Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 26, 2016

** A last reminder of the PLANTWATCH PRESENTATION on tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Moncton Public Library. The notice is attached as a PDF for more details. This will be a very interesting citizen science summer project, easy to participate in and learn from, and taking little time as most of us will be out and about the area sleuthing nature anyway :)

** The 24th annual EAGLE WATCH weekend begins in the Sheffield Mills area of the Annapolis Valley of NS this coming weekend - January 30 and 31, and also the next weekend February 6 and 7. Wendy Sullivan was in the area on Monday and preparations for the weekend are in full swing and Wendy shares several photos. Wendy saw lots of BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tote blanche}, RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse], and also many AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d’Amérique], COMMON RAVEN [Grand Corbeau], AND GULLS. It’s a very lively spot. Wendy shares several photos she took when visiting on Monday. This event draws huge crowds.

** Louise Richard is noting the very sizable flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d’Amérique] in the Jones Lake area, especially enjoying the fruit trees along the north side of the lake. Louise is also reporting a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD [Moqueur polyglotte] using the fruit trees across from her home facing Jones Lake for the 3rd year in a row.

** Dave Christie’s photos of the immature COOPER'S HAWK [Épervier de Cooper] in his yard came in at low resolution yesterday. Those photos are re-attached at higher resolution for better viewing today. In addition to Dave’s commentary of yesterday, one identification point that Dave mentions was the apparent large size of the bird when he saw it fly in and perch. It seemed far too big for a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, so his first impression was of female Cooper’s or male Northern Goshawk. With binoculars he saw the distinct but narrow streaking on the breast which pointed towards Coopers as did the lack of well defined white supercilium that a Northern Goshawk would have. With apparently more Cooper’s Hawks being seen in the area it will be important to watch for all identification features to separate them from Sharp-Shinned Hawk and Northern Goshawk - with the different plumages of immatures and matures of these species. The photos and explanations coming in will help.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton