Saturday, 18 March 2023

March 18 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 18, 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

**John Goobie photographed an evergreen plant on the Dobson trail on February 7. Some of us could not put a handle on the identity until Gart Bishop reviewed it to identify it as Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia).

This is a very common native plant but can surely fool neophyte botanists when we see a photo of this plant in midwinter showing off its greenery in a snowy background.

**Gordon Rattray is seeing and hearing birds getting into the spring mood. Gordon has heard Mourning Doves, White-throated Sparrows, and Black-capped Chickadees singing territory vocalizations. Gordon also had his first of spring visits from a Song Sparrow. Also present in his yard are several American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Gordon had an interesting event on Friday when an internet technician removed a Bald-faced Hornet nest from his tower. The nest was built last summer and was about 12 m up in the air. There were two dead wasps in the nest and some unmatured pupae. For contrast, Gordon includes a nest he collected several years ago.

**Dan Hicks, Director of Parks for the City of Moncton, has successfully applied for a grant from Trail Care Canada for the City of Moncton to partner with Nature Moncton for a habitat improvement project installing bird nest boxes on the Riverfront Trail in Moncton.

The plan is to erect approximately 20 Nest Boxes appropriately placed along the trail in early April.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

SONG SPARROW, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

SHEEP LAUREL. FEB 7, 2023. JOHN GOOBIE

BALD-FACED HORNET NEST COMB, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNETS. MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNET INSIDE NEST. MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

BALD-FACED HORNET NEST, MAR 17, 2023. GORDON RATTRAY

WASP NEST. GORDON RATTRAY

Friday, 17 March 2023

Marc 17 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 17, 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

**Yesterday, Fred Dube shared a photo of a juvenile Northern Goshawk. Today, John Massey sends nice photos of an adult Northern Goshawk again on duck prey in his Dieppe yard.

Again, note the pale grey eyebrow (supercilium) that contrasts sharply with dark auriculars, and the grey barred underparts with blue grey back.

** While driving near her home in St. Martins, Jane LeBlanc saw a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks flying overhead.

Jane also notes she had a total of 6 American Robins in her yard at one time this week, but since the supply of Mountain Ash berries has dried up, she's sure they will move on.

** A Western Screech Owl was sitting on a wall by the entrance of the house near where Lynda LeClerc is at the moment in California. The owner approached it, and it did not move. She actually touched its head, and it still did not move. She took a picture and then called the wildlife rescue people. They advised her how to catch it and put it in a cage. When she came back from getting the equipment and went to wrap it in a towel, it flew away. She hasn’t seen it since. Hopefully, it was just stunned from hitting something and is going on with its normal life.

** Many of us remember the days we watched those tall radio transmission towers on the Tantramar March for raptors.

Amanda Christie is an interdisciplinary artist working in experimental film, video installation, and more. Her Spectres of Shortwave film (about the radio towers that stood outside Sackville until they were removed a few years ago) is playing on March 23, at 7:30 pm at the Vogue Theatre in Sackville; It is screening as a part of the Sackville Film Society.

Here are two links for more information: http://spectresofshortwave.net/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/152492437136/

**It’s Friday and the day we review what next week’s night sky may have in store for us courtesy of sky guru Curt Nason.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2023, March 18 – March 25
Around 1930 the International Astronomical Union finalized the official constellations and their boundaries to cover the entire sky. Oddly, 22 of those 88 constellations begin with the letter “C.” Around 9 pm, we can see 11 of those and parts of three others, so rather than deep sea fishing, let’s go high C hunting. Starting in the west, we might catch the head of Cetus the Whale before it sets, and toward the south, Columba the Dove hugs the horizon below Lepus and Orion. Meanwhile, Cygnus the Swan flaps a wing above the northern horizon as it never sets completely for us.

Higher in the north the house of Cepheus the King is upright for a change. To his west we see the W-shape of his wife, Cassiopeia the Queen, and above them we might have to strain to see Camelopardalis the Giraffe. Looking southwest, to the left of Orion are his faithful big and little dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor. Barely visible above the little dog is Cancer the Crab, nestled nicely between Gemini and Leo. In the southeast, we have Corvus the Crow and Crater the Cup, both of which piggyback on Hydra. Tailing Leo high in the east is Coma Berenices, the locks of distressed Queen Berenice II of Egypt, and dogging Ursa Major is Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs. Finally, lower in the east, we see the Northern Crown, Corona Borealis.

This episode of Sky at a Glance was brought to you by the letter C and the number 14. As you find each C constellation, count out loud like the Count (One! That’s one C constellation, ah ha ha!), and for each one, you find you can reward yourself with ... COOKIE!

This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:26 am and sunset will occur at 7:28 pm, giving 12 hours, and 2 minutes of daylight (7:31 am and 7:33 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday, the Sun will rise at 7:13 am and set at 7:38 pm, giving 12 hours, 25 minutes of daylight (7:18 am and 7:42 pm in Saint John). On Monday at 6:24 pm, the Sun crosses the equator to begin the spring season in the northern hemisphere.

The Moon is new on Tuesday, and the razor-thin crescent appears to the left of Jupiter in evening twilight on Wednesday. Around 9 – 10 pm Friday, Uranus might be seen with binoculars two moon-widths to the left of the crescent Moon, with Venus about a fist-width below them. Mars makes a reddish-orange triangle with equally bright Aldebaran and brighter Betelgeuse during the week. Mercury has moved to the evening sky, setting 45 minutes after sunset by next weekend. Saturn rises 50 minutes before sunrise this weekend, a challenging binocular target a fist-width upper left of the waning crescent Moon on Sunday morning.

On Sunday evening at 8 pm, tune in to the Sunday Night Astronomy Show via the Facebook page or YouTube channel of Astronomy by the Bay.

Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (ADULT). JOHN MASSEY

RED-TAILED HAWK. MARCH 15, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

SCREECH OWL (WESTERN). MAR 16, 2023. VIA LYNDA LECLERC

C Constellations

Thursday, 16 March 2023

March 16 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 16, 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

**The Moncton Boat and Sportsman Show is happening on the weekend of March 24-26. Nature Moncton will have a booth at the show.

Fred and Sue Richards are taking the first 3-hour shift on March 24 and setting up with appropriate props. Fred has 3-hour volunteers for each timeslot the show is open but requires a second person for some slots. Volunteers to complete the slate are needed. If you can offer to do a slot, contact Fred at fredrichards@rogers.com or call Fred at 334-0100. All volunteers get free admission to the complete show.

All appreciation to Fred and Sue for the booth preparation and volunteer schedule to showcase Nature Moncton.

**Fred Dube was in the right place at the right time to get video footage and still photographs of a juvenile Northern Goshawk that took a female Mallard Duck as prey in his Lower Coverdale yard. We don’t often get to see this activity in our yards from this species of raptor. Check out the video action at the links below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/aff4yv96xxebjxq/NORTHERN%20GOSHAWK%20WITH%20MALLARD.%20MARCH%2015%2C%202023%2C%20FRED%20DUBE..MOV?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujryiktzzvzhilr/NORTHERN%20GOSHAWK%20WITH%20MALLARD.%20MARCH%2015%202023%2C%20FRED%20DUBE..MOV?dl=0

Fred also photographed some of the lively woodpecker action in a dead snag tree he placed in his yard, drilling holes that could be filled with suet. His resident Brown Creepers, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Red-breasted Nuthatch also find it attractive.

He also photographed American Goldfinch that are starting to show seasonal brightness to their plumage.

**Margie Scott-Rogers in Memramcook has had a pair of Northern Cardinals coming to her feeder yard together all winter. She also had a pair last winter but did not see them during the nesting season.

Being near the marsh, she also gets heavy traffic from Ring-necked Pheasants.

Margie’s yard is a dozen wing flaps from Yolande LeBlanc, leaving one to wonder if the birds may be part of that group. Hopefully, some new recruits from last year will make their home in both yards this season.

** Eric Wilson on Rural Estates Drive in the north end of Moncton got a simultaneous life look and lifer bird Wednesday afternoon. Eric has a “Wild Birds Unlimited” bird pole setup aside his home office window. Eric was pleased to have an inches away look at a Carolina Wren that has discovered sunflower seeds, millet, and the suet feeder. Eric is hoping for a return visit and perhaps the bird becoming a regular patron.

** Brian Stone visited Rockwood Park in Saint John on Tuesday and sends some photos of the interesting Mallard Duck that is presently residing in the pond at the Interpretation Centre. (Editor’s note: the white in the neck and upper breast area would tend to suggest some domestic origin in this hybrid duck).

He also got pictures of some gulls at the same spot. Further in the park, a Turkey Vulture flew close overhead as the Sun displayed a vivid 22° Solar Halo, portending the inclement weather on the way.

(Editor’s note: note the Herring Gull and the Ring-billed Gull in Brian’s photos have both lost the spots and streaks on the head of the winter adult, indicating a molt to spring/summer plumage).

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

CAROLINA WREN. MAR 15, 2023. ERIC WILSON

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (IMMATURE). MARCH 15, 2023, FRED DUBE

NORTHERN CARDINAL (MALE) AND RING-NECKED PHEASANT (FEMALE). MAR 15, 2023. MARGIE SCOTT-ROGERS

NORTHERN CARDINAL (FEMALE). MAR 15, 2023. MARGIE SCOTT-ROGERS

BROWN CREEPER. MAR 15, 2023. FRED DUBE

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. MARCH 15, 2023, FRED DUBE

MALLARD DUCK HYBRID. MAR.14, 2023., BRIAN STONE

TURKEY VULTURE. MAR.14, 2023. BRIAN STONE

DOWNY WOODPECKER(FEMALE). MARCH 15, 2023, FRED DUBE

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. MARCH 15, 2023. FRED DUBE

HERRING GULL AND RING-BILLED GULL. MAR.14, 2023. BRIAN STONE

RING-BILLED GULL. MAR.14, 2023. BRIAN STONE

SOLAR HALO (22°). MAR.14, 2023. BRIAN STONE

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

March 15 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 15, 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

**Louise Nichols took advantage of the sunny spring weather on Monday to explore some spots around Memramcook and Dorchester, including a long walk down Dorchester Island Rd. to the Memramcook River. The morning hoarfrost created some beautiful scenery just about everywhere. Birds were still few and far between. The best bird sighting Louise had was an adult Red-tailed Hawk in flight lit by the sun while she was driving with another car behind her and nowhere to pull over. She also saw -- while she was driving -- a small flock of eiders flying up the river. Otherwise, she saw a few of the typical winter birds. Louise attaches some photos.

(Editor's note: when zooming in on Louise's photo of Maritime Sunburst Lichen, the numerous fruiting bodies typical of this lichen species show well)

**Jane LeBlanc in St. Martins has heard Canada Geese in the marsh the last few days as she was walking her dog. In her yard on Tuesday, just before the snow started, she saw several Common Grackles and a bright-looking pair of American Robins feeding on the Mountain Ash berries.

(Editor’s note: the latter two arrivals must very much appreciate the berries Jane stored for them last fall!)

**Shannon Inman could not relocate the Brant she saw on the Shepody River on Monday. The tide was partly out, so possibly it/they were out in the bay, or it was just a brief stay. She did get a photo of a handsomely attired male Hooded Merganser.

Behind their home, 9 White-tailed Deer were going to attempt a crossing of the Shepody River. Two deer tried the mud, but after further discussion, they decided to try another spot.

**Daryl Doucette photographed a prime-appearing Woolly Bear Caterpillar strolling across the warm pavement of his driveway on Tuesday.

This caterpillar is the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth, which overwinters as the caterpillar stage and can be found happily roaming about, especially during the first few warm days of late winter. It can even be seen moving about on warm days in midwinter. It will go into the pupal (cocoon) stage for a brief period in spring before emerging as the flying adult Isabella Tiger Moth.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

AMERICAN ROBIN. MARCH 14, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

COMMON GRACKLE. MARCH 14, 2023. JANE LEBLANC

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. MARCH 13, 2023. LOUISE NICHOLS

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. MARCH 13, 2023. LOUISE NICHOLS

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. MARCH 13, 2023. LOUISE NICHOLS

HOODED MERGANSER (MALE). MAR 14, 2023. SHANNON INMAN

WHITE-TAILED DEER. MAR 14, 2023. SHANNON INMAN

MARITIME SUNBURST LICHEN. MARCH 13, 2023. LOUISE NICHOLS

WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR. MAR 14, 2023. DARYL DOUCETTE

MEMRAMCOOK RIVER. MARCH 13, 2023. LOUISE NICHOLS

Tuesday, 14 March 2023

March 14 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 14, 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

**Fred Dube comments on a seasonal scenario Monday morning when they had 5 Hairy Woodpeckers chasing one another around trees in their Lower Coverdale yard. Everyone wants to get a territory around a good food supply!

** John Inman sends a note on the Canada Goose arrival now at approximately 1300 in the Harvey area as of Monday.

Late in the day at high tide across the Shepody River, Shannon Inman noticed a few Brant and Northern Pintail ducks among a small flock of Canada Geese. She was going to check today for a possible photo op.

(Editor’s note: are they trying to beat the forecasted upcoming storm, or will they just be in for a surprise?!).

**On Monday afternoon, Brian Coyle noticed 2 Brown Creepers busily feeding on Spruce trees in his backyard and was fortunate to be able to photograph one of them as it rested. At times, both individuals were quite vocal.

**Brian Coyle shares more action from his video camera setups.

One shows a healthy-looking Red Fox paying a visit to Brian’s now famed ‘coyote rock’ that other species find a popular spot to drop by as well.

Take a look at the action at the video links attached below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yoosszdzae3uqt7/Brian%20Coyle%20...%20Coyote%201.MP4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e9b5ezdxh0wo9uc/Brian%20Coyle%20...%20Coyote%202.MP4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rhh1ar6uurdpeoo/Brian%20Coyle%20...%20Red%20Fox.mp4?dl=0

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton