Nature Moncton Nature News: March 21 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 21, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Tonight, Tuesday, March 21, is Nature Moncton meeting night at 7 PM at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge. Details below:

The Nature Moncton March meeting will take place this coming Tuesday night, March 21, at 7:00 PM, when Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, will give a live presentation at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It will also be available virtually.

The presentation write-up is below:

Nature Moncton March Meeting

March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director, PWA

“Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance update”

The Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance has a wide variety of current and past projects. Generally, these fit into 4 general categories: scientific monitoring, habitat improvement, environmental assessment, and education & outreach. Together, these themes provide a rounded approach to restoring and protecting the ecological services of the water systems that flow into Shepody Bay through science-based research, action, and public outreach.

This year the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance is celebrating 25 years of incorporation, and 26 since its inception. To celebrate, the PWA is ramping up in some key areas to increase its impact and improve environmental monitoring, health, and education in our watershed. The organization has launched new branding, communications strategies, and a new website that better highlights their work and includes interactive features to learn more about the PWA’s work, the watershed, and some key aspects of environmental management in the region. The PWA has also moved to a new location that increases its capacity and the types of activities it can pursue, while also taking on some new projects to revitalize its work and increase impact. At the same time, the organization continues to pursue its long-standing projects in green infrastructure, water quality monitoring and restoring fish passage for species such as the endangered iBoF Salmon. PWA Executive Director Kelsey Wilson will share updates on these projects -- comprising some results from their 2022 field season -- and give us a glimpse of what is coming to launch the organization into its next 25 years, including ways to get involved in hands-on projects that improve the health of our local waterways.

This meeting will be in person at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge, but anyone is welcome to join virtually from anywhere at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467213229?pwd=elZ5cFA4V3pjUDNnYURZcVRQd1NFUT09

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

**Steve Berube has heard a Red-Bellied Woodpecker in their Riverview neighbourhood on early morning dog walks (Merlin ap confirmed). On Monday, Sue and Steve happened to be home when it paid a visit to the suet feeder and a yard maple tree.

The pair of Pileated Woodpeckers still visit daily and Sue and Steve are becoming very accustomed to them moving about the yard. This allows them the opportunity to observe behaviours. Attached is a photo of one eating snow.

**Lynn and Fred Dube have suspected a Flying Squirrel has been using a bird nest box in their Lower Coverdale yard as they have noticed it put the run to a Red Squirrel trying to investigate.

They were able to prove it in the dying embers of light on Monday with a trail camera photo.

** Jane LeBlanc had a Sharp-shinned Hawk land in the birch tree outside her window on Monday. The morning patrons at her bird feeder had left for the day, so its timing was a bit off.

Walking her dog later near high tide, she saw numerous Canada Geese in the marsh in St. Martins.

Arriving back at her driveway, a large shadow went over, turning out to be a Turkey Vulture.

** Always nice to get a report from Doreen Rossiter’s bellwether feeder yard in Alma.

On Saturday, March 18^th, Doreen had her first influx of spring birds with 9 Common Grackles, 3 male Red-winged Blackbirds and 4 American Robins.

The pair of Northern Cardinals are still regular visitors, and the female Red-bellied Woodpecker still puts in an occasional appearance. The Downy Woodpeckers have been seen checking out one of the birdhouses in the yard. Most winter regulars are still around including Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Starlings, Mourning Doves, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Rock Pigeons, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

**Georges Brun noted a Raven perched on Château Moncton that at first appeared to have a white patch in the chest area, but on closer observation of the photo, it would appear like an old injury that is healing.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton