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Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
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** Anna Tucker visited the High Marsh
Rd. on the Tantramar Marsh on Thursday.
She noted the BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche] pairing up which is to be expected at
this time of year, and one adult was perched on the side of a nest, presumably
checking out what reparations may be indicated.
** The Memramcook Winter Carnival is on
this coming weekend, Feb. 21 to 23rd. Alain Clavette is offering two birding
sessions, one indoor, one outdoor. Alain
is presenting a slide show at the Abby Landry School at 7:30 PM on Friday
evening (tonight). On Saturday morning,
he will lead a caravan-style birding field trip in the Memramcook valley which
will include a visit to his yard EASTERN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu de
l'Est] still
present, as well as a flock of about 60 SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] that are daily patrons recently to his
feeder yard. Alain comments that the
reason we are tending to see more Snow Buntings at the moment could well be due
to the marsh grasses being ice-coated, making feeder yards more attractive
venues. Alain also points out that there
are lots of CROSSBILLS [Bec-croisé]
in the Memramcook valley at the moment that are actively vocalizing and very
likely nesting.
** Jane LeBlanc reports that DARK-EYED
JUNCOS are one of the few species patronizing her St. Martins feeder yard at
the moment. Jane got a nice photo of a
male posing in its grey business suit.
It’s been a quiet winter at many bird feeder yards with the mild winter
we are experiencing so far.
** After the deformed bill comments of
yesterday, Bob Blake reports that they had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à
poitrine rousse] in
their yard several years ago with a bill over 2 cm long. The BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE [Mésange à
tête noire] seems
to get reported with this condition more than most, but that could be simply
due to more numbers of the species that are often so near at hand.
** It’s Friday, and this week’s Sky-at-a-Glance is included
in this edition courtesy of sky guru Curt Nason. Those minutes per day are swelling nicely.
This
Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2020 February 22 – February 29
Let’s pay attention to the minority this week. By this I mean the Minor constellations: Ursa, Canis and Leo, all of which are now visible in the evening. Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, hosts the Little Dipper asterism and it has what is arguably the most important and famous star of the night sky – Polaris, the North Star – at the tip of its tail. Although smaller and less bright than the nearby Great Bear, Ursa Minor is at the centre of action in our night sky. How many have heard or even believe that Polaris is the brightest star in the night sky? It actually ranks at number 48.
Canis Minor, the Little Dog, is noted for having the eighth brightest star, Procyon. An imaginary arrowhead formed by Orion’s head and shoulder stars points eastward to the Little Dog. We usually see it as just two stars so it is probably a wiener dog. Despite the brilliance of its luminary, the Little Dog is just the opening act for Canis Major and its leading star, Sirius, the brightest one of the night sky. In early winter Procyon rises first to announce the impending arrival of Sirius, hence the name which means “before the dog.”
Leo Minor the Little Lion experiences difficulty in being noticed, and with good reason. It is one of those inconspicuous constellations created by the 17th century astronomer Johannes Hevelius to fill gaps in the sky. We see it as a triangle between the back of Leo and the feet of Ursa Major. To give it some distinction and pride we can imagine the lion cub nipping at the heels of the Great Bear to keep it from attacking Leo.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:11 am and sunset will occur at 5:54 pm, giving 10 hours, 43 minutes of daylight (7:15 am and 6:01 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 6:58 am and set at 6:04 pm, giving 11 hours, 6 minutes of daylight (7:03 am and 6:10 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new this Sunday, and its crescent phase will make photogenic appearances below Venus on Wednesday and to its left on Thursday. Mercury is at inferior conjunction on Tuesday. Mars continues to sneak up on Jupiter in the morning sky, closing the gap by a third over the week. Next weekend Jupiter will be halfway between Mars and Saturn.
There will be public observing at the Kouchibouguac Park Visitor Centre this Saturday evening from 7-9 pm. Also this Saturday, the Saint John Astronomy Club will be offering solar observing and other activities as part of Winter Festival at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre from 3-6:30 pm.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Let’s pay attention to the minority this week. By this I mean the Minor constellations: Ursa, Canis and Leo, all of which are now visible in the evening. Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, hosts the Little Dipper asterism and it has what is arguably the most important and famous star of the night sky – Polaris, the North Star – at the tip of its tail. Although smaller and less bright than the nearby Great Bear, Ursa Minor is at the centre of action in our night sky. How many have heard or even believe that Polaris is the brightest star in the night sky? It actually ranks at number 48.
Canis Minor, the Little Dog, is noted for having the eighth brightest star, Procyon. An imaginary arrowhead formed by Orion’s head and shoulder stars points eastward to the Little Dog. We usually see it as just two stars so it is probably a wiener dog. Despite the brilliance of its luminary, the Little Dog is just the opening act for Canis Major and its leading star, Sirius, the brightest one of the night sky. In early winter Procyon rises first to announce the impending arrival of Sirius, hence the name which means “before the dog.”
Leo Minor the Little Lion experiences difficulty in being noticed, and with good reason. It is one of those inconspicuous constellations created by the 17th century astronomer Johannes Hevelius to fill gaps in the sky. We see it as a triangle between the back of Leo and the feet of Ursa Major. To give it some distinction and pride we can imagine the lion cub nipping at the heels of the Great Bear to keep it from attacking Leo.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:11 am and sunset will occur at 5:54 pm, giving 10 hours, 43 minutes of daylight (7:15 am and 6:01 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 6:58 am and set at 6:04 pm, giving 11 hours, 6 minutes of daylight (7:03 am and 6:10 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new this Sunday, and its crescent phase will make photogenic appearances below Venus on Wednesday and to its left on Thursday. Mercury is at inferior conjunction on Tuesday. Mars continues to sneak up on Jupiter in the morning sky, closing the gap by a third over the week. Next weekend Jupiter will be halfway between Mars and Saturn.
There will be public observing at the Kouchibouguac Park Visitor Centre this Saturday evening from 7-9 pm. Also this Saturday, the Saint John Astronomy Club will be offering solar observing and other activities as part of Winter Festival at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre from 3-6:30 pm.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
DARK_EYED JUNCO. FEB. 20, 2020. JANE LEBLANC
BALD EAGLE PAIR. FEB 19, 2020. ANNA TUCKER
BALD EAGLE. FEB 19, 2020. ANNA TUCKER
Minor Leo 2020
