Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 6 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, January 6, 2020 (Monday)

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Edited by Nelson Poirier, <nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com>

Transcript by David Christie, <maryspt@mac.com>

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

** Theresa McCready had a pleasant surprise on Saturday morning when a BROWN THRASHER [Moqueur roux] arrived in her Youngs Cove bird feeder yard. A very welcome feeder yard patron! The Brown Thrasher cannot be classed as a rare bird in New Brunswick, as we do have ample breeding records. However, it is uncommon.

** Jane LeBlanc took part in the Quispamsis-Hampton Christmas Bird Count on Saturday. Interesting birds they counted included SONG [Bruant chanteur], WHITE-THROATED [Bruant à gorge blanche] and AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien], NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] and AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d’Amérique]. As is normal for that area, NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] is common, and Jane forwards a photo of a male and a female, to make the rest of us in New Brunswick wish we had them in that number.

** Brian Stone’s very small mushroom that appeared a few days ago in a small container of earth that he’s keeping indoors is growing taller. Brian came up with the idea to show the top of a mushroom and at the same time see the underneath by use of a mirror. It’s a great idea. Note the as yet not opened partial veil that is attached to the cap edge and to the stalk in the photo taken January 4^th, and the partial veil separated from the cap on January 5^th. The mushroom is actually still quite small and Brian does not expect it to become a large specimen, but the watch is on.

** A second heads up on the Nature Moncton workshop and field outing that is coming up on this coming Saturday, January 11, with Roger LeBlanc giving a presentation on “What’s that bird???” Roger bills this event as one for beginners, but it can be anticipated that there will be lots of tidbits of information for any level of expertise. The write-up as it appears at <www.naturemoncton.com> under coming events is attached.

Nature Moncton Workshop and Outing
Date: January 11th, 2020
Time: 9:30 am (workshop); outing in the afternoon
Location: Tankville School
Leader: Roger Leblanc
Cost: $8.00

Please register for the workshop with Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca.

WHAT’S THAT BIRD???

Are you just getting started in bird watching and asking yourself these kinds of questions:

- Where do I start to identify a bird? There are so many.
- What about places to bird? Where do I find what bird?
- What about guides, apps, sites and equipment? What should I get?
- Once I have the toys what should I do with them?
- Where do I find help out there and how do I get better at birding?

Nature Moncton knows that a lot of new nature enthusiasts are joining our ranks, while some that have been around for a while are still puzzled by these questions. And since the New Year is a great time to start something that you have been wanting to try for a while we will offer, early in 2020, a birding workshop with our own Roger Leblanc. Roger, a well known bird expert with more than 25 years of experience, will explore all these questions with you and any others you might have. While it can seem overwhelming at the start, there is great pleasure and a sense of accomplishment in learning to know birds and nature better. In an indoor workshop, Roger will share his expertise on finding and identifying birds as well as many tips on various aspects of bird watching. Then after a couple of hours indoors talking about birds and birding, we will put it all together by --“YES” -- going birding outside. At this point you can put your newfound know-how to the test in the field with the help of Roger. As many have said, bird watching is all about time spent in the field and so we will go out to see what Mother Nature has in store for us. Some extra binoculars and scopes will be available.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.