Nature Moncton Nature News: April 18 2020

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 18 April 2020 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**Winston Jones got a photo of the BRANT [Bernache cravant] that has been with CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] the last few days in his Upper Coverdale farm fields. The smaller size than the Canada Geese and the narrower neckband shows up nicely.

**On Thursday, Karen and Jamie Burris went for a drive to Hillsborough. They travelled down the Gray’s Island Road, and as they rounded the corner there was a pair of CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada], one of which was on a nest with a very low profile. As they continued on and came out at the wetlands, they spotted six TREE SWALLOWS [Hirondelle bicolore] skimming along the pond. They drove a few more metres and spotted a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET [Roitelet à couronne rubis] in a Maple tree [Érable]. Jamie just got the truck back in Drive and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD [Moqueur polyglotte] appeared. They then crossed the highway, heading toward Gray Brook Marsh, and spotted four WOOD DUCKS [Canard branchu], three males and one female. They drove on, and spotted two BUFFLEHEAD [Petit Garrot] with a MALLARD [Canard colvert] pair; a few meters away, RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier] appeared, four males and one female. They continued down the road, to spot a lone AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique] flipping its wings on its chest. As they rounded a corner, they came upon a lone male Wood Duck. Then just before the golf course, there was a pair of American Wigeons. All these sightings, and they never had to get out of the truck! Quite an outstanding trip visit for sure.

**Some of the shorebirds en route north are not all heading there via the center of the continent corridor. Jane LeBlanc photographed a LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit Chevalier] at St. Martin’s beach on Friday.

**More nice photos of SNOWSHOE HARE [Lièvre d'Amérique] making their summer pelage alterations quite rapidly. Jane got some photos of one in St. Martin’s ready to boogie in a snowless background.

**On Thursday morning, Yves Poussart had a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant à gorge blanche] visiting his yard. Another uncommon event for Yves also happened when a pair of MALLARD DUCKS [Canard colvert] came into the yard to get some sunflower seeds. It may be one of the pairs that he saw earlier this week on the pond of the Fairview Knoll Park, which is within 500 meters of his home. On the other hand, among the regular visitors are the DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur]. A male and a female are coming on a daily basis, exploring his trees, and they appreciate the peanut butter which he makes available.

**Gart Bishop points out about the blooms of the BEAKED HAZEL shrub [Noisetier à long bec]. They have been his ‘go-to’ spring indicator for many years. Yesterday he noticed his first blossom. The male catkins are shedding pollen, and the females are just beginning. As you can see in the photo, this flower is not showy, and is small. No petals, only the stigmas (pollen receptors) sticking out of what looks like a normal leaf bud. It reminds Gart of a small pink spider.

**Jules Cormier reports from his Memramcook feeder yard, commenting that the past winter was not as active as previous winters; however, in the past six days he’s had some pleasant surprises, to include two CHIPPING SPARROWS [Bruant familier], one PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins], one PINE WARBLER [Paruline des pins], and one EASTERN PHOEBE [Moucherolle phébi]. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien] are still present. SONG SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur] and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS [Vacher à tête brune] have arrived. He also saw an EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] at his camp recently. One species he’s surprised not to have seen in his yard is RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à epaulettes]. The COMMON GRACKLES [Quiscale bronzé] and all the other regulars are patronizing, but for some reason, the Red-winged Blackbirds are not visiting.

**Jean Renton comments that en route to their Canaan Forks camp, they spotted a BARRED OWL [Chouette rayée] in a roadside tree during the day. At the camp, Jean is seeing lots of NORTHERN FLICKERS [Pic flamboyant] now. A pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS [Crécerelle d'Amérique] have returned to their regular nesting site, and WHITE-TAILED DEER [Chevreuil] are in the fields. Jean also came across an AMERICAN WOODCOCK [Bécasse d'Amérique] that seemed to be on a nest that froze motionless as she walked near it.

**GRAY SQUIRRELS [Écureuil gris] seem to be getting quite numerous in the city area of Moncton. Anna Tucker is noting them around Victoria and Alma Streets. Their increased presence gets mixed reviews. Anna also photographed a EUROPEAN STARLING [Étourneau sansonnet] showing that the white spotting of non-breeding plumage is wearing off, and the dark bill of winter is becoming yellow.

**Leigh Eaton’s humorous contributed photo of the bird’s nest got some interesting attention. David Owens’ comments are too good not to share, so I’m quoting him below.

“Viewing Leigh’s picture of the young Metric Birds being fed, I wonder if I can add them to my NB Bird List. I think the young-uns are likely 15 and 16 MM’s old and will leave the nest soon. I do hope the mother is feeding them metric nuts, not imperial. Thanks Leigh for lifting our spirits during this trying time.”

Another suggestion was that, being there is a CLARK’S NUTCRACKER species out west, maybe we could coin this one the “Eastern Nutcracker”! Thanks for the light comments to brighten the moment. The photo is rerun today.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton