NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
Jan 23, 2023
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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Proofreading
courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca
** On Sunday
morning, a Sharp-shinned Hawk decided to visit David and Anita Cannon’s feeder
station. They noticed it as one of the patrons, a Red-Breasted Nuthatch,
flew into their bay window at a high speed, stunning itself while
simultaneously making quite a loud bang. The hawk, 31 cm in length (12.4")
as per the dimensions of the feeder directly underneath it, sat around for five
minutes while the Red-Breasted Nuthatch hung upside down outside their window.
Four minutes after the hawk departed, the nuthatch righted itself and flew
off.
**Nicole
Ferris is yet another of the birdfeeder yards enjoying the presence of Evening
Grosbeaks this season at her Canaan Forks feeder station. They have been gradually increasing over the past
few seasons but this one has been special.
As a memory
of summer, Nicole shares a photo of a Lobster Mushroom she gathered that
Nicole, like many others, enjoys as a choice wild edible.
** Pat Gibbs
comments it seems that the happy Ring-necked Pheasant family of Mom,
Dad, 3 males, and 4 females that hatched and grew up in her yard are now at
odds. The days are slightly longer, and it seems the males have started
fighting over territory in preparation for the spring mating season. Probably
all the males but one will be driven away from her yard soon and she will be sad
to see them go but for now, they are making for some exciting action in her garden. (Editor’s note: lengthening days make wildlife start to think
of family planning)
Take a look
at the action at the video link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v7l4b02j778ii45/Pat%20Gibbs%20Pheasants.mp4?dl=0
Pat Gibbs took notice
when the Blog mentioned Brian's chilly challenges on astronomy photos on cold
nights and she found something which may make quite a difference with comfort level on cold nights and
quite potentially cold days as well. Some others may well be interested
in what Pat found. Check it out at the link below:
https://utwpods.com/products/photopod
**Lisa Morris noticed a few
tracks in the woods snowshoeing (not on a trail) in Kent County. She
photographed one track trail that appears to be that of a Porcupine. Porcupine
trails often show a tail drag and sometimes evidence of urine staining. Neither
appears in Lisa’s photo so very open to other suggestions. There were lots of Snowshoe
Hare tracks and a few White-tailed Deer.
Lisa also photographed a snag tree
that appeared to be worked on by a Pileated Woodpecker.
A photo of a very clean nest cavity
opening in an Aspen tree suggested it may be getting winter use with Flying
Squirrels being a possibility.
**Brian Stone
sends a photo of the Sun from Sunday morning showing the giant Sunspot
AR3190 that is slowly moving across the face of the Sun. Brian was hoping
for a clear day to occur before the sunspot went around and behind the Sun and
on Sunday (an apt day for Sun photography) Brian finally got his wish. He used
a mylar solar filter taped across the front lens of his camera as direct, magnified
sunlight streaming through the camera lens can damage it and might not be good
for the camera sensor either, not to mention the serious damage it would do
to the human eye if not filtered properly. He also used only the
camera's LCD screen to view to prevent exposure to any possible and disastrous
light leakage from his home made solar filter.
https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/
Nelson Poirier
Nature
Moncton