[NatureNS] Paragon Walk

From: "john belbin" <jbelbin@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 12:40:09 -0300
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 Jim,
You are probably right, the few "tents" I managed to look at seemed as if
the occupants had mostly left - but they have certainly done a job on the
vegetation and it looks horrible. However, I saw just as many tents on pin
and choke cherry as on the alders and I also have some on a cherry tree in
my small orchard.
Thanks
John Belbin

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Jim Wolford
Sent: September 5, 2006 11:25 AM
To: NatureNS
Subject: FW: [NatureNS] Paragon Walk


John, it seems very late to me for tent caterpillars -- could they have been
something else, like fall webworms?  Fall webworms make their tents around
the foliage, unlike tent caterpillars which put the tents in branch-forks
(and usually in spring/early summer).  I think the fall webworms are now all
finished, having left their tents to pupate etc.  They are tiger moths
(arctiids) and can be found on a variety of woody plants but mostly on
alders.

Your aerial feeding gulls were most likely feeding on flying ants, I'll bet!

Cheers from Jim in Wolfville
----------------
On Sept. 3, John Belbin wrote from Kingston:

"Tent caterpillars were everywhere, by far the worst infestation I have seen
locally."

"At home early this afternoon my attention was drawn to a dozen Herring
Gulls
that were circling continuously overhead. They were acting like flycatchers
and having some considerable success at capturing an airborne prey. Whatever
they were after was prolific and quite active. It would often see them
coming and attempt to dodge - it was quite amusing to see the gulls try to
stop on a dime and stretch out their necks to catch whatever was fleeing
from them. This chase went on for several minutes."
----------
From: john belbin <jbelbin@ns.sympatico.ca>
Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 18:34:17 -0300
To: Naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Subject: [NatureNS] Paragon Walk

This morning I walked round the perimeter of the Paragon Golf Course, down
to the Annapolis River and then through the woods between the golf course
and the river. When I started out it was cool, almost frosty and calm, when
I returned 90 minutes later it was amazingly warm and bugs were out
everywhere. At the river, several Humming Birds were working the flowering
plants, one male buzzed me when I apparently got between him and a choice
patch. A DC Cormorant and a GB Heron were on the river, I assume the Heron
is the same one that roosts near my home.  3 Wood Ducks were in a small pond
near the river.

There were the usual large numbers of Chickadees and Goldfinch. Small flocks
of Juncos everywhere including a large number of juveniles. Several Catbirds
called from the bushes. As I have found at home, White Breasted Nuthatch
seemed to be calling from all over the place. The larger birds were highly
active with Blue Jays stripping the trees of acorns and Crows flying off
with apples stuck in their beaks. Sometimes it looked as if a Crow could
barely fly because of the size of its trophy.

A couple of Red eyed Vireos were singing their hearts out. Both Swamp and
Savannah Sparrows were noted and watched.  At one point I was literally
surrounded by a highly aggressive flock of Blue Jays, one came down to
within 2 metres to scold and peer at me while a companion drove off a White
Breasted Nuthatch that I had been watching. They were replaced by a small
flock of Ruby Crowned Kinglets which were far more pleasant to be near.
There were several Palm Warblers, and Common Yellowthroats scolded me when I
got too close. A flock of Robins was moving through the woods.

Tent caterpillars were everywhere, by far the worst infestation I have seen
locally.

At home early this afternoon my attention was drawn to a dozen Herring Gulls
that were circling continuously overhead. They were acting like flycatchers
and having some considerable success at capturing an airborne prey. Whatever
they were after was prolific and quite active. It would often see them
coming and attempt to dodge - it was quite amusing to see the gulls try to
stop on a dime and stretch out their necks to catch whatever was fleeing
from them. This chase went on for several minutes.

John Belbin - Kingston


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