Jan 7 2016

**  Maurice Richard had a surprising scenario unfold late Wednesday morning. He saw a SNOWY OWL [Harfang des neiges] following a BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche]. The eagle was mature and seemed small, so I presume it was a male. The Snowy Owl was a good size. They were drifting in from Main Street over Jones Lake for a slow loop, then turned south towards the river. Maurice at first thought the owl was chasing the eagle but it was following at a reasonable distance, sometimes getting closer, sometimes farther. An interesting scenario.

 

**  Brian Stone got another photo of what appears to be a VIREO nest, as well as one of a stick nest estimated at 8 inches across and suggestive of a BLUE JAY [Geai bleu] nest. He also noted MUSKRAT [Rat musqué] lodges at a cat-tail marsh and a small hole opening at the edge of a wet swamp that could well be a breathing hole maintained by Muskrats. These openings in icy areas are known as push-ups. 
nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton

BLUE JAY NEST (SUSPECTED). JAN. 06, 2016. BRIAN STONE

MUSKRAT BREATHING HOLE SUSPECTED. JAN. 06, 2016. BRIAN STONE

MUSKRAT LODGES. JAN. 06, 2016. BRIAN STONE

VIREO NEST. JAN. 06, 2016. BRIAN STONE