Nature Moncton Nature News: April 14 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, April 14, 2020 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: david.cannon@rogers.com

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

Chris Antle shares some observations from the Lower Jemseg area Sunday. PAINTED TURTLES [Tortue peinte] were sunning themselves on logs in their long-time homes in the pond en route to the former Gagetown ferry landing. They also saw all the OSPREY [Balbuzard pêcheur] nests occupied with seemingly more birds than nests, commenting that the Osprey will probably sort out that issue soon. Interesting to hear that Osprey are in good numbers as reports coming out of some areas say that Osprey numbers are down, due to BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] predation of Osprey nestlings. Chris also mentioned seeing a pair of NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard des marais] on the hunt as well in the Lower Jemseg/ Sheffield area.

Chris also came across a BEAVER [Castor] in a storm drain in Riverview. This is the time of year when two-year-old Beavers are told to leave the family unit to fend for themselves, and can appear in places we don’t expect to see them.

** Yvette Richard was surprised to see 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL [Sarcelle d'hiver] outside her Cocagne window on Cocagne Bay on Monday, having never seen them there before! Yvette comments she has had a high number of DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] patronizing her feeders recently, in company with other expected regulars. One junco offered Yvette a portrait opportunity.

** Daryl Doucet witnessed a ‘squirrel scenario’ that surprised him. Obviously a RED SQUIRREL [Ecureuil roux] had already nested in a yard bird nest box. He saw a large squirrel, assuming it to be a male enter the box, carry out a nestling squirrel in its mouth, take it up to a branch, and kill it, before proceeding back to the box presumably to continue practicing infanticide. I am not aware if this is common place with the Red Squirrel or not, and if so, it is probably not very often seen.

** It is the time of year when the BLACKLEGGED TICK [tique à pattes noires], that potentially carries the Lyme disease spirochete is becoming active. There are up to 12 species of ticks in New Brunswick, but the Blacklegged Tick is the only one of concern as a Lyme disease vector. The American Dog Tick is very common in Nova Scotia but less common in New Brunswick, and at the moment it is being widely reported in Nova Scotia. Louise Richard found a tick on her dog a few weeks ago, and was able to quickly remove it with a small tick remover that is available and that every Naturalist should have in their pack. I carry mine in my pocket all year.

** Mac Wilmot sends a few photos of some residents on his walking route around his Lower Coverdale property that includes a BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] that watches the river, and a GREAT HORNED OWL [Grand-duc d'Amérique] that has taken up a territory, very probably having set up house-keeping nearby. Mac also jestingly sends a photo of some of the ‘Mud River Walrus’ moving down the Petitcodiac River at the moment.

** We have 2 Nature Moncton swallow nest boxes erected at our home: one near the front window and one on the back deck. Both have a pair of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] going in and out a lot. It is not possible to know if it is the same pair or not. If they are not going to use one or both, they sure are doing serious reconnaissance!

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton