Nature Moncton Nature News: April 2 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 2, 2024

Nature Moncton members as well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond are invited to share their photos and descriptions of recent nature sightings to build a fresh (almost) daily edition of Nature News

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

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Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

The live feed to the Peregrine Falcon nest box camera can be accessed at https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam

**The Peregrine Falcon laid her first egg just after 8 AM on Tuesday morning. Many people who are live streaming were able to see it happening. Brian Stone got a screenshot that shows the mother and her prize.

**While across from The Chocolate River Station observation platform, Georges Brun was checking for nesting sites for Canada Geese when a particular gull caught his eye. He got a
photograph of an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that had stopped by.
(Editors note: George’s photo nicely shows the brilliant yellow legs, slate-coloured mantle, and longer primary projection compared to the larger Great Black-backed Gull.
This species of gull can appear in this area at this time of year sometimes in significant numbers. It would appear there is a lot yet to be known about the North American migratory patterns of this gull as to where it is coming from and where it is going. It is thought the birds we are seeing here may be moving through from Greenland but where are they going from here? The editor stands be corrected should any recent information be available.)

**Lance Harris has had a flock of finches in his backyard all week feasting on the sunflower seeds. They were all bright or female pale yellow; then the splash of colour went reddish with the arrival of four male Purple Finch.

**The Ruffed Grouse seems to have a reputation for occasionally smashing hard into windows with unfortunate results.
Bob Blake had a Ruffed Grouse make its last flight into their bathroom window on Monday with a violent smash!

**Georges Brun was checking the Peregrine Falcon nest camera at 1:05 AM on Monday morning to find a bird on the nest with his head tucked in his feathers. Could this be real sleep?

Georges spotted a Beaver as it made its way up the Petitcodiac River from downriver and let its picture be taken as it swam and walked up Halls Creek.

That’s not all! Georges also spotted some bunnies right in downtown Moncton that were still dressed in winter white!

**Shannon Inman photographed several bees seemingly very content to find blooming pollen-laden Crocus flowers. Most appear to be domestic Honeybees but one that is arrowed is presumed to be one of the early Andrena species. Look closely and you will see clumps of pollen attached to their legs.

**The Coltsfoot is one of our earliest wild plants to burst into bloom and welcome pollinators.

Brian Stone sends some photos of newly blooming Coltsfoot flowers he saw at McLaren Pond in Fundy National Park on Monday afternoon.

**Daryl Doucette also has an attractive array of Crocus in full bloom waiting for pollinators

**Lots of folks are enjoying the antics of the Peregrine Falcons at their nest box. Jessica Belanger-Mainville got a screenshot of one of the birds taking a very close look at the camera.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton