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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Deana and Peter Gadd visited a
couple of locations in the Bouctouche area on Tuesday. There were 40 or so BARROW'S
GOLDENEYES [Garrot d'Islande] at the Saint-Francois bridge, just south of
Bouctouche on highway 134 as well as a single CANADA GOOSE [Bernache du Canada]
standing on the ice mid-river. At the Saint-Thomas wharf there were close to
200 BLACK SCOTERS [Macreuse noire] and a 100+ COMMON GOLDENEYES [Garrot à oeil
d'or] as well as some COMMON EIDERS [Eider à duvet], 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK
[Harelde kakawi], some Gulls, and 1 male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE [Garrot d'Islande] that
was keeping to itself it seemed. Attached is a photo of a male Common Eider
that appears to have captured a Razor Clam. It seemed as if it tried to swallow
it, then brought it back out, and then Peter was not sure what it did with it.
It was being pursued by a female.
The Black Scoters were dispersed but a
couple of immature BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche] came by and the flock
consolidated and Peter was able to get a group photo. The Common Goldeneye fled
the scene when the Eagles arrived. Deana and Peter checked out Pointe-a-Bouleau
in Tracadie on Sunday. There were 100+ BARROW'S GOLDENEYES [Garrot
d'Islande] in the channel there and a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] roadside.
The Black Scoter group seemed to be very predominantly male. The lines of white
on the primaries help to distinguish the Black Scoter from other scoters in
flight and they are smaller than the other two scoters if in a mixed flock
which is more apt to happen a bit later on.
Roger LeBlanc visited the Cocagne
Bridge on Tuesday and suggests it as a great time to take a close look at gulls
there as they are attracted to the smelt offal from the nearby processing site.
Lots of Herring Gulls, some Great Black-backed Gulls, with Ring-billed Gulls returning.
He was a bit surprised to not see Iceland Gulls there but it may just have been
the timing and no Glaucous Gulls but always a possibility there. There is
always to value added bonus of waterfowl there which will soon be dissipating
as the ice melts. And definitely scan the ice for any seals that may be hauled
up as there could always be surprises at this time of year but enjoy at a
distance and don’t disturb them for their and your protection.
** Annette Stone saw a bright male HOODED
MERGANSER [Harle couronné] in the creek at Mapleton Park on Sunday. Brian went
to look for it on Tuesday but it was a no show. The ducks were abundant as ever,
seeming not to have heard the warnings about social distancing.
WINTER STONEFLIES were moving about as
they often do at this time of year. Note the 2 tails and the wings flat over
the bodies of stonefly.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
COMMON EIDER. MARCH 17, 2020. PETER GADD
BLACK SCOTERS. MARCH 17, 2020. PETER GADD
WINTER STONEFLIES. MAR. 17, 2020. BRIAN STONE
WINTER STONEFLY. MAR. 17, 2020. BRIAN STONE
MALLARD DUCKS. MAR. 17, 2020. BRIAN STONE
MALLARD DUCKS. MAR. 17, 2020. BRIAN STONE
