also reports that he has noticed Common Nighthawks foraging in mid day, as they migrate, noting them particularly in the Cormiers Cove area, towards Taylor Village. Also, as others are noting, Jules is noticing more hawk movement, but says that he has not seen an EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] in his area for the past month like he did earlier in the summer. [Transcriber's note: I also haven't seen bluebirds this month at Hopewell Hill, where three pairs were nesting earlier in summer. However, a lone female has been along Harvey Cross Road, in Harvey, at least Aug. 16-26. -- DSC] ** This week's sky at a glance. On Wednesday, September 1, the MOON [Lune] will go into its last quarter phase, rising at midnight and setting at noon. This week's planet roundup: MERCURY [Mercure] is hidden in the glare of the sun. VENUS [Vénus], though bright at magnitude -4.4, is to the right or upper right of Venus. MARS, vastly dimmer at magnitude +1.5, is a little to the upper right of Venus. SATURN has moved far off the right or lower right of Venus and may be getting lost by now. Binoculars help if you're looking for Mars and Saturn. JUPITER, at a bright magnitude -2.9, rises in twilight and is well up in the ESE by late evening; it's the brightest star-like point in the night sky and is highest in the south around 3 a.m. The bright moon and Jupiter put on a nice show in the ESE last night around 10:30 p.m. 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: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Aug 21-27, 2010 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:48:10 -0300 From Birdeast here are parts of Linda Woodard's transcript of the Maine Audubon Bird Alert. The entire transcript can be accessed at , and . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert Reporting Period: August 21-27, 2010 Area: State of Maine Compilers: Eric Hynes, Stella Walsh Of Special Note An apparent WHITE-CHINNED PETREL was photographed on August 24. See the RBA Slideshow at: http://www.maineaudubon.org/nature/birdalert.shtml to view images. Other standouts recently include: CORY'S SHEARWATER, LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, TRICOLORED HERON, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, MARBLED GODWIT, WESTERN SANDPIPER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, PARASITIC JAEGER, FORSTER'S TERN, SEDGE WREN, LARK SPARROW, and DICKCISSEL. Shorebird migration continues to dominate the reports this week. COMMON NIGHTHAWK migration is being noted throughout the state and sightings of PEREGRINE FALCONS remain widespread along the coast. Tree Swallows are staging in big numbers along the southern coast. Gulf of Maine During a whale watch cruise out of Bar Harbor on August 24, a Procellaria petrel was found on the water among Great Shearwaters. Initial comments on the photographs all point to WHITE-CHINNED PETREL which would be the first for Maine and only the fourth for North America. It has not been seen on subsequent outings. On August 27, the Bar Harbor whale watch in the morning came across two SOUTH POLAR SKUAS, a PARASITIC JAEGER, RED and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS. Once again, DICKCISSELS are being found on Monhegan this week. Seawatching recently from Monhegan has produced the four shearwater species, including CORY'S, and multiple PARASITIC JAEGERS. [western areas omitted] Central Maine A SEDGE WREN was seen in a marsh in Orrington on August 25. Downeast PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were detected among migrant flocks along the coast in several locations this week. The South Lubec mudflats continue to draw an impressive number and diversity of shorebirds. One to two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were noted in the last couple of days. An immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued on Clark Ledge in Eastport through August 22. The Burn Road, off Route 1 north of Topsfield, produced BOREAL CHICKADEES, a pair of BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, and a male SPRUCE GROUSE at mile 8 and another at mile 6.5. Northern Maine Tough to find at inland locations, up to nine species of shorebirds have been frequenting the muddy edge of Collins Pond in Caribou. For full details, check out Bill Sheehan's excellent summary at www.northernmainebirds.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: Tomorrow at the Hawk Watch From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:42:38 -0300 Sorry, forgot to mention in my report that observations will not run past mid-afternoon on Saturday, August 28. I have a wedding to attend. Late afternoon will very likely be slow anyway. Todd Watts Kerrs Ridge, 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: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:16:10 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts. August 27, 2010 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 Coopers Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 3 American Kestrel 1 Unidentified Falcon 1 Unidentified Raptor 1 Total 20 Observation Period: 8:45AM-3:00PM Weather: Early sun, then clouds followed by clouds and sun with moderately strong winds generally from the NW. Notes: Conditions were good, but the birds didn't move. This was one of those days that left me shaking my head and wondering why the hawks didn't show. It is a little early, but I feel that we still should have seen many more hawks than we did. Broad-winged Hawk counts were particularly low. A few dozen were expected. Highlights of the day: The day did have some highlights. A resident American Kestrel(male) tried to drive away the owl. As usual this bird put on a show. The rest of his family seems to have moved on. A couple of Sharp-shins came in close. Osprey and Turkey Vultures were close birds. And we had another Cooper's Hawk. It looks like it might be a good year for them. I have seen at least 2 already. On Tuesday, one was counted. Then about an hour later, another one flew past. I called the second an Unidentified Accipiter, but I am pretty sure that it was a Cooper's. On that day, Cadillac Mt. also had 2. It is possible that we have one hanging around the area. A very Cooper's looking bird briefly hunted and perched near the watch today. Non-raptors: Very little non-raptor movement was detected. This was another surprise. I left home a little early expecting to see migrants on the way to the watch. Relatively few were seen. Tomorrow: Sun some clouds with light west winds. The day has good potential. Broad-wings tend to move when the winds are fairly light. Morning or very early afternoon will likely be best. Counts will start at 9:00AM. More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: Boat trip out of Seal Cove & Grand Harbour birds From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:40:43 -0300 August 27 Bay of Fundy from Seal Cove 07:45-13:15 Common Loon, NORTHERN FULMAR, 75 Greater & 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 125+ Wilson's & 55+ Leach's Storm-Petrels (far more well off the boat), 21 Northern Gannets, 4 Double-crested Cormorants, male NORTHERN HARRIER (well out to sea), Spotted Sandpiper, Sanderling, 365+ Red & 85+ Red-necked Phalaropes, first BLACK TERN of fall, light adult PARASITIC JAEGER, 1st-year LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (posed for photos next to 1st-year GBBG), 2 Common Murres, 4 Razorbills, 14 Black Guillemots; 10 Atlantic Puffins Grand Harbour 14:00-14:15 98 Canada Geese, 45 Semipalmated Plovers, 9 Greater Yellowlegs, 73 Semipalmated & 6 Least Sandpipers, 2 Barn Swallows (earlier) 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: Re: question about dead Gannets From: "Frederick W. Schueler" <bckcdb AT ISTAR.CA> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:42:14 -0300 On 8/24/2010 9:29 PM, Brian Dalzell wrote: > Probably lead poisoning, an annual occurrence along Northumberland Strait. * that seems to be the case. The one depicted at http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/2010/08/gannet.html was evidently killed, despite the lack of external trauma, by a rifle shot to the neck at the base of the skull. The other one I brought back had its belly opened by scavengers (Gulls, Ravens, etc) and may have had more damage to the lower spine than scavengers could have been expected to inflict. Both have been prepared as specimens for the New Brunswick Museum, which doesn't have many Gannets from Northumberland Strait. fred. ============================================================== > ======================= > > ---- "Frederick W. Schueler" wrote: >> New Brunswickers, >> >> First. I've got to apologize for having been in New Brunswick since 9 >> August without posting any observations (roadside invasive plants, >> Jacquet river Gorge Protected Area bioblitz, etc.) to the list. I've >> had, and still have problems sending e-mail. >> >> Aleta's paintings (now mostly the property of the people of New >> Brunswick, in right of the NBM) give an idea of the bioblitz - see >> http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/2010/08/rattlesnake-plantain.html >> and earlier posts to her painting blog. >> >> We're now at our traditional campsite just north of Cap Lumiere, south >> of Kouchibouguac Park, with the lights on the wind turbines on PEI >> glinting across Northumberland Strait. After being totally >> inland-oriented during the bioblitz, we're now living on a beach, with >> a bog behind the dunes, and a salt marsh further out. I'm collecting >> Birches (hybrids between Grey& Paper) for Clay Shearer who wants to >> work on hybridization between the native species and the European >> Betula pendula. I'm also waypointing and collecting Phragmites, which >> J-F Desroches and I waypointed here in 2001, and which, in New >> Brunswick are almost all the native "subspecies" (except the invasive >> stand near Chatham which I reported to the list in 2001, and which is >> now 2 stands). Here I'm also noticing nutrient influxes into the dunes >> on the toilet-papering grounds near the parking area, and wondering >> about possibly invasive seaweeds, and whether they're called "Sea >> Snot" or something else. >> >> BUT TO GET BACK TO THE SUBJECT LINE: today I walked 3 km of the beach >> north of our camp and found 3 freshly dead shining white adult Gannets >> washed up on the beach. I saw one live Gannet fishing offshore. I >> wonder how unusual this rate of mortality is? I know it's after the >> breeding season, and adults might be stressed, but this seems like a >> lot of mortality. >> >> fred. >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> Frederick W. Schueler& Aleta Karstad >> Bishops Mills Natural History Centre - http://pinicola.ca/bmnhc.htm >> Thirty Years Later Expedition - >> http://fragileinheritance.org/projects/thirty/thirtyintro.htm >> Longterm ecological monitoring - http://fragileinheritance.org/ >> Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ >> http://www.doingnaturalhistory.com/ >> http://quietcuratorialtime.blogspot.com/ >> RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 >> on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W >> (613)258-3107 http://pinicola.ca/ >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> 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: Red snake From: Steeve Miousse <s_miousse AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:47 -0300 Hi Ron, Went htrough my field guide on Maritime Reptiles and probably a Common Gartersnake, or possible Northern Watersnake? More details would be needed to help you identify this reptilian (lenght, streaks on the back and flanks, spots or rings around the body, pictures and habitat description)? Theses details would help for an ID. Good luck with ID, Steeve Miousse Lamèque island NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: clarification From: Irene Doyle <snobunting AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:55:27 +0000 Just one clarification on Margaret's email, what I told her was that I had read that if you see one of those caterpillars off their plant and walking around, they are on their way to making their cocoon (or what they call pupate I think) so if you want to photograph it not "pick it up" do it right away cause if you wait they will be in their cocoon real soon. Irene -------------------------------------------------------- When you have a minute check out my websites http://www.restigouche.net http://www.atholville.net http://www.restigouche.net/mysite http://stfidele.restigouche.net http://www.pierredamours.com http://www.xcski-nb.ca http://johanne.restigouche.net http://www.ristigouchesudest.ca http://www.irene-doyle-family.restigouche.net http://genealogy.restigouche.net http://gloucester.restigouche.net NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Red snake From: ron m <ron_m321 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:40:41 -0700 The other day Arlene, my wife was turning the compost bin and came upon a bright red (at first she thought it was a lobster shell) snake with a off white belly.  Anyone know what kind it might have been?  I've check the internet but came up empty handed.   Ron & Arlene McGurie Tower Hill, NB (outside St. Stephen) 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 AUGUST 27, 2010. (Friday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:34:50 -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, [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962] contact our President, John Foster, at 384-7212 or our Vice- President, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Friday morning, August 27, 2010. **After the period of dry weather AMPHIBIANS became active with the showers on Thursday. Dave Christie and Mary Majka spotted a number of amphibians on the road as they traveled from Riverview towards Mary's Point on Thursday evening. They especially noted the activity on the Niagara Road noting approximately 50 frogs there, assuming them to be young LEOPARD FROGS or SPRING PEEPERS and did note one particularly large one that may have been either a large GREEN FROG or a BULLFROG. They did note approximately 20 more on Route 114 between the Niagara Road and Hillsborough then several scattered individuals between Hillsborough and lower Albert County. Unfortunately approximately half of what they saw had been hit and killed by vehicle traffic, a major problem for amphibians on nights when big movements occur. ** It is that time of year when the WASPS build up in greater numbers. We have many species of wasps, some very aggressive and many not aggressive at all. One large interesting one is the large female PELECINID WASP with its extremely long curled abdomen and swollen hind "ankle". Georges Brun sent a photo of one he encountered recently and I as well photographed one a few days ago. Georges noted his in a conifer tree among the needles, I noted mine ob the leaf of a deciduous tree. In earlier summer a researcher with MOTHS, Kenneth Strothkamp at Lewis Clarke University in Portland Oregon asked me if it would be possible to to get eggs or adults of the SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH to them as he wanted to grow them out and do DNA comparisons with the WESTERN SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH and caterpillars. The eastern compliment of this species shows a striking yellow and black coloration while the western counterpart shows reddish-orange. Strothkamp is doing work to see if these are actually different species or subspecies. After some hurdles with the USA Department of Agriculture some adults and eggs were successfully couriered to Strothkamp. They are now grown into sizable caterpillars and photos of the two side by side are identical except for the colour difference. I kept some and let the eggs hatch and reared them. They prefer Balsam Poplar and the leaves of a few nearby city-planted Eastern Cottonwood trees. One of mine has already grown into a cocoon it made from its body hairs to pupate. It surely is becoming caterpillar season in the wild in NB and I have received many caterpillar photos, one from Bob Betts was indeed a SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH caterpillar he recently spotted in Caissie Cape. 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: luna moth or POLYPHEMUS MOTH From: Margaret Doyle <judo AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:03:14 -0300 Hello I was on the lower Kedgwick River last Friday and Saturday fishing Salmon and on the side of the river I noticed a very nice caterpillar a flashy green one and a big one , it was right on the rocks beside the River and just about 2 inches it was going to be a lunch for the fish if they eat that so I picked it up and put it in my canoe and it went up my fishing line when we were paddling down the river and after a while I did not see it at all . When we arrived where someone was picking us up. I said if someone see a big caterpillar in a beatifull flashy green please give it to me and we did not see it . about 1/2 hour after that we arrived at the camp . I saw my caterpillar , ha ha it was on me comming up to my face on my T shirt so I put it in a foam cup and I put a foil on it so I could take other photos the next day and I put a few twigs in it and I open the cover the next morning and it had turned in to a cocoon . I just looked in my butterfly book and I was kind of supprised to see it was a LUNA MOTH caterpillar but now I saw an other caterpillar in the book and the head or face is brown not green. it is not the first time I pick this kind up and it always made a cocoon as soon as I picked it up. and Irene just told me that they say that when you see one to pick it up right away. so I think it is a Polyphemus moth a big big brownish moth that we dont see very often so now will it turn into a moth next spring what do I do with it do I put it in the shead in the cold for the winter or what. I saw one of the smallest frogs on the side of the river also , it was about 1/2 inch long, realy it was the smallest one ever I picked it up and it jumped in the canoe but I put it back on the ground. we saw about 3 or 4 BALD EAGLES on the way down the river , mature and immature ones, one would have made a beatifull photo on the top of the tall tree but with not to much water in the River I did not bring my camera with me incase we would upset with the canoe, The fruits this year is just wanderfull in my back yard my Black berry bushes are full , my black current were full , my apple trees were also full, my grape vines are full but my yellow plum trees, my blue plum trees, my appricot tree, my pear trees were not succesfull this year at all did anyone had the same problem as I had this year with those kind of fruit trees the trees were full of blossoms but after no fruits. the ash trees are realy full of red berries this year also. A report from the North Margaret Doyle Campbellton 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 AUGUST 26, 2010. (Thursday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:44:52 -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, [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962] contact our President, John Foster, at 384-7212 or our Vice- President, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://naturemoncton.org . Thursday morning, August 26, 2010. **A significant siting for Dave Christie and Mary Majka on Wednesday morning. Five TURKEY VULTURES [Urubu à tête rouge] flew over their Mary's Point yard. They could clearly see two of the five were juvenile birds with gray heads and neat-appearing wing feathers while two others were clearly adult birds with red heads and moulting wing feathers. Dave could not see the fifth bird well enough to call it due to sun glare. This is the first time Dave has seen immature birds in August to make the possibility of their being locally reared birds, as this is the time they would be expected to leave the nest. In 2009 Dave saw a couple of immature TURKEY VULTURES in November and one in September of 2008, however it was just as possible that these juvenile birds could have flown in from elsewhere as well as being locally bred birds. Definitely something for us all to watch for when spotting TURKEY VULTURES in the area at the moment, remembering of course that the much more uncommon BLACK VULTURE [Urubu noir] does have a gray head as an adult and juvenile. 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: Hawk Flight Forecast From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:10:38 -0300 Flight Forecast for the Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch. August 26, 2010 The low pressure currently over the area will pull away later today leaving behind a ridge of high pressure. Several days of sunshine with W to NW winds are expected. Hawk movement seems likely through the period. Friday looks to be the best of these days. Conditions for the weekend are likely to be fair to good. Observations will resume later today or early tomorrow. I will update this forecast as the week progresses. Flight forecasts will continue to be posted through November. Hawks typically move on days with the following conditions. Sunshine adequate to produce thermals. This is very important. Many birds of prey strongly rely on thermals as part of their flight strategy during migration. Without adequate thermals, birds of prey will need to use updrafts or rely on powered flight as they move south. Powered flight is less efficient than utilizing the lift created by thermals and updrafts.. Winds with a northern component are best. These winds help to push the birds south. In this part of North America, North or Northwest winds tend to drive birds toward the coast. West winds often follow NW winds and can be fair to good. Winds from other directions tend to be poor. Light winds allow strong thermals to form. Moderate winds also allow the formation of thermals and give the birds a little more of a push. The highest number of birds often move under such conditions. Strong winds tend to brake up thermals and bring birds that are riding updrafts. These birds are likely to be to be low and close. Large raptors are less effected by strong winds. Because of this, late season days with strong winds can bring Golden Eagles and other large birds of prey. Winds over 30 km an hour tend to slow or completely shut down flights. Extended periods of precipitation followed by days with clearing skies and North or Northwest winds can produce unusually high numbers of hawks. For more information on hawk movements, consult one of the many books on hawks or talk to me in the field. Education is a big part of this project and I will be happy to share what i know. Please remember that all persons taking part in this project must sign a form releasing the landowner of all liability before visiting the site. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Contact me for more information. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.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: White-chinned Petrel From: Durlan & Sally <nateem AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:51:36 -0300 There was a white-chinned petrel photographed off Bar Harbor Maine. If you follow the post that Todd Watts sent out tonight on Maine birds and click on the blog it will take you to a blog by Derek Lovitch. Scroll down the page until you find entry 1 of 622 next. Click next and you will find amazing photo's and comments. Sure makes Saturday sound more interesting. 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: Fwd: Eastport/Lubec/Campobello (shorebirds inc Baird's, gulls inc. Sabines, and seabirds), 8/22-24 From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:48:16 -0300 This report will likely be of interest to NB birders. Todd Watts Bocabec, NB Begin forwarded message: > From: Derek and Jeannette Lovitch > Date: August 25, 2010 5:18:10 PM ADT > To: Maine-birds , Julie Suchecki > > Subject: [Maine-birds] Eastport/Lubec/Campobello (shorebirds inc > Baird's, gulls inc. Sabines, and seabirds), 8/22-24 > > Hi all, > With apologies for yet another post today. . . still catching up > from a few days away . . . > > Jeannette and I escaped for a few days of birding Downeast Sunday > through Tuesday. A complete rundown including complete seawatch > counts, and a bunch of photos (especially Jeannette's awesome > shearwater shots), are on my blog at: > http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=20847 > > But, for now, here are some of the numerous highlights: > 8/22 - Quoddy Region Waters from Easport through Head Harbor > Passage, New Brunswick via boat: > 1500 Bonaparte's Gulls > 400 Great Shearwaters > 200 Black-legged Kittiwakes > 125 Great Cormorant > 100++ Harbor Porpoise > 4-5 Fin Whales > 1 Manx Shearwater > 1 light morph adult Pomarine Jaeger > 1 adult LITTLE GULL > 1 molting adult SABINE'S GULL > 1 1st-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull (Clark Ledge, Eastport). > > 8/23 - West Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec: > 150+ Black-legged Kittiwakes > > 8/23 - East Quoddy Head Light seawatch, Campobello Island, NB (2hrs) > 813+ Great Shearwater > 1000+ Bonaparte's Gull > 163+ Sooty Shearwaters > 1 Manx Shearwater > 1 subadult light morph Parasitic Jaeger > > 8/23 - Lubec Bar/Flats (outgoing tide in pm): > 2 juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS > > 8/24 - Lubec Bar/Flats (incoming tide in am): > ~1300 Semipalmated Sandpipers > ~500 Least Sandpipers > 121 Black-bellied Plovers > 7 Short-billed Dowitchers (same 7 birds on all three visits over two > days) > 2 Peregrine Falcons (wreacking havoc on all three of our visits here) > 2 juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS > 1 Semipalmated Plover !? > > East Quoddy Head seawatch, 9:35 am to 11;20 am: > 4,000-5000 Bonaparte's Gulls > ~600 Great Shearwaters (three apparently trapped in Herring weir) > ~100 Sooty Shearwaters > 2 adult LITTLE GULLS > 1 juvenile Laughing Gull > 1 Manx Shearwater > > I love it up/down there!!! > > -Derek > > ------------------ > Jeannette and Derek Lovitch > Freeport Wild Bird Supply > 541 Route One, Suite 10 > Freeport, ME 04032 > Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069 > www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com > > > -- > Maine birds mailing list > maine-birds AT googlegroups.com > http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds 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. POMARINE JAEGER, WARBLING VIREO, PRAIRIE WARBLER, DICKCISSEL, possible LITTLE STINT From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:05:22 -0300 AUGUST 22 Ingalls Head 08:20-09:45 27 Canada Geese, 23 Common Eiders, 173 Semipalmated Plovers, 6 Spotted, 8 White-rumped, 322 Semipalmated & 23 Least Sandpipers, first male DICKCISSEL of fall Ox Head 09:45-10:25 first WARBLING VIREO of fall, 5 wood-warblers AUGUST 23 Long Eddy Point 07:50-09:20 45 Greater & 8+ Sooty Shearwaters, 2 adult Northern Gannets, 3 Double-crested Cormorants, 12 Common Eiders, 2+ Black-legged Kittiwakes, Ring-billed Gull, Alder Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, 4 wood-warblers, Red-winged Blackbird Whistle Road 09:25-09:45 3+ Eastern Kingbirds, 85+ Cedar Waxwings Castalia Marsh 10:00-11:25 3 Great Blue Herons, 40+ Common Eiders, juvenile Northern Harrier, 58 Black-bellied & 16 Semipalmated Plovers, Lesser & 6 Greater Yellowlegs, Whimbrel (+2 others reported),moulting adult Red Knot, 17 Semipalmated & 24+ Least Sandpipers, 2+ Nelson's Sparrows Anchorage PP & Grand Manan Bird Sanctuary 12:05-14:25 8+ Double-crested Cormorants, 159 Canada Geese, 5 American Black Ducks, 2 female Mallards, 10+ American Wigeons, female NORTHERN PINTAILxAMERICAN WIGEON (shape and speculum like female NOPI, head shape, bill & overall plumage like AMWI), 5 Blue-winged & 3 Green-winged Teals, 16 Common Eiders, 7 Ring-necked Ducks, 3 wopod-warblers, inc. adult Cape May Warbler Grand Harbour 14:45-15:30 110 Black-bellied & 5+ Semipalmated Plovers, 2+ Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstone, White-rumped, 75 Semipalmated & 17 Least Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher AUGUST 24 North Head 06:35-07:30 38 Double-crested Cormorants, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Northern Flickers (first of fall), immature female PRAIRIE WARBLER Ingalls Head 08:35-09:15 25 Semipalmated Plovers, Spotted, 2 White-rumped, 25 Semipalmated & 7 Least Sandpipers White Head Ferry 09:15-09:45 immature Great & 9 Double-crested Cormorants, 11 Common Eiders, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, Whimbrel, White-rumped & 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers, Black Guillemot White Head I: Langmaid Cove & Dumpsite 10:00-12:10 Great & 12+ Double-crested Cormorants, Least & Alder Flycatchers, 2+ Boreal Chickadees, 8 wood-warblers, inc. Bay-breasted Warbler White Head I: Gull Cove 12:15-13:25 adult Bald Eagle, 7+ Semipalmated Plovers, 9+ Semipalmated & 4 Least Sandpipers, possible moulting adult LITTLE STINT (well seen at close range but bird was not still enough to be photographed; small, general size and plumage like Least Sandpiper but bill very short and straight, legs dark and breast and flanks lacking obvious streaking; easy to pick out with SESA, but not so easy to find with LESA) White Head I: Marsh & Flats 13:30-14:20 5 Great Blue Herons, 14 Black-bellied & 10 Semipalmated Plovers, Least & 12 Semipalmated Sandp[ipers White Head I: Village 14:30-14:50 9 Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Common Eiders, 6 Semipalmated Plovers, 8 Least Sandpipers White Head Ferry 15:00-15:30 immature Great & 6 Double-crested Cormorants, 39 Common Eiders, 6 Semipalmated Plovers, Black Guillemot AUGUST 25 Grand Manan Basin north & east of North Head 07:45-12:45 460+ Greater & 45+ Sooty Shearwaters, Leach's & 14+ Wilson's Storm-Petrels, 10 Northern Gannets, 3 Great & 62 Double-crested Cormorants, adult & immature Bald Eagles, 20+ Red-necked Phalaropes, 35+ Black-legged Kittiwakes, 23+ Bonaparte's Gulls, 2 Common Murres, 14+ Razorbills, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin Woodwards Cove 14:20 juvenile female Peregrine Falcon Seal Cove 15:20-16:15 2 Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpiper, 5 Short-billed Dowitchers, juvenile Black Guillemot 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: Nighthawks From: John Chardine <chardine AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:59:19 -0300 While driving back from Saint John on 19 August, I encountered a large group of Common Nighthawks foraging over the Trans Canada Highway outside of Sussex. Over a distance of about 5 km I count about 40 individuals. ------------------------------------------------- John Chardine 101 Salem Street Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 4K2 Canada (+1) 506 536 0119 www.rissaphoto.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: Black Tern and lots of Eagles at Kouchibouguac National Park From: Mike LeBlanc <cue AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:51:23 -0300 Hi everyone, i have been leading voyageur canoe outings at Kouchibouguac National Park fo rthe last 11 years and it is the best activity I do in the park. I have seen many things throughout the years but today. At our arrival at Blacklands Gully on Tern Island #3 there was 8 Blald Eagles on the sand bar and 2 flying over head. I never saw 10 eagles at one spot together in the park. WOW! Saw 15 in all during the Outing. 3 Ospreys and 1 northern Harrier. Also I saw for the first time this year a Black Tern on one of the chanel markers near the Tern Islands. Some of you might remember that a few years ago, Shawn Craik had confirmed my suspission of Black Terns nesting in kouchibouguac. also saw many Great Blue Herons, 300+ Grey Seals and lots and lots of shorebirds. Awesome outing NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Hawk Watch Volunteers Needed From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:31:21 -0300 There is still a major need for volunteer observers at the hawk watch. Many people have shown interest and there is much support, but we certainly could use more eyes. I can handle identifying and counting the raptors, but could use some help spotting and tracking the incoming hawks. People of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. All persons taking part will have an opportunity to view hawks in flight, learn in flight identification of raptors and learn about raptor migration. This is an excellent opportunity to learn identification skills that few naturalists acquire. Our hawk watch site is located in Charlotte County, NB. For more information, please read the forwarded message below and contact me. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Greenlaw Mountian Hawk Watch SJNC fishbird AT xplornet.ca 529-4656 Begin forwarded message: > From: Todd Watts > Date: August 11, 2010 10:08:10 PM ADT > To: naturenb > Subject: Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch: Fall 2010 > > Volunteers Needed > > The second annual Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch will soon be under > way. Observations are scheduled to begin on August 24 and continue > into November. This is an exciting project with much potential to > increase our knowledge of New Brunswick's migrant and resident > raptor populations. > > We are currently seeking volunteer observers of all skill levels. > The primary role of volunteers will be to spot hawks as they > approach the watch site. Observers will need a pair of seven to ten > power binoculars and will be instructed on how to identify hawks in > flight. Anyone who wants to take part in this project must contact > the project coordinator to obtain a release form and directions to > the site. The form must be signed and returned to the coordinator > before visiting the watch site. > > What will you see if you volunteer? > > Last year, we observed up to eleven species of raptors in a single > day and in total we counted 2769 hawks throughout the fall season. > If you come for a day, you can expect to see tens or hundreds of > hawks from the watch site. Many of these raptors will be seen up > close. Some of these birds will come in low and overhead, some will > zip past at eye level and others will perch on some of the many > snags that surround the watch site. Still others will be seen at a > distance providing many opportunities to develop identification > skills. > > We have a good chance of spotting some rarities. Seldom seen birds > like the Red-shouldered Hawk are likely be part of this year's > count. Golden Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Black Vulture and others are > possible. Non-raptor rarities could occur as well. The watch site is > located in far southwestern New Brunswick increasing the possibility > of seeing 'southern' species. > > > Migration timetable: > > Late August: Fair numbers of hawks; many immature birds. > > September: Peak or near peak flights for Broad-winged Hawks, > American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Osprey. Adult birds are > increasingly seen as the month progresses. > > October: Peak or near peak flights for Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, > Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk. Late > season birds such as the Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, and Rough- > legged Hawk begin to appear. > > November: Good potential for late season migrants and rarities from > the North. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks will likely continue > to move in small to moderate numbers through mid-month. > > > Raptors are a much misunderstood and often persecuted avian species. > Through this project, we aim to better understand these magnificent > birds and foster an increased public appreciation for them. > > > This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. > > Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on > their land. > > For more information contact: > > Todd Watts > Project Coordinator > Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch > Saint John Naturalists' Club > fishbird AT xplornet.ca > 506 529-4656 > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: western kingbird From: John Kowtaluk <kowtaluk AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:46:10 -0300 Roger Guitard called to let me know that he saw a Western Kingbird in Beresford, civic address 526 rue Principale jk 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 Blackpoll Warbler of Fall From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT nb.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 9:43:42 -0300 I always consider fall migration officially underway when I observe my first BLACKPOLL WARBLER (BLPW) here on Grand Manan. Well, this morning Rick Lufkin and I caught and banded a hatch-year BLPW weighing almost 11 grams. This indicates it will likely remain for another 2-3 weeks adding an extra 5-10 grams for its trans-oceanic flight from here to northern South America. My earliest fall record of BLPW is at Machias Seal Island on 20 August 1951 (Glen Woofenden), and four by August 24th. Next earliest record is one at Castalia Marsh Road on 25 August 2007 (Ken Edwards Jr.). Granted, today's bird could have been raised here on the island, but there are less than 50 local pairs, so well spread out. This bird likely came from Newfoundland/Labrador. Subject: First Blackpoll Warbler of Fall From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:43:42 -0300 I always consider fall migration officially underway when I observe my first BLACKPOLL WARBLER (BLPW) here on Grand Manan. Well, this morning Rick Lufkin and I caught and banded a hatch-year BLPW weighing almost 11 grams. This indicates it will likely remain for another 2-3 weeks adding an extra 5-10 grams for its trans-oceanic flight from here to northern South America. My earliest fall record of BLPW is at Machias Seal Island on 20 August 1951 (Glen Woofenden), and four by August 24th. Next earliest record is one at Castalia Marsh Road on 25 August 2007 (Ken Edwards Jr.). Granted, today's bird could have been raised here on the island, but there are less than 50 local pairs, so well spread out. This bird likely came from Newfoundland/Labrador. 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, August 25, 2010 (Wednesday) From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:44:32 -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 John Foster at 384-7212, our Vice-president, Dale Gaskin at 734-2197, or visit our web site at http://www.naturemoncton.org.   Wednesday morning, August 25, 2010   *** Roger LeBlanc leaves an excellent reminder for us all, to pay a visit to the Riverview Marsh at the moment.  This can be a very productive area of activity as Roger found on Tuesday.  There has not been much rain of late and the marsh ponds there are muddy and ideal for SHOREBIRDS [Oiseaux de rivage] to continue feeding at high tide time which is a prime time to visit the marsh area. The tide times are published in the Times & Transcript each day.    Roger estimated approximately a thousand shorebirds on Tuesday mostly SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau semipalmé] and LEAST SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau minuscule], however some specialities present were a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER [Bécasseau de Baird], two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES [Phalarope à bec étroit] and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à croupion blanc] are starting to appear.  The shorebird troop was not amused by the visit from a MERLIN [Faucon émerillon].   To access the Riverview Marsh, turn into the Point Park Subdivision off Hillsborough Road and wend your way to the marsh and park there.  Walk along the path to the Sewerage Treatment Plant and walk out on the marsh can give lots of surprises.   *** Pat and I have been camping at Rockwood Park in Saint John the past few days while a canine member of the family has a bit of orthopaedic surgery done.  We had never stayed at this campground before and find it a very pleasant spot to come. The trails in the park are great and we are surprised that we don’t hear more nature reports from there.   It was the berries that really caught my attention; at the moment really delicious BLACKBERRIES are at their prime.  I was able to photograph CHOKEBERRIES, MOUNTAIN CRANBERRIES, HONEYSUCKLES and the BITTERSWEET NIGHTSHADE, WILD RAISEN and the TANSEY RAGWORT which is in full bloom at the moment.   The full MOON and JUPITER are putting on a nice show this week on the clear sky nights as well.     Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   Please, 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: No Bats @ Bancroft Point From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:14:58 -0300 Poked around the Point this morning from 0530-0600, and can report that not a single bat was seen. Weather was calm, clouding over and about 12C. Heard moaning seals, calling plovers, sandpipers and gulls, but nary a bat. This strengthens the case for the ~50 Little Brown Bats I saw yesterday morning being genuine migrants. Guess I will have to get myself an acoustic bat detectors for monitoring bat migration, as I have also seen Red, Hoary and Big Brown Bats here in past falls. Brian Dalzell, Bancroft Point Grand Manan Island, 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: Fw: From: Shirley Smith <tssmith AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:55:12 -0300 ----- Original Message ----- From: Shirley Smith To: University of New Brunswick LISTSERV Server (15.5) Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:35 PM We just had a visit in our backyard from what we think is a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. We came to this conclusion based on the length of the tail and legs, shape of the beak and wing patches. Has anyone else seen one around East Saint John? Shirley & Tom Smith Lakewood Heights 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: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:45:51 -0300 Hummingbirds are gone... the males went first last Sunday, today not even a juvenile. We had a cranky male that protected his patch of the front garden & his feeder. He wasn't getting much rest when the juvies arrived, trying to sip his nectar. We had a lot of Purple finches, Goldfinches, uncountable chickadees, causing me to refill feeders every day or so. We had Siskins all summer, leading me to wonder if this bird nests in this area, small rural forest, & at what time of the year. Song sparrows are taking my blueberries & currants, as are Purple finches. Warblers are all over the yard & neighbourhood. Over the summer, I have seen fledglings begging from parents of several species, Redstart, Chestnut-sided warblers, Hairy, Downy& Flicker WPs. For those interested in leading engaging forays for the students (gr. 1 to 8) to nature destinations around the Memramcook village (ex. lagoons), look at our web site for available employment, coming soon, prepare your cv's. First requirement, proficient french... 