Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 15 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, November 15, 2017 (Wednesday)

Please advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Transcript by: Catherine Johnson johnson2@xplornet.com

Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
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**A report yesterday suggested that the DUNLIN population may be moving away from Hay Island, however when Peter Gadd visited Hay Island the afternoon of November 13 he was fortunate enough to see 22 dunlin seemingly under the supervision of a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

He also saw 2 SANDERLINGS and a PURPLE SANDPIPER. Purple sandpipers are always a treat! Peter also saw 2 HORNED LARKS and a flock of 20 SNOW BUNTINGS. On Saturday Peter saw 200+ BLACK DUCKS in the water off the island but on revisiting on Monday a considerable amount of freezing had taken place and saw only 15 black ducks.

**Jamie and Karen Burris were in the Salisbury area on November 10 spotting 2 WHITE-TAILED DEER, one of which is piebald. The piebald animal appeared to have an injury on its left rear leg.

On November 13 they were in the Hillsborough dyke area to note a GREAT BLUE HERON, a male NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and the bird-of-the day which turned out to be PEREGRINE FALCON perched in an elm tree in the middle of the marsh.

**Dave Christie comments he's been trying to identify a warbler that had been around his Mary's Point home for a few days. It finally fluttered up against a picture window to try for the flies inside the window. Dave could then see it was an immature or female AMERICAN REDSTART. Dave says he was tempted to open the window and let it in to feast on the flies it could not find outside in the cold.

**Brian Stone captured a photo on a CHIPMUNK with its “shopping bag” pouches bulging as it made last additions to its winter larder it will use underground over the winter.

**At the Nature Moncton meeting next week there will be a show and tell table at the front of the room with appropriate discussion on it during the second half of the meeting. Meeting participants are asked to bring along any interesting items they have come across to share with the group. The possibilities are endless. Also put together any photos you have on a flash drive to share with others during the second half of the meeting.

**It's that time of the year when the birds will more interested in our feeders and also that time of year when surprises can show up. Let's get some bird feeder reports to hear what patrons folks are getting.

At my own feeders activity is moderately brisk with regulars but nice to see the AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS back from the north and a nice contingent of HOUSE FINCH. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH are the most abundant at approximately 20.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton