NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, March 16, 2020 (Monday)
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Info Line #: 506-384-6397
(384-NEWS)
** The Petitcodiac River Appreciation Day Committee has made the
decision to postpone the program planned for April 4 until November 2020.
November 7 is a target date, but a lot of re-arrangements have to be made to
check with speakers, venue and sponsors to nail down a rescheduled date. That
of course will depend on whether COVID-19 is wrestled down. There will be
updates as everyone is contacted on a firm date to make it as close as possible
to the agenda that was scheduled for April 4.
** On Sunday, Karen and Jamie Burris went for a walk on the
Turtle Creek Marsh and spotted a SNOW GOOSE [Oie des neiges] among a flock of 6
CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada]. They also observed another 20 Canada Geese
on the river.
They have been seeing flocks of 10 to 20 AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle
d’Amérique] in their Riverview back yard for the last week. They’re cleaning up
what’s left of the mountain ash. From their photos you can see that the male is
sporting a mustache and goatee. They don’t go near the Highbush Cranberry
which is full of fruit at the moment. Highbush Cranberry is usually a fruit of
last resort, except for PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] which we sure did
miss this season.
** Brian Stone got a few more sea duck photos on the last day of
his visit to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Four LONG-TAILED DUCKS [Harelde kakawi]
were offshore at Cow Bay, three males and one female. They don’t seem to have
made serious changes into breeding plumage yet. They will soon be waving a wing
goodbye to us!
Brian also got a photo of a COMMON LOON [Plongeon huard] that is
suspected to be in immature plumage as I suspect that adult loons, at this
point, to be showing some signs of breeding plumage, as they will be heading to
freshwater ponds the moment there is open water. The immatures will stay off
the coastline in open water as all overwintering Common Loons do. However, the
immatures will not head to inland ponds in breeding plumage, until almost three
years of age.
A note from Leigh Eaton in Florida. On Sunday
afternoon, a loud noise from the river attracted his attention and
the photos explain the cause of the noise. These are Double-crested
Cormorants with a few Brown Pelicans and Laughing Gulls involved in the
feeding frenzy. This is the largest flock of cormorants he have seen in this
area and suspect they may be migrating.
Lately
Leigh has been noticing many tiny fish, 1-3 in long, many 5-7 inch and a
quantity of 12-15 inch that somewhat resemble catfish. I am surprised
there are any fish in the river considering attacks by the Cormorants,
Red-throated loons, Dolphins, Bald Eagles, Laughing Gulls, Osprey
and occasional Alligator.
Leigh
and his wife head home Tuesday, earlier than usual due to COVID-19, hoping
they are allowed to enter Canada as the regulations have been to change
daily.
Nature Moncton
SNOW GOOSE AND CANADA GOOSE MAR 15 2020 JAMIE BURRIS
AMERICAN ROBIN MARCH 10 2020 JAMIE BURRIS
AMERICAN ROBIN MARCH 10 2020 JAMIE BURRIS
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT FEEDING FRENZY.MARCH 16, 2020. . LEIGH EATON
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT FEEDING FRENZY.MARCH 16, 2020. . LEIGH EATON
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT FEEDING FRENZY.MARCH 16, 2020. . LEIGH EATON
LONG-TAILED DUCKS. MAR. 15, 2020. BRIAN STONE
LONG-TAILED DUCKS. MAR. 15, 2020. BRIAN STONE
LONG-TAILED DUCKS (PAIR). MAR. 15, 2020. BRIAN STONE
COMMON LOON (IMMATURE). MAR. 15, 2020. BRIAN STONE
