Nature Moncton Information Line

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

March 21 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 21, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Tonight, Tuesday, March 21, is Nature Moncton meeting night at 7 PM at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge. Details below:

The Nature Moncton March meeting will take place this coming Tuesday night, March 21, at 7:00 PM, when Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, will give a live presentation at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It will also be available virtually.

The presentation write-up is below:

Nature Moncton March Meeting

March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director, PWA

“Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance update”

The Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance has a wide variety of current and past projects. Generally, these fit into 4 general categories: scientific monitoring, habitat improvement, environmental assessment, and education & outreach. Together, these themes provide a rounded approach to restoring and protecting the ecological services of the water systems that flow into Shepody Bay through science-based research, action, and public outreach.

This year the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance is celebrating 25 years of incorporation, and 26 since its inception. To celebrate, the PWA is ramping up in some key areas to increase its impact and improve environmental monitoring, health, and education in our watershed. The organization has launched new branding, communications strategies, and a new website that better highlights their work and includes interactive features to learn more about the PWA’s work, the watershed, and some key aspects of environmental management in the region. The PWA has also moved to a new location that increases its capacity and the types of activities it can pursue, while also taking on some new projects to revitalize its work and increase impact. At the same time, the organization continues to pursue its long-standing projects in green infrastructure, water quality monitoring and restoring fish passage for species such as the endangered iBoF Salmon. PWA Executive Director Kelsey Wilson will share updates on these projects -- comprising some results from their 2022 field season -- and give us a glimpse of what is coming to launch the organization into its next 25 years, including ways to get involved in hands-on projects that improve the health of our local waterways.

This meeting will be in person at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge, but anyone is welcome to join virtually from anywhere at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467213229?pwd=elZ5cFA4V3pjUDNnYURZcVRQd1NFUT09

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

**Steve Berube has heard a Red-Bellied Woodpecker in their Riverview neighbourhood on early morning dog walks (Merlin ap confirmed). On Monday, Sue and Steve happened to be home when it paid a visit to the suet feeder and a yard maple tree.

The pair of Pileated Woodpeckers still visit daily and Sue and Steve are becoming very accustomed to them moving about the yard. This allows them the opportunity to observe behaviours. Attached is a photo of one eating snow.

**Lynn and Fred Dube have suspected a Flying Squirrel has been using a bird nest box in their Lower Coverdale yard as they have noticed it put the run to a Red Squirrel trying to investigate.

They were able to prove it in the dying embers of light on Monday with a trail camera photo.

** Jane LeBlanc had a Sharp-shinned Hawk land in the birch tree outside her window on Monday. The morning patrons at her bird feeder had left for the day, so its timing was a bit off.

Walking her dog later near high tide, she saw numerous Canada Geese in the marsh in St. Martins.

Arriving back at her driveway, a large shadow went over, turning out to be a Turkey Vulture.

** Always nice to get a report from Doreen Rossiter’s bellwether feeder yard in Alma.

On Saturday, March 18^th, Doreen had her first influx of spring birds with 9 Common Grackles, 3 male Red-winged Blackbirds and 4 American Robins.

The pair of Northern Cardinals are still regular visitors, and the female Red-bellied Woodpecker still puts in an occasional appearance. The Downy Woodpeckers have been seen checking out one of the birdhouses in the yard. Most winter regulars are still around including Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Starlings, Mourning Doves, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Rock Pigeons, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

**Georges Brun noted a Raven perched on Château Moncton that at first appeared to have a white patch in the chest area, but on closer observation of the photo, it would appear like an old injury that is healing.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (MALE). MAR 20, 2023. SUE BERUBE

PILEATED WOODPECKER. MAR 16, 2023. SUE BERUBE

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. MARCH 20, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

CANADA GOOSE. MARCH 20, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

RAVEN. MAR 19, 2023. GEORGES BRUN

FLYING SQUIRREL. MARCH 19, 2023. FRED DUBE

Monday, 20 March 2023

March 20 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 20, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Nature Moncton March meeting is on for tomorrow night, Tuesday. The announcement is repeated at the end of this edition.

