Nature Moncton Nature News: February 12, 2015

** Louise Nichols got some great observations and photos of a female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER [Pic à dos noir] that came to work a snag near her Sackville home. Louise has had this bird at the snag on one previous occasion for sure and as BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS often do it did not fly when she got nearer and remained on its mission for some time. She also heard it vocalizing. Note the typical Black-backed Woodpecker workings in the photos.

** Anne Marsch still has a female NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] she shares with a neighbour to her Lower Coverdale yard. She also had one male and two female PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] come by on Wednesday as well as a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur].

** Our fruit tray continues to get lots of attention. On Wednesday BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] came in small groups at times over 30 but very unpredictable on timing. They continue to demolish the mountain ash supply but seem to have difficulty downing the grapes so will have to try crushing them as at the rate they are going through the mountain ash berries that supply will soon be exhausted. Our resident NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD [Moqueur polyglotte] decided to pay more attention to the fruit tray on Wednesday as well and seemed to be able to handle the grapes fine. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD went between peanut butter, sunflower chips and fruit so diversifying its diet from previously peanut butter only.

**Brian Stone also briefly spotted a small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in his yard fruit tree that had at least one PINE GROSBEAK [Durbec des sapins] travelling with them.

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca