Nature Moncton Nature News: JAN 19 2016

** Louise Nichols has been keeping an eye on some Mountain Ash trees by the Arts Building at the University of Moncton campus. On Monday she spotted 15 to 20 WAXWINGS foraging on the berries and on closer look found they were all Cedar Waxwings, not Bohemian Waxwings which are the expected waxwing species in New Brunswick in mid-winter. This is not the first report of Cedar Waxwing flocks this winter in NB and it seems to be an unexpected trend. On Nature NS there are now many similar reports of large flocks of Cedar Waxwings, yet some of the more expected Bohemian Waxwings as well. It’s obviously definitely indicated to check closely when Waxwings are noted, what species they are, and if there may be a mixed component to the flock. A very interesting development for the winter of 2016.

Louise also had a successful audience with the LARK SPARROW [Bruant à jones marron] that has resurfaced on the Taylor Village Rd near Memramcook feeding roadside in the area of civic number 1260. Louise had good light and got nice photos of this special sparrow. Alain Clavette has placed white millet in the area so it will probably stay in that area and do well.

** Mike Britton took a walk in Mapleton Park on Monday afternoon to take note of some streams there flowing freely in the now cooler temperatures. A pleasant winter scene.

** Georges Brun spotted 65 to 70 COMMON MERGANSERS [Grand Harle] along the Petitcodiac River at the mouth of Turtle Creek on Monday. The gender blend was very predominantly male. There’s obviously a fish food source to attract this many of this species to that site. I wonder if it could be a spawning run of Tomcod.

** It may be mid January but nice to see a few photos submitted by Aldo Dorio from photos that resurfaced in reviewing his photos from summer’s. One is a FLY AGARIC mushroom just emerging, and one emerged more fully; and a HUDSONIAN GODWIT [Barge hudsonienne] a shorebird that visits in low numbers in the fall of the year. A few flashbacks :)

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton