Nature Moncton Nature News: March 25 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Mar. 25, 2018 (Sunday)

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

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** From reports we did not have a very large contingent of NORTHERN SHRIKES [Pie-grièche grise] over-winter with us this year. However, one did pay a visit to the feeder yard of Judy Marsh on Shediac Road on Friday, to grasp an unsuspecting rodent of uncertain identity. Judy went for the camera but it was definitely “lunch and go” with no photo op. It is that time window when we can hear a male shrike vocalize as it prepares for breeding season to the north of us.Those melodious moments may be hard to come by this year, but they will occur.

** A few nice signs of developing spring from Dave Christie. The SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] that he had coming intermittently to his Mary’s Point feeder yard since January burst into song on Saturday morning, despite the grey skies and snow flurries. Dave also flushed an AMERICAN WOODCOCK [Bécasse d'Amérique] between a shrub and marsh grass at Mary’s Point beach on Saturday. Both of these birds, just like all of us, will very much enjoy the beautiful weather forecast for the coming week.

** The Nature Moncton SWALLOW NEST-BOX PROJECT WORKSHOP went off as scheduled on Saturday afternoon. Roger LeBlanc went over six species of swallows that we can expect to see in New Brunswick, with special emphasis on the TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] to discuss placement and erection of nest boxes for maximum results. Louise Nichols went over a survey sheet that will go with each box this year, to get information on procedures that will work the best and on what other activity is noted around the nest boxes.

Fred Richards had 50 completely assembled nest boxes ready for prospective landlords to collect, and assembled one at the workshop to show how they are put together with pre-cut pieces to allow for assembly line production. All the boxes were numbered and stamped with the Nature Moncton logo.

Visitors to Grand Manan this summer can drop by the museum in Grand Harbour to visit 20 of Fred’s nest boxes that will be located in a marsh near there.

A new addition this year is a procedure to reduce flea and ectoparasite load for adults and especially nestlings, using a pyrethrin/permethrin spray combination, as well as diatomaceous earth applied in April. This was developed by Nelson Poirier. It was used in several boxes last year and suggested very satisfactory results. Instructions for this treatment can be had by e-mail request, as it applies to any man-made nest box.

** I met with Mac Dunfield, from Ducks Unlimited, at the Moncton Sportsmen’s Show this weekend, to briefly discuss duck box supply. He says that they will be able to supply free WOOD DUCK [Canard branchu] nest boxes, with instructions on how best to use them, to Nature Moncton members, who will erect them and provide ongoing care of them to ensure maximum successful occupancy. This is a very generous offer. If any members are interested, send an e-mail to nelson@nb.sympatico.ca and we’ll go from there. If promptly done, there may be time to get them up, for potential use this coming season, and at least they can be ready for ducks to check out in the fall, for use next year.

** Brian Stone shares one more photo from our recent winter adventure on the remote Renous Highway that just needs to be seen by the group. Conditions there must have looked very different on Wednesday. It sure is a stretch of New Brunswick’s highways not to be on in a winter storm.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton