** Bob Grant at Cape Spear, near Cape Tormentine, reports on a week of
activity around his feeder yard, with some unexpected species. Earlier in the
week, he was surprised to have a HORNED LARK [Alouette hausse-col] appear in the
feeding area, to be joined by a second one later in the week. A female HAIRY
WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] has started pecking at a door casing, which puts his
cat on high alert. A NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] perched on the peak of
his shed but did not stay; that does indicate that one is in that area. At least
one NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL [Grand Polatouche] has started coming to his
feeders at night now and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] came by to
investigate activity on Sunday. Forty to 50 PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] are
regular along with other expected regulars, making very lively activity in the
yard.
** Jean Renton reports activity that they had not seen before in their
Stilesville yard, when suddenly 30 to 40 EUROPEAN STARLINGS [Étourneau
sansonnet] started snow bathing in an area of soft snow, creating a major stir
with wings flapping and snow flying; an AMERICAN CROW [Corneille d'Amérique]
joined them briefly at one point. This behaviour went on for about 15
minutes.
** Brian Stone had his usual active feeder yard on Sunday, with a few
birds posing for portraits. Brian also notes that one of the EASTERN GRAY
SQUIRRELS [Écureuil gris] at Mapleton Park shows a noticeable amount of reddish
brown in its pelage. It seemed on the smaller side for a Gray Squirrel, making
one wonder whether it might be exhibiting some Red Squirrel genes or is it just
normal variation for a Gray Squirrel. Comments would be appreciated.
[Transcriber’s note: Most Gray Squirrels that I see show some warm brown to
reddish brown colouration, mostly on head and tail, mixed with their predominant
gray. I have not heard of hybridization between Gray and Red squirrels. The
brown coloration we see may be indicative of gene flow from Eastern Fox
Squirrels, which are notably rusty in the northern parts of their range. In the
USA, there is extensive overlap in distribution of the similar-sized Gray
Squirrel and Fox Squirrel. — David Christie]
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
COMMON REDPOLL. FEB. 21. 2015. BRIAN STONE
GRAY SQUIRREL. FEB. 21. 2015. BRIAN STONE
PINE SISKIN. FEB. 21. 2015. BRIAN STONE
.%2BFEB.%2B21.%2B2015.%2BBRIAN%2BSTONE.jpg)
PURPLE FINCH. FEB. 21. 2015. BRIAN STONE
