Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 24 2018

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

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

Gordon Rattray visited the Tantramar Marsh on Friday afternoon to successfully spot the Golden Eagle on a pylon near the Coles Island Road. It was harassed crows to put the eagle into flight as Gordon got a few flight profile photos. He also noted an apparent pair of adult Bald Eagles perched together on another pylon all the time he was there. Several Rough-legged Hawks were present as well.

**Trail cameras are getting very popular to see what wildlife may be quite nearby. Larry Sherrard had his trail camera just out behind his Lower Coverdale home, to have a WHITE-TAILED DEER [Chevreuil] check out his offerings.

**Janet Kempster, Brian Stone and Danny Sullivan made a run around the City on Friday, to take note of some interesting wildlife activity. On Crowley Farm Road, an adult BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] was perched on a branch by the well-used nest there, probably soon to be retooled for seasonal use. HOUSE FINCHES [Roselin familier] were in the small park at the corner of Milner Road and Alexander Avenue, getting a photo of a male and a female. Also a male PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand Pic] was spotted at the Irishtown Nature Park, and a male WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL [Bec-croisé bifascié] on a FIR [Sapin] tree. Note the upright posts on the branch, which is what is left of the upright cones of BALSAM FIR [Sapin baumier] when the scales shed. An immature RED-TAILED HAWK [Buse à queue rousse] posed for a photo op.

**The BROWN CREEPER [Grimpereau brun] is not an uncommon bird, but its camouflage technique as it spirals up the bark of an appropriate tree with near the same background colour can be incredible. I came across two Brown Creepers on the Dobson Trail last week, and was able to get a quick photo of one, to show its effective cryptic behaviour to avoid detection.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton