Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 27 2019

Nature Moncton Information Line, 27 January 2019 (Sunday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier

Transcript by: David Christie

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

** Janet Kempster located a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK [Buse à épaulettes] in Saint John on January 17. Jim Carroll relocated it on Jan 25 and many birders were able to get it as a lifer the next day including Carmella Melanson who located located the hawk on Saturday, Jan 26 on a light-post close to the corner of Sheriff and Hilyard streets in Saint John, close to where Janet had seen it originally. Carmella shares some great perched photos of it.

** Beth Powning got an excellent photo of a snow imprint of a bird either leaving or exiting snow. It's hard to be certain of this one. It could be a RUFFED GROUSE [Gélinotte huppée] that has just emerged from a night under the snow for insulation from the cold, or where a raptor has taken prey and lifted off. Often a grouse leaves more than one imprint, when lifting off, but not always. I was not able to find out if the snow surface was crusted or not. If there was a heavy crust it would have taken a strong impact to leave this nice print, but maybe there was more fluffy snow where this was taken.

** The Nature Moncton bird feeder tour took place in very pleasant weather conditions on Saturday. The camaraderie over some fine vittles and feeder birds was special. Lots of great photos were taken and possibly more will be coming out today or tomorrow.

It was indeed a treat to see PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] and EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] as a mixed flock at the Rentons. The ratio of reddish adult male Pine Grosbeaks, as well as a few that looked like they were in moult to adult male, was noted.

A duet of BROWN CREEPERS [Grimpereau brun] put on an awesome display at Gordon Rattray's feeder yard, coming and going as long as participants would wish, an unusual event for Brown Creepers. Gordon's home-made feeder that was attracting them got close scrutiny.

Three different RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse] were observed, perched along Hillsborough Road and on a post over the Petitcodiac River causeway.

A very big thanks to those who opened their yards and homes, especially those folks who provided very special culinary delights to make a great day so special.

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton