NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, January 03, 2019 (Thursday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour
des palombes] has been making the rounds of the Pointe-du-Chene area over the
past few days. Elaine Gallant had it swing through her Parlee Beach feeder yard
on Thursday to successfully take a Starling. A neighbor has been seeing it as
well, and Elaine’s son got a look at it as it quickly passed on Wednesday.
** Jane LeBlanc shares an excellent
photo of an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW [Bruant hudsonien] to show some of the
features to keep separate some of those winter Sparrows. Jane’s photo shows
nicely the distinctive bi-colored bill, the rusty cap, the dark breast spot and
the rusty patch on the wing joint (elbow).
** The Sparrow blend at feeders does
seem to be showing some variance this year. I usually have 8 to 10 AMERICAN
TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien] at my own yard but this year it is down to
four, but three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] and two SONG
SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur] appear to be overwintering with several DARK-EYED
JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé]. The White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos have
not been regular winter patrons for us since we moved to town.
** As the waterways and coastline
freezes the formation of ice can make for many interesting forms. John Massey
visited the Tintamarre Wildlife Area recently to note a central area of a
freezing waterway filled with clusters of ice crystals clumping together. He
photographed it from a distance and then took two follow up photos at close
range. Jack Frost comes up with some variable formations and a variety of
shapes and designs.
** This might seem unusual but Brian
Stone spotted twelve BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] enjoying the clinging
fruit of an apple tree at the corner of Hildegard Dr. and Mountain Rd. on
Wednesday … with his camera at home. This may be a first to find Brian without
his camera ready. He did shoot some photos on his flip phone, but the Blogspot
was not impressed with the results!
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. JAN 2, 2019. JANE LeBLANC
ICE CHRYSTALS.a.JAN 2, 2019. JOHN MASSEY
ICE CHRYSTALS.b.JAN 2, 2019. JOHN MASSEY
ICE CHRYSTALS.c.JAN 2, 2019. JOHN MASSEY