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: Night-Heron Roost @ Castalia Marsh From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:37:38 -0300 On a whim, I stopped off at the bottom of Castalia Marsh Road about 8:30 PM and waited for the night shift to head off to work. The first bird came out at 8:47 and the last two left at 9:02 PM. Group size ranged from single birds to as many as six. The total of 41 night-herons breaks a record that has stood for 40 years. On the evening of 15 August 1970, Ken Edwards Sr. reported 40 birds leaving the roost. Some years it has gotten as high as 35 birds, but usually only a couple dozen or so. The show will continue nightly for at least another month. I'm going to check the roost in daylight hours tomorrow to search for possible Yellow-crowns. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: question about dead Gannets From: "Frederick W. Schueler" <bckcdb AT ISTAR.CA> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:22:22 -0700 New Brunswickers, First. I've got to apologize for having been in New Brunswick since 9 August without posting any observations (roadside invasive plants, Jacquet river Gorge Protected Area bioblitz, etc.) to the list. I've had, and still have problems sending e-mail. Aleta's paintings (now mostly the property of the people of New Brunswick, in right of the NBM) give an idea of the bioblitz - see http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/2010/08/rattlesnake-plantain.html and earlier posts to her painting blog. We're now at our traditional campsite just north of Cap Lumiere, south of Kouchibouguac Park, with the lights on the wind turbines on PEI glinting across Northumberland Strait. After being totally inland-oriented during the bioblitz, we're now living on a beach, with a bog behind the dunes, and a salt marsh further out. I'm collecting Birches (hybrids between Grey & Paper) for Clay Shearer who wants to work on hybridization between the native species and the European Betula pendula. I'm also waypointing and collecting Phragmites, which J-F Desroches and I waypointed here in 2001, and which, in New Brunswick are almost all the native "subspecies" (except the invasive stand near Chatham which I reported to the list in 2001, and which is now 2 stands). Here I'm also noticing nutrient influxes into the dunes on the toilet-papering grounds near the parking area, and wondering about possibly invasive seaweeds, and whether they're called "Sea Snot" or something else. BUT TO GET BACK TO THE SUBJECT LINE: today I walked 3 km of the beach north of our camp and found 3 freshly dead shining white adult Gannets washed up on the beach. I saw one live Gannet fishing offshore. I wonder how unusual this rate of mortality is? I know it's after the breeding season, and adults might be stressed, but this seems like a lot of mortality. fred. ------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad Bishops Mills Natural History Centre - http://pinicola.ca/bmnhc.htm Thirty Years Later Expedition - http://fragileinheritance.org/projects/thirty/thirtyintro.htm Longterm ecological monitoring - http://fragileinheritance.org/ Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ http://www.doingnaturalhistory.com/ http://quietcuratorialtime.blogspot.com/ RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W (613)258-3107 http://pinicola.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: Bermuda Petrel off Grand Manan! From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:11:51 -0300 Something to keep in mind for this weekend's pelagic trip off Grand Manan is the Cahow (Bermuda Petrel). I never even considered this a remote possibility until I read the most recent edition of North American Birds. Based on data-logger data from a dozen Cahows so outfitted in 2008, they regularly wander as far north as the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, and even Ireland (in the case of a failed nester). If the "Lotek" data-logging devices used on the birds are generally accepted as accurate, then the species can now be tentatively added to the NB list (to be hashed over by the NBBRC in the near future no doubt). Exact dates and locations will have to await eventual publication of this fascinating new aspect of bird study. For a photo of the data-logger on a Bermuda Petrel, go to: http://www.atlanticconservationpartnership.com/p11/conservation/The-Cahow-Recovery-Project.aspx NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Today's Hawks From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:17:42 -0300 Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Counts August 24, 2010 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 Coopers Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 11 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Unidentified Accipiter 1 Unidentified Raptor 1 Total: 28 Observation Period: 9:30AM-1:30PM Weather: Clear skies with winds from the ENE shifting to ESE. Notes: Many of today's birds were high and hard to spot. Local Osprey numbers appeared to be down from earlier this month. Only one local Kestrel was observed. Highlights of the day: A Merlin tried to harass the owl and then perched on one of the close snags. One very ragged looking female Kestrel soared overhead. Had this bird not been so close, it might have been hard to ID. A couple of Broad-wings were fairly close. And the ever present Turkey Vultures were seen. Non-raptors: Very little movement was detected. Tomorrow: East winds and rain. Observations will resume on Thursday or Friday. Good conditions are forecast for weeks end. More details on today's counts, as well as, monthly totals and season totals can be found at hawkcount.org. This project is supported by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund. Bell/Aliant is graciously allowing this project to be conducted on their land. Todd Watts Project Coordinator Saint John Naturalists' Club 506 529-4656 fishbird AT xplornet.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html