Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 25 2016

** Very interesting to hear of another COOPER'S HAWK [Épervier de Cooper] identified in the area. Dave Christie had an immature appear in a birch tree in his Mary's Point yard on Monday morning [yes, today] and was able to get documentary photos. It flew off in the direction of Harvey. Dave says that there has been a Cooper’s Hawk in the area since Christmas, but this is the first time he has personally seen it. Dave’s comments that show it to be a Cooper’s Hawk are as follows and are helpful to review when we feel the more uncommon Cooper’s Hawk may be visiting over the similar sharp-shinned Hawk. Quoting Dave......

“The photos are not great but show enough to indicate that it’s a Cooper’s. Here are two, both showing the sharply defined narrow streaking on the breast that disappears to almost nothing on the lower belly and also the head profile, one of which shows the rather tawny side of the head of most immature Cooper’s, and lacking the prominent supercilium of an immature Northern Goshawk. I only got one that hints at the rounded, extensively white tip of the tail, and also indicates that the leg is thicker than it would be on a Sharp-shined Hawk. These photos are 1000 pixels high.

** AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] seem to be moving in "big time,” to take advantage of the abundant winter food crop. Norm Mulock, in the west end of Moncton, had 30 AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] and 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] arrive in his yard mountain-ash tree on Friday. The Robins are continuing to appear but the waxwings have moved elsewhere.

** Pat and I were in the Grande-Digue - Caissie Cape area on Sunday and it seemed like AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] were everywhere. There surely is ample food for them and other fruit-eating birds this winter.

** Brian Stone has had a lone BOHEMIAN WAXWING [Jaseur boréal] coming to his yard berry tree for two days. It seems unusual to see this species as a lone bird this time of year. AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Amérique] gather under the tree to forage on fallen fruit.

** A reminder of the Plantwatch Moncton presentation scheduled for tomorrow night, Tuesday, is added to this transcription.

Nature NB’s Botany Workshop Series: PlantWatch Moncton

Do you like to get outside and examine the natural world? Would you like to learn more about plant identification in New Brunswick? Want to become a citizen scientist? Join Nature NB as we help researchers from across Canada in tracking changes in our Natural Environment.

The PlantWatch program enables citizen scientists to get involved by recording flowering times for selected plant species and reporting these dates to researchers, who work to identify ecological changes that may be affecting our environment.

The workshop will include an introduction to plant morphology as well as plant identification basics. Participants will be provided with a plant identification guide and PlantWatch booklet and will receive training to become official PlantWatch participants!

Nature NB is hosting this unique workshop in your area soon!

Where: Moncton Public Library, 644 Main Street

When: Tuesday, January 26th 2016

Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

** Nature Moncton workshop coordinator has arranged for a workshop with Pam Novak and Barry Rothfus, from the Atlantic Wildlife Institute, on Feb. 20. Details are added to this transcription. Early registration is encouraged.

Atlantic Wildlife Institute: Wildlife Response Network

Workshop with Pam Novak and Barry Rothfuss

Saturday Feb 20, 2016

The Atlantic Wildlife Institute, located near Sackville, NB, encourages learning about the vital relationship between people and nature. The focus of the institute is on hands-on learning and research, rooted in a program of rescue, rehabilitation and release of displaced wildlife. This workshop will give an overview of the creation of the Network and how it helps determine legitimate wildlife crisis scenarios. Pam and Barry will give examples of typical calls to the institute about wildlife, AWI response protocols, how they train their 1^st responders, and the Do’s and Don’t’s of when to intervene.

Saturday February 20, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood Dr.

Registration with Judi Berry-Steeves at jbsteeve@nbnet.nb.ca or phone Judi at 387-4778.

Cost of workshop is $8 payable at the door . All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton