NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
January 27, 2025
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**Jane LeBlanc notes her flock of Evening Grosbeaks now
numbers over 30. She also had a White-Breasted Nuthatch, White-Throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and the Hermit Thrush was back for more Mountain
Ash berries, which Jane had scattered over the snow.
Jane's neighbour in St. Martins reports both his Pine
Warbler and Red-bellied Woodpecker are still around.
Later in the day, Jane went outside to get different
angles of photos and saw a Canada Jay on the Witch Hazel shrub at
the same time as the Hermit Thrush. She also got a somewhat better photo
of a Golden-crowned Kinglet.
(Editor’s note: note the yellow blooms of the Witch Hazel
shrub are still present at the end of January despite the recent cold days.
What incredible botanical antifreeze this plant must have!)
(Editor’s note: Jane’s Golden-crowned Kinglets numbering two or three are feeding at a Dollarama suet block. It is uncommon for Golden-crowned
Kinglets to use birdfeeder yards. I had the same scenario one winter many years
ago, and the use of the suet block continued all winter. John Massey also had
Golden-crowned Kinglets come to peanut butter one winter some years ago.)
**Nelson Poirier made whistle stops at the Foch Bridge in
Shediac and Rue Niles in Cap-Pele on Sunday (in snow flurries). Surprisingly
the only activity at Rue Niles was several Snow Buntings.
In the open water on either side of the Foch Bridge in
Shediac, approximately 50 goldeneye were enjoying themselves. The group was
very predominantly Barrow’s Goldeneye with only a few Common Goldeneye
noted among them. There were what appeared to be several immature first-year
male Barrow’s Goldeneye. One would wonder if Barrow’s Goldeneye have had a
productive year, as other reports seem to suggest high numbers as well.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