**Richard Blacquiere reports there was a male Ruddy Duck in the first pond Hampton lagoon Sunday morning. It still has a way to go to develop into breeding plumage. (Editor’s note: Sibley points out that the male Ruddy Duck takes on its breeding plumage in March, so a sudden molt can be expected soon). Richard got a nice photo of the Ruddy Duck beside a Mallard Duck to show the small size of this species).
The duck variety in that ice-free pond continues to grow; currently, there are Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Mallards, Blacks, and, occasionally, Canada Geese. Iceland Gulls continue to linger, and Ring-billed Gulls are again a daily presence.

**Cathy and Evar Simon were walking in the Irishtown Nature Park and were surprised to come across a female Ruffed Grouse who was very comfortable with walkers passing by in close proximity.

**Georges Brun confirms the presence of 2 Short-Eared Owls in Riverview Marsh near the outlet Trans-Aqua. George saw one in late November flying from the Jonathan Creek side of Vaughan Harvey Blvd (near Pollinator Park - Assomption Blvd). He was able to get a few photos then but could not get visual markings of the underwings. He was not able to locate them in the marsh Dec., Jan., or Feb. until reports from Sue Berube earlier this month. Most feeding areas were frozen closer to Moncton. The south area has a greater number of Cattails, which helps sections to take up water and there is less freezing. A female Northern Harrier has stayed in the area off and on for most of the fall and winter. The Northern Harrier was not impressed with the Short-eared Owl the day he saw it.

Spring Turnover is ongoing along the banks of the Petitcodiac River at the moment. A Crow also got into the act to harass the owl.

Above the new bridge in Riverview-Moncton, very large flocks of gulls have decided to use the bridge and they approach for cover from the northeast winds.

There is a pair of Bald Eagles probably on Mac Wilmot’s land who seem to be setting up housekeeping.

**Fred and Lynn Dube put out cracked corn in their Coverdale driveway, which was found very quickly by Mallard Ducks earlier in the season.

In the past week, it has attracted other wildlife that was not expected. It would appear 2 Coyotes are visiting nocturnally, and a juvenile Northern Goshawk has made at least two visits for a duck dinner.

The snag tree Fred has erected with cavity-filled suet has become a major attraction to several species of suet connoisseurs.

**Shannon Inman did a quick trip around the block in the Harvey area and spotted an American Woodcock and approximately 15 goldeneyes, some of which were performing male Common Goldeneyes.
(Editor’s note: always pleasant to see those first arriving American Woodcock (timberdoodles!) and we will soon be hearing/seeing the males do their dramatic courtship displays).

**On Saturday, Brian Coyle was out to his trail cameras (he has 8 trail cameras out) and came upon fresh Coyote and Raccoon tracks and sign. (Editor’s note: note the human hand-like print of the fore paw of the Raccoon).

In addition, he observed a half dozen Black-capped Chickadees in a Tamarack tree, seemingly feeding on the tender buds. Upon arriving at his home, he sat on the back deck and was able to get some additional photos of one of the pair of resident Brown Creepers in his backyard, at times feeding on the ground at the base of Spruce trees.

**The Nature Moncton March meeting will take place this coming Tuesday night, March 21, at 7:00 PM, when Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, will give a live presentation at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It will also be available virtually.

