Nature Moncton Nature
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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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observations/photos with Nature News, contact the editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
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Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca
**David Cannon comments “I
understand seeing an American goldfinch is not rare; the four we saw today
were unusual November visitors to our feeder station in the woods in
Irishtown. Our experience is that they are usually spring visitors.”
(Editor’s note: At many
birdfeeder yards, the American goldfinch is a welcome visitor all winter with
the males in their non-breeding plumage.)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. DAVID CANNON. NOV. 13, 2026
**Christine Lever spotted
a red fox on high alert in Riverview Friday as a lawn service company
made a horrendous racket clearing every last vestige of fall leaves (and all
the pollinators and other insects taking shelter within) from a property a few
houses away. The young fox was interrupted in his pursuit of a grey squirrel by
the din. He sprinted off, leaving time only for a quick documentary photo
through a window.
**Third time was the charm
for Jane LeBlanc to see the tropical kingbird in Saint John. It was in
the same area where it was first reported over a week ago by Jim Wilson.
**Nelson Poirier appreciated a visit to the Restigouche Naturalist Club in Campbellton on Thursday evening to take in an incredible session on winter buds given by Gart Bishop, followed by a Friday morning field trip into woodland areas to put the visuals to the real test.
Gart and Nelson were very
appreciative of the kind reception from the club members and learned a lot
about the club that we don’t hear much from.
We hope that is about to
change, and strict orders were delivered to them to share some of their observations in
the northern part of our province.
There was one report of large numbers of Bohemian waxwings, which we expect to move south, devouring fruit. They had no pictures to share (Grrrr)!
This Week’s Sky at a
Glance, 2026 November 14 – November 21
Like Nate the pirate in the Overboard comics, some people do not want to let go
of summer. But you have to accept the inevitable, so around 8:30 pm this week
don your coat and imagination to say goodbye to the summer constellations as
they sink below the western horizon.
The first thing you might notice is the Summer Triangle, balanced on
Altair and tipping to the right. Aquila the Eagle, with Altair at its head, is
flapping furiously and futilely to stay above ground, a battle it will lose
over two hours. To its right, Hercules is diving head first, hopefully into a
lake. Between them, if you are in the country, you might see the haze of the
Milky Way spilling over the ground, perhaps to become frost. Four smaller
constellations form a line above Altair, highlighted by Lyra to the right with
its brilliant star Vega. Foxy Vulpecula, Sagitta the Arrow and eye-catching
Delphinus the Dolphin are balanced across the eagle’s wingspan. While you are
at it, try for the triangular head of Equuleus the Little Horse, who leads his
big brother Pegasus by a nose.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:18 and sunset will occur at 4:48, giving
9 hours, 30 minutes of daylight (7:21 and 4:55 in Saint John). Next Saturday
the Sun will rise at 7:28 and set at 4:41, giving 9 hours, 13 minutes of
daylight (7:30 and 4:49 in Saint John).
The Moon is at first quarter on Tuesday and telescope users might catch the
Lunar X inside the shadow around sunset Monday. Mars and Jupiter rise
before midnight and they are close together high in the south this Saturday
morning, within a binocular view of Regulus. Venus is just above Spica in Virgo
this weekend, rising before 5 am. Mercury rises well before 6 am, and it reaches
greatest elongation from the Sun on Thursday. Saturn is at its best for
telescope observing in the mid-evening. The Leonid meteor shower peaks on
Tuesday evening, adding a few extra shootings stars that morning and Wednesday.
Tune in to the Sunday Night Astronomy Show at 8 pm on the Facebook page or
YouTube site of Astronomy by the Bay.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
