Nature Moncton Nature News: December 9 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Dec 9, 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

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 and proofreader Louise Nichols at Nicholsl@eastlink.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** The December Nature Moncton meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday evening, December 10.

The greeting cards and membership forms will be available at the meeting.

Alain Clavette will give the monthly presentation with the write-up at the end of this edition and upfront tomorrow.

**Georges Brun reports a Peregrine Falcon is seen at least every other day atop the Assumption Place logo. The pair are sometimes seen there together, but when the wind blows from the northeast, they tend to perch on the logo on the south side of the building. Georges was surprised to see one atop the communication tower of the Aliant building prior to the snow and wind we received. He was able to get very distant documentary photos.

Georges only started to see ice in the river the last few days. White-coloured ice is a sign of freshwater frozen and the darker ice has more sediments and salt content and usually is dark brown. An Iceland Gull was photographed flying overhead.

There are always relatively large flocks of Crows every day starting around 3 p.m. when they return from the Dieppe Blvd. area.

Georges has seen a male and female Northern Harrier working the Riverview Marsh.

Georges also was able to have a Golden-crowned Kinglet stay still long enough for a photo on Saturday.

Georges spotted a flock of 23+ Snow Buntings doing a fly pass along the Petitcodiac River by the Riverview Marsh on Sunday. They flew by without so much as a Hello!

**Lynn and Fred Dube have been getting a variety of birds recently to their Lower Coverdale yard. Red Breasted Nuthatches, Hairy woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, male Pileated Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Brown Creepers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, and Crows. On Sunday, Lynn photographed the male Pileated Woodpecker and a Brown Creeper. Lynn comments “It's so nice to have feed out again and enjoy the birds.”

**Jane LeBlanc took some photos out her St. Martins window in the snow on Sunday, noting most of the usual birds were there, including Northern Cardinal, Purple Finch, and from a few days ago, one of three Ruffed Grouse.

**Norbert Dupuis shares another photo of his brilliant male Northern Cardinal buddying up to a Blue Jay.

(Editor’s note: Cornell’s Birds of the World comments that the Northern Cardinal really is brighter in the winter, so it is not necessarily the white snow that makes their brilliance flash. They point out that the cardinal molts a new fresh plumage in late fall when their nesting mission is complete. So yes, they can be very striking against a snow background, and for good reason.)

**Susan Atkinson is asking for a heads-up to all with birdfeeders in the Moncton CBC zone:

Nature Moncton’s 64th Christmas Birdfeeder Count (CBC)

Saturday, December 14, 2024

"Greetings to all birder enthusiasts who live in the Greater Moncton area. Do you enjoy watching birds at your feeders? By supplementing the food supply of our winged friends during the winter, you are giving them a great helping hand.

On Saturday, December 14^th, 2024, Nature Moncton will once again be participating in the North American-wide annual Christmas bird count, and our success depends on your participation. For this 65^th year of the Moncton count, can we get 65 feeders reporting? This is your chance to help us reach that goal. If you are at home, even if just for a short time, please note the birds you see at your feeders. If you have a neighbour who would also be interested, please forward this message.

If you have previously participated in the Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) or are new to this Annual Citizen Science survey, please join us in this exciting event. The work is little, and the rewards are great. Simply note what you see at your feeders that day. Touch base with Susan to get the form to be completed at susandatkinson@hotmail.com"

**Nelson Poirier had a large raptor visit his Moncton yard to check out the menu on Sunday and allowed a few quick photographs. Tree branches photobombed some details, but it very strongly suggested juvenile Cooper’s Hawk.

The Lincoln's sparrow continues to be present, buddying up with a Mourning Dove at dusk on Sunday.

**NATURE MONCTON DECEMBER MONTHLY MEETING PRESENTATION

Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7 PM

Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Alain Clavette

Topic: “The ‘Ducks Unlimited Effect’ and the Importance of their Treasured Wetland Program”

Naturalists don’t need to be convinced that wetlands are important, but it is surprising to learn just how important they are! This presentation will look at data that will show how over 50 years of work conserving wetlands has made a crucial difference, not only in terms of species abundance but also through the contribution made by wetlands to carbon sequestration. The Ducks Unlimited “Treasured Wetland Program” is directed toward people who might not otherwise be inclined to protect nature, and Alain will explain elements of the program which are geared to bring people on board in an understanding of how wetlands work.

As Outreach Coordinator for Ducks Unlimited Canada, Alain has been able to share his lifelong passion for birds with others. Familiar to many through his weekly birding column on CBC radio, Alain studied Biology at the Université de Moncton and taught the ornithology course there in the winter sessions from 2017 to 2021. Throughout the years, Alain has inspired others with his love of birds through field outings, presentations, and annual pelagic excursions in the Bay of Fundy off Grand Manan.

Come out and enjoy Alain’s enthusiasm as he shares with us his knowledge of wetlands. This will be an in-person presentation at the Rotary Lodge, but anyone can join via Zoom at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81499074961?pwd=z6BmYCjeA9az8sE7ASlP2J7WWIOozZ.1

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton