Nature Moncton Nature News: April 27 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 27, 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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The live feed to the Peregrine Falcon nest box camera can be accessed at https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam

**Louise Nichols found what looked to be a pellet in the woods, just below her trail cam on Friday. The pellet was very light weight, about four inches long, and consisting mostly of fur and some bones. Louise broke the pellet into four pieces and could see a small skull in one of the pieces. The skull was about one cm. in length. The pellet was close to the trail cam, but unfortunately, none of the videos on the trail cam revealed the creature who left it.

In consultation with Alyre Chiasson, his interesting reply is:

“Looks like a Short-tailed Shrew skull. See here: https://craniatescuriosities.com/2023/08/15/short-tailed-shrew-skull-00550/

The reddish-brown color of the teeth is also an indicator, plus no canine teeth. I don't know of any mammal that regurgitates skulls.”

**More Glossy Ibis!

On Friday Gordon Rattray went to the Hillsborough wetland ponds to record specimens for the Nature New Brunswick bioblitz and observed many birds on the water. The highlight for Gordon was the discovery, with the assistance of another birder from Cocagne, of a single Glossy Ibis. Many waterfowl were observed: American Wigeon, Canada Goose, Gadwall pair, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and Northern Shoveler. There were Palm Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, and Tree Sparrows. In the plant/lichen department, Gordon got pictures of a Maritime Sunburst Lichen, Common Tansy new growth, and male Pussy Willow.

** John Inman comments on some of the behaviour of his birdfeeder patrons. A male Downy Woodpecker was not happy the female was enjoying the suet but soon settled down and they fed in harmony. Three Northern Flickers were feeding in close quarters until a disagreement broke out.

**It’s always a treat to see the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arriving.
Yolande LeBlanc in Memramcook had one that arrived a few days ago. It was acting very shy but soon got over that to sample the feeder menu, and surprisingly decided suet was a favourite.

**Mac Wilmot’s grandson got quite a surprise when a Groundhog stood for a good look at him in their Bridgedale yard. He dashed into the house with amazement. "There's a frigging beaver out there." Young naturalists take a few years to bloom!

**It soon will be the changeover time when we will not be seeing Bohemian Waxwings but Cedar Waxwings will be arriving to replace them.
Aldo Dorio noticed several Bohemian Waxwings present at Hay Island on Friday and was also pleased to have a female American Kestrel in his Neguac yard.

** On Wednesday Brian Stone visited the Hillsborough Wetlands trail and also stopped in at the Lower Coverdale lagoon to take a few photos. At Lower Coverdale, he had his first sighting of Savannah Sparrows of the season and also saw many male Red-winged Blackbirds. A group of several Green-winged Teal ducks flew past and many Ring-necked ducks were still the predominant patron of the lagoon. On the ground, he noted a fair number of small, dark Mining Bees landing on the trail around the lagoon.

At Hillsborough Brian photographed the better side of a couple of nice bright Palm Warblers. He also got Blue-winged Teal ducks, a Canada Goose, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Song Sparrow. A fearless Ruby-crowned Kinglet came close and gave him a good examination with obvious disapproval. A small White-tailed Deer confused Brian for a moment when he thought it was someone's loose dog. Brian's favorite moment of the day came at the end as he was almost off the trail when a small blue Northern Azure Butterfly decided to land close for a photo session. This was his first one of the season.