Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 8 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Feb 8, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Daryl Doucette spotted approximately 60 Bohemian Waxwings enjoying crab apples on 2 trees at 80 Upland St. near Frampton Lane. For some reason, this particular tree has been popular with fruit connoisseur birds for the last few years. In the past, Bohemian Waxwings have been joined by Pine Grosbeaks and American Robins.

**Jamie Burris’ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continues to visit their Riverview yard, and another bonus woodpecker appeared when a male Pileated Woodpecker returned on Tuesday.

(Editor’s note: the Nature Moncton Birdfeeder Tour will be visiting Jamie’s yard on Saturday).

**John Inman photographed an immature Bald Eagle passing over checking on what the ravens and crows were up to, offering a pleasant spread-wing view.

**Jane LeBlanc in St. Martins counted her Evening Grosbeaks on Tuesday morning at 50. (Editor’s note: Evening Grosbeaks are surely having a good year and many people are enjoying that striking flash of yellow in their feeder yards).

Jane also had a Ruffed grouse in the birch tree just outside her house at dusk. It is the first one she has seen this year. Normally, the grouse enjoy that birch tree all winter.

**Brian Stone's wife (and super excellent bird spotter) Annette noticed a new visitor to their backyard on Tuesday as she was looking out their kitchen window. A healthy-looking Ruffed Grouse was nipping buds in the shrubs behind their house, and a bit of bright sun highlighted it so that photos through the window turned out pretty well. Also noticed was an adult Bald Eagle perching in a distant tree top some distance behind the house.

**On Sunday, Brian Stone visited Nelson Poirier and took some photos of the birds at his feeders, including American Tree Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, American Goldfinch, White-throated Sparrow, female Northern Cardinal, and male Downy Woodpecker. The Nature Moncton Feeder Tour will visit this feeder yard this coming Saturday.

(Editor’s note: Two Chipping Sparrows and 2 female Red-winged Blackbirds that don’t normally overwinter with us seem to be handling the cold snap showing no signs of distress).

**2022 Moncton circle Christmas Bird Count

Compiled by Moncton CBC Coordinater Roger LeBlanc

The 62nd Moncton circle Christmas Bird Count was held on December the 17^th in pretty menacing weather. But in the end, it was not so bad, at least not until midafternoon, and this resulted in an above average count. 28 field observers and 24 feeder watchers helped make our Christmas Bird Count a success with 54 species on count day and 3 more for count week totaling 12,136 individuals. This was a bit higher than our “normal” average of 52 for the last 10 years. Weather wise, temperatures hovered around +2C with winds from the Northwest at an acceptable 30ks and some very light precipitation. The ground was mostly frozen and there was a bit of snow on the ground but most streams were flowing. An in-depth analysis of results was prepared by our compiler Roger Leblanc, and it can be found on our web site by clicking the bar Moncton CBC. It reflects on the ups and downs and all-rounds of this year’s Moncton CBC. Thanks to all that participated and to Susan Atkinson for taking on again the task of organizing and compiling the feeder watch and preparing a great hot chicken soup for the tally up. And it should be noted that it was our first live tally-up in 3 years because of the pandemic. So fun stuff and hope to see you all again next year.

Species for Moncton CBC (17 / 12 / 2022)

On count day

Canada Goose 145

Mallard 561

American Black Duck 43

Northern Pintail 1

Green-winged Teal 1

Ring-necked Pheasant 33

Rock Pigeon 780

Mourning Dove 220

Ring-billed Gull 15

Herring Gull 2661