Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 26 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 26 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)

**Karen and Jamie Burris paid a visit to the Riverview Marsh on Friday to get some interesting observations. They noted PHEASANT [Faisan] feathers scattered about at one spot. Looking up, they spotted an immature RED-TAILED HAWK [Buse à queue rousse] and got some great photos that beautifully show that patagial bar, the dark bar on the forewing border next to the body. This is an identifying feature specific to the Red-tailed Hawk in mature and immature plumage. The banded tail indicates immaturity, as well as the yellow pigment of the iris of the eye. They also noted a lot of rodent trails revealed by the snow melt, as well as lots of scat, to suggest there is lots of raptor food on that marsh. There were also dozens of MALLARD DUCKS [Canard colvert] puddling about the marsh just above the river. They also noted dozens of spiders. I hope we can get some photos of these spiders to attempt identification. Several people have mentioned seeing them.

**Brian Stone and Carol Shea stopped by Mapleton Park on Friday, to find the park closed due to the icy trails. Brian and Carol did go a short distance to Hall’s Creek, laden with cracked corn, to find some very appreciative ducks – WOOD DUCK [Canard branchu] not with them. It looks like that stop will not be on the Nature Moncton feeder tour itinerary today. There may be some very disappointed ducks.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton