NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, January 09, 2020 (Thursday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** EUROPEAN STARLINGS [Étourneau
sansonnet] can be bullies at feeder yards but Jim Carroll nicely illustrates
that territorial NORTHERN FLICKERS [Pic flamboyant] are up to the challenge.
Jim’s feeder yard has been residence for 2 female Northern Flickers this
winter. Recently uninvited European Starlings have decided to muscle in on the
free buffet. Both the European Starlings and Northern Flickers favour his homemade,
soft suet served in an enticing driftwood log. The submitted photo shows what
happens when the 2 species collide. In the photo the Northern Flicker has just
jabbed the European Starling. The Starling responds by grabbing and
immobilizing the Flicker’s beak with its feet. With its convenient perch the
Starling is free to attack. The Flicker, however, manages to retrieve its bill
and sends the interloper on its way.
** John Massey comments that the
snowstorm on Wednesday brought a number of AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret
jaune] to his Dieppe feeder yard whereas he had only a few before. John has
been noting some notable sized flocks of WAXWINGS [Jaseur] in his area as well
as AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique]. American Robins seem to be suddenly being
reported in greater numbers. John also had a RED FOX [Renard roux] visiting his
yard. The Red Fox can adapt to urban living quite easily with no doubt more in
the urban Greater Moncton area than we think. A recent organized survey of the City
of Charlottetown, P.E.I., found 42 Red Fox dens within city limits. Yet when
driving through Charlottetown one would not often see a Red Fox, showing how
well they adapt to an urban environment with a territory much smaller than in a
non-urban environment.
** Kevin Renton reports that their
Stilesville feeder yard has a good turnout of patrons but not as lively as in
other years as most are experiencing, however the snow did bring on a flock of SNOW
BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] which they have not had before in this season.
Also the troupe of EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] that they had last year
has not returned yet, but that could change quickly. The Renton’s birdfeeder
yard is a traditional stop for the annual Birdfeeder Tour which is scheduled
for February 15th this year.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
NORTHERN FLICKER VS EUROPEAN STARLING. .JAN 08, 2020.JIM CARROLL
RED FOX. JAN 7, 2020. JOHN MASSEY
RED FOX. JAN 7, 2020. JOHN MASSEY
