Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 12 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 12 January 2019 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**Doreen Rossiter leaves an update on activity at her Alma feeder yard, which she comments has slowed down somewhat recently, to a few AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune], a few SONG SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur], one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant à gorge blanche], a few RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine rousse], only one MOURNING DOVE [Tourterelle triste], lots of BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu], BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire], and HAIRY [Pic chevelu] and DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur]. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] continues to monitor the yard, and she saw it in hot pursuit of a Black-capped Chickadee a few days ago, then spotted a tailless Black-capped Chickadee yesterday and wonders if it was an escapee. A new predator appeared, patrolling the yard on Friday: a WEASEL [Belette]. Doreen has not seen a Weasel in the yard for 25 years; that Weasel successfully captured birds around feeders. A male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER [Pic à ventre roux] is still a regular. It has found a knot in a LILAC [Lilas] shrub that it spends a lot of time at, and she also sees it is removing bark from a FLOWERING CRAB tree [Pommetier]. Doreen comments how beautiful this bird is, against the snow background.

Redpolls are being seen around the province but they don't seem to be in high numbers and don't seem to be appearing at feeders in significant numbers.

Marguerite Winsor did have one arrived to her Salisbury feeder Yard that was travelling with a mixed flock of approximately 50 American Goldfinch and Pine Siskins. Marguerite got a nice photo of her lone visitor.

Also Brian Stone came across a flock of 26+ redpolls feasting on the catkins of a Grey Birch tree in Mapleton Park and got photos of them enjoying their find. A heavy crop of catkins on birch may be having most of the redpolls stay with the wild food supply.

A group of 25+ Bohemian Waxwings were enjoying the clinging fruit of a flowering crab tree on Mount Royal Boulevard on Friday. The overcast day made it difficult to be certain that no Cedar Waxwings or other tag longs were with them however, a Merlin was quietly perched several trees further down the street pondering its next move.

**A reminder of the January Nature Moncton meeting coming up this coming Tuesday night, January 15

Nature Moncton January, 2019 meeting

January 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM

Moncton Rotary Lodge (across from former Cabela’s)

Members Night

Have you had an interesting encounter with nature in the past year? Have you taken some good photos of birds, insects, animals or anything else in the various habitats of New Brunswick? Have you taken a trip where you were able to experience aspects of nature different from what we have here? The January Nature Moncton meeting belongs to members like you who wish to share their nature photos and experiences in 15 to 30 minute presentations. It’s a special night when we get to hear from each other and perhaps learn some things from the everyday experiences of the nature enthusiasts who belong to the club.

Please advise President Gordon Rattray if you have a presentation to share at gordonr@nbnet.nb.ca or call Gordon at 874-6458, so we can line up the evening.

Nature Moncton is a very diverse group with an equal diversity of interests. Let’s share them on January 15, 2019!

As always, all are welcome Nature Moncton member or not.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton