Editor & Proofreader

Editor: Nelson Poirier    Proofreader: Louise Nichols

Sunday 17 February 2019

Feb 17 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, February 17, 2019 (Sunday)

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Editor: Nelson Poirier  
Transcript by: David Christie  
Info Line telephone # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)


** One of the biggest compliments wildlife can pay to us, when we photograph them, is to ignore our presence. Jim Carroll came across a PORCUPINE [Porc-épic] snoozing in its penthouse overlooking the Black Beach Road, east of Saint John, on Saturday. It showed no interest in Jim’s presence. Note its long guard hairs are arranged with no quills in sight, being laid flat, that indicates “no problem” and "all is well".

** The RIVER OTTER [Loutre de rivière] is a very interesting member of Mother Nature’s community that is active all winter. It is nocturnal and secretive but can be very inquisitive, to the point of being bold. Jim Saunders came across one, and possibly two, popping out of an open area near a stream into the Miramichi River on Saturday. A Miramichi Naturalists’ Club trip to the area today, Sunday afternoon, will hopefully get an audience.



** This coming Tuesday evening is Nature Moncton February meeting night at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge at 7 p.m. This month we’ll take a closer look into the lives of our very common small rodents that we may not get to see very often, but play a very important role in the existence of some of the mammals and birds higher up the food chain, that we see more often and enjoy so much. Bring your own queries and experiences to share in this presentation. The write-up is below, from the website at Nature Moncton website at <www.naturemoncton.com>, with other upcoming events, should you wish to see what else is coming up.

Nature Moncton February Meeting
Our Small Rodent Community and Those That Depend on Them
Moncton Rotary Lodge, February 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Presenter: Nelson Poirier
The small rodents may be some of the most populous members of Mother Nature’s community and are no doubt some of the most significant members of that community in providing food to mammals and birds up the food chain that we all appreciate so much such as owls and other raptors as well as some of the larger wild mammals like foxes, wild cats, coyote, weasels, mink, etc.
As numerous as the small rodents are, we don’t often get to see them due to their secretive, nocturnal, and sometimes only ground-level life. Let’s spend a few moments in getting to know these smaller creatures by their first names and learn about their very interesting life and times. At the same time, let’s become aware of the critters whose existence depends upon the population of the small rodent community.




Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
 
PORCUPINE.FEBRUARY 16, 2019. JIM CARROLL

PORCUPINE.FEBRUARY 16, 2019. JIM CARROLL

RIVER OTTER. FEB 16, 2019. JIM SAUNDERS