Nature Moncton Nature News: April 16 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, April 16, 2020 (Thursday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Jane Leblanc saw 4 adult COMMON LOONS [Plongeon huard] in breeding plumage off the St. Martins beach on Wednesday morning. These birds that have overwintered just off the coast will be heading to freshwater ponds as soon as they are ice free. They stay at sea at least a few years before becoming adults, staying in non-breeding plumage. Jane also heard her first WOOD FROG [Grenouille des bois] of the season in her yard pond and got a photo of it looking very relaxed.

** Anna Tucker walked Victoria St. by Church Court on Wednesday to note a flock of HOUSE SPARROWS [Moineau domestique] in the leafless hedges. Anna got photos of a male and a female. We don’t see House Sparrows much in New Brunswick at the moment where they used to be very common in the past. Maybe it’s a good thing as this introduced species has been very hard on Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows as they could successfully out compete them for nest boxes. It is not known for certain why their numbers have dwindled in the Maritimes as they are still relatively common in other parts of Canada. The recent increase in the Eastern Bluebird population in New Brunswick is very likely due to the decreased competition from the more aggressive House Sparrow.

** In these present days of isolation Leigh Eaton sends a photo doing the rounds to bring a smile. Maybe if Ron Steeves is watching for raptors at the New Horton Church he could put a handle on the photo!!

** Brian Stone took a walk down the Gorge Rd. on Thursday to note Pussy Willows breaking out of their buds to show the white, hairy insulation layer that will soon become yellow pollen catkins or green seed catkins. Brian also noted CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] seeming to be taking a very serious interest in emerging buds.

** The CHIPPING SPARROW [Bruant familier] that has been with me most of the winter has very suddenly gone into breeding plumage and it was a bit of a surprise to see that it has a partner which I am assuming is a mate as they traveled around the feeders together.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton