Nature Moncton Nature News: February 8 2015

** Ian Flemming and Lori Joudry report that they have been enjoying nature more than ever this winter, around their Upper Coverdale home, with birds emptying three sunflower chip feeders every day. They just had their first visit of 8 SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] and everyday from 20 to 50 ducks come up from the nearby Petitcodiac River to enjoy scratch grain. After last Tuesday’s storm they spotted a young BOBCAT [Lynx roux] strolling by, no doubt searching for something to eat. It seemed healthy and has not been seen since.

** Jean Renton is having some extras coming to her Stilesville feeder yard. A flock of SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] are now coming to the patio to feed and, from experience in past years, she expects that they will increase in number. Jean also has had CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] arrive to feed in a yard Highbush Cranberry. This waxwing seems to be getting a bit more frequently seen in this area during winter, but BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] are far more common. Jean also has two RED FOXES [Renard roux] coming to feed under a yard tree.

** Doreen Rossiter leaves a mid-winter report on action at her Alma feeder yard. She feels that BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] and BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] are present in higher numbers this winter. As with most feeder yards, COMMON REDPOLLS [Sizerin flammé] and PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] are abundant, with only a few AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES [Chardonneret jaune] and PURPLE FINCHES [Roselin pourpré]. She has had 12 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien], and SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] are increasing in number. The one bird conspicuously absent is WOODPECKERS [pics]. A NORTHERN SHRIKE [Pie-grièche grise] and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] are attracted to the action. A recent fuss by AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Amérique] turned out to be the result of of the Sharp-shinned taking a ROCK PIGEON [Pigeon biset] that it was able to hold down but not able to lift off with, which made for some loud interest by the crows.

Doreen mentions noting a pair of COMMON RAVENS [Grand Corbeau] performing their aerial acrobatics of barrel rolls and flips, associated with the mating ritual that occurs at this time of year. She also noted a pair of BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche] doing a similar aerial performance on Feb. 4. Four WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] have recently removed four window feeders, and Doreen has noted a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK [Buse pattue] flying over recently.

** Flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] are circulating about the city {Moncton]. Anne Marsch spotted a flock of 40 in the Arden Street area, where two crab-apple trees had abundant fruit.

** Brian Stone got a nice close-up of a female PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] at his Moncton feeder on Saturday. This species seems to be settling in numbers. Brian also noted an iridescent feature in clouds on Saturday.

** It’s always interesting to watch the routine of birds as they become accustomed to a feeder yard. I have a pair of DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur] that have a very strict routine of coming in for a feed of peanut butter from a tube feeder, then hopping to the adjacent feeder for a sunflower chip chaser.

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca