Editor & Proofreader

Editor: Nelson Poirier    Proofreader: Louise Nichols

Sunday 22 January 2023

Jan 23 2023

 

 

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/

 

 

 

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

 Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

 

 

 

 

 

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. JAN 22, 2023.  DAVID CANNON

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. JAN 22, 2023.  DAVID CANNON

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (REVIVING ITSELF). JAN 22, 2023.   DAVID CANNON

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (REVIVING ITSELF). JAN 22, 2023.   DAVID CANNON

EVENING GROSBEAKS, NOV 20, 2022. NICOLE FERRIS

EVENING GROSBEAKS, NOV 20, 2022. NICOLE FERRIS

PILEATED WOODPECKER WORKINGS. JAN 22, 2022. LISA MORRIS

TREE NEST CAVITY. JAN 22, 2023. LISA MORRIS

PORCUPINE TRAIL (SUSPECTED). JAN 22, 2023. LISA MORRIS

PORCUPINE TRAIL (SUSPECTED). JAN 22, 2023. LISA MORRIS

SUNSPOT. JAN. 22, 2023. BRIAN STONE

SUNSPOT. JAN. 22, 2023. BRIAN STONE