Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 31 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Jan 30, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Brian Coyle was able to get some excellent examples of Bobcat and Coyote tracks. One of Brian’s photos shows the track of these two animals side-by-side for clear comparison. Note the roundness of the Bobcat track, no nail imprint, and relatively large heel pad. The Coyote track is more pointed, shows nail imprint, and heel pad showing smaller than they would be expected from a Bobcat.

Brian also was able to get some very pleasant photos of a male Pileated Woodpecker searching out its meal.

**Some of us may remember the days when Mourning Doves were not part of the New Brunswick landscape. This species has gravitated north to become one of our most common feeder yard birds.

Bob Blake in Second North River comments his regular troupe of 8 abruptly swelled to 23 on Sunday. (Editor’s note: I have been trying to convince my troupe of 30 that cracked corn should be their first choice so I can afford to eat as well!)

**A heads up to slot off Saturday, February 11 to partake in the popular Nature Moncton birdfeeder tour. Covid-19 has cancelled this for the last few years so the opportunity to get together again to start off the day with pancakes, maple syrup, homemade baked beans, and sausage with an active birdfeeder yard to watch while enjoying breakfast will be welcomed by all. The group will briefly stop by other birdfeeder yards with the last stop at a birdfeeder yard with fresh French onion soup awaiting hungry birders!

Write-up below:

NATURE MONCTON ANNUAL BIRD FEEDER TOUR

Date: Saturday February 11^th, 2023 (rain date: Sunday February 12^th)

Meeting Place: The Moncton Coliseum parking lot

Time: 8:30 AM

Sometimes the most exciting winter birds can be found taking advantage of good feeder yards. Birds such as Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-breasted Nuthatches frequent the feeders of a lucky few, not to mention the occasional visit from a hungry hawk.

This year, we are eager to announce that Nature Moncton’s bird feeder tour will take place for the first time since before the pandemic on Saturday, February 11th. Participants are asked to meet at 8:30 AM at the northeast corner of the coliseum parking lot to arrange car-pooling if desired. The first stop will be the Renton’s in Stilesville (1460 Gorge Rd) to see the many birds in their well-stocked feeder yard while socializing over a delicious pancake, maple syrup, sausage, and bean breakfast. Participants are asked to contribute some goodies. After leaving the Renton’s, the group will travel to various feeder yards in both Riverview and Moncton to finally end up at Nelson Poirier’s (at 85 Mount Royal Blvd.) later in the afternoon for further socializing and a French Onion soup treat.

Come and enjoy a day with fellow birding enthusiasts along with the excitement of seeing what turns up at the visited feeders.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

**The message below arrived in the Nature Moncton mailbox.

“My name is Jenna McDermott, and I'm the assistant coordinator for the Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas. We're going to be hosting a 12-week webinar series on identifying birds starting on Monday, and I'm wondering if you would be willing/able to share this information through your channels. This is a post that can be shared on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NLBreedingBirdAtlas/posts/pfbid0TKBuKYFco9CHyRMUt7Mi3UZPuZGwPirrY6ksDk5AQLKipzyMFmLG9gCp8xkagBVal, and people can register for each session here https://nf.birdatlas.ca/upcoming-events/.”

(Editor’s note: Nelson Poirier attended several of these Zoom webinars last winter, and they were absolutely excellent. Very highly recommended).

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton