NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, March 3, 2019 (Tuesday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Doreen Rossiter reports that the lone male
adult RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD [Carouge à épaulettes] that arrived Sunday morning at her Alma feeder
yard was indeed an advance guard; on Monday morning 6-8 adult male Red-winged
Blackbirds were present. She notes that one may have been a first year male. Doreen’s
report, along with the troupe that arrived at John Inman’s 225 Mary’s Point
feeder yard confirms that blackbird migration north is underway and early this season. We can
soon expect flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, then a blend of COMMON GRACKLES [Quiscale bronzé] and, soon
after that BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRDS [Vacher à tête brune]. The normal tendency is for the brightly coloured
males to appear first, then a blend of adult and first-spring males, and then
the females. Will other species of birds start to arrive early as well? We may
not have long to wait!
** Daryl
Doucet sends us a photo of a MOURNING DOVE [Tourterelle triste] that’s rather looking like it may be having a
snooze but it is showing a very crucial part of avian anatomy that we seldom
get to see. The eye looks like it may be clouded over; actually it is its nictitating
membrane that provides vital eye protection. It’s a membrane that flashes
across the eye so quickly even before the eyelid closes to protect it against any particles that may damage the eye
surface. It happens with such incredible speed that it is not often seen. It is
very vital, for example, to protect woodpeckers against flying sawdust. Lots of
birds and mammals and other wildlife have this sometimes called ‘third eyelid’.
Birds need perfect eyesight and flying makes them vulnerable to airborne
debris. This nictitating membrane is a powerful tool to keep the eye safe.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
MOURNING DOVE. MARCH 2, 2020. DARYL DOUCET