The presentation write-up is below:

Nature Moncton March Meeting

March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director, PWA

“Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance update”

This meeting will be in person at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge, but anyone is welcome to join virtually from anywhere at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467213229?pwd=elZ5cFA4V3pjUDNnYURZcVRQd1NFUT09

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

AMERICAN WOODCOCK. MAR 19, 2023. SHANNON INMAN

RUDDY DUCK (MALE). MARCH 19, 2023. RICHARD BLACQUIERE

RUDDY DUCK (MALE) AND MALLARD DUCK (MALE). MARCH 19, 2023. RICHARD BLACQUIERE

COMMON GOLDENEYE (MALE). MAR 19, 2023. SHANNON INMAN

RUFFED GROUSE (FEMALE). MARCH 19, 2023. CATHY SIMON

SHORT-EARED OWL. MAR. 17, 2023. GEORGES BRUN

SHORT-EARED OWL AND NORTHERN HARRIER. MAR. 17, 2023. GEORGES BRUN

DOWNY WOODPECKER AND WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. MARCH 19, 2023, FRED DUBE

BROWN CREEPER. MAR 18, 2023. BRIAN COYLE

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (JUVENILE). MARCH 18, 2023, FRED DUBE

COYOTE. MARCH 18, 2023, FRED DUBE

RACCOON TRACKS. MARCH 18, 2023. BRIAN COYLE

COYOTE PAW PRINT. MARCH 18, 2023. BRIAN COYLE

Sunday, 19 March 2023

March 19 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 19, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Aldo Dorio was able to get back to one of his favourite spots, Hay Island, and photograph male Common Mergansers in the opening water off the island.

** John Inman reports blackbirds are now arriving in number to his Harvey, Albert County feeder yard.
They are being welcomed by John’s complement of raptors, so difficult to share photos. Common Grackles have jumped to 12+ in the past few days, and Red-winged Blackbirds have done the same with the arrival of bright males.

**These dreary days make for few nature reports so John Massey shares a springtime encounter.
John was fishing on the Miramichi River in early spring when he encountered a Red Fox that was in the process of shedding its winter coat and got a photo. John comments it looked half dressed, looking like it had just put on its pants but forgot its jacket!
While John was photographing the fox, he noticed movement near his feet in the rocks which turned out to be a Wood Turtle.

No salmon were caught but an interesting day nonetheless.

**The Nature Moncton March meeting will take place this coming Tuesday night, March 21, at 7:00 PM when Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance will give a live presentation at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It will also be available virtually.

The presentation write-up is below:

Nature Moncton March Meeting

March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director, PWA

“Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance update”

This meeting will be in person at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge, but anyone is welcome to join virtually from anywhere at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467213229?pwd=elZ5cFA4V3pjUDNnYURZcVRQd1NFUT09

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

BALD EAGLE (IMMATURE). MARCH 17, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

CANADA GEESE. MARCH 18, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

COMMON MERGANSER (MALES). MAR 18, 2023. ALDO DORIO

RED FOX SHEDDING WINTER PELAGE. JOHN MASSEY

Saturday, 18 March 2023

March 18 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 18, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**John Goobie photographed an evergreen plant on the Dobson trail on February 7. Some of us could not put a handle on the identity until Gart Bishop reviewed it to identify it as Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia).

This is a very common native plant but can surely fool neophyte botanists when we see a photo of this plant in midwinter showing off its greenery in a snowy background.

**Gordon Rattray is seeing and hearing birds getting into the spring mood. Gordon has heard Mourning Doves, White-throated Sparrows, and Black-capped Chickadees singing territory vocalizations. Gordon also had his first of spring visits from a Song Sparrow. Also present in his yard are several American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Gordon had an interesting event on Friday when an internet technician removed a Bald-faced Hornet nest from his tower. The nest was built last summer and was about 12 m up in the air. There were two dead wasps in the nest and some unmatured pupae. For contrast, Gordon includes a nest he collected several years ago.

**Dan Hicks, Director of Parks for the City of Moncton, has successfully applied for a grant from Trail Care Canada for the City of Moncton to partner with Nature Moncton for a habitat improvement project installing bird nest boxes on the Riverfront Trail in Moncton.

The plan is to erect approximately 20 Nest Boxes appropriately placed along the trail in early April.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

SONG SPARROW, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

SHEEP LAUREL. FEB 7, 2023. JOHN GOOBIE

BALD-FACED HORNET NEST COMB, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNETS. MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNET INSIDE NEST. MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNET NEST, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

WASP NEST. GORDON RATTRAY