Nature Moncton Nature News: March 6 2015

** Although more common not too far from us, the TUFTED TITMOUSE [Mésange bicolore] has been slow to move into New Brunswick; however, one is faithfully attending two feeder yards on Deer Island, NB. Carmella Melanson visited the home of Colombe Boudreau on Deer Island on Thursday to see a Tufted Titmouse that is a regular winter patron at the moment, and Carmella was very rewarded. It hangs around with the BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire]. Visitors are most welcome. The Titmouse visits two feeder yards in Cummings Cove, Deer Island: the home of Bob and Linda Bosien, civic # 1214; and the home of Colombe Boudreau, the house after civic # 1245 on the other side of the road about 4 or 5 houses farther. Carmella shares a beautiful photo.

** As mentioned earlier in the week, Brian Stone is in Dartmouth, NS for the week and has discovered Sullivan's pond capturing many photos of the variety of ducks that overwinter there that we don't see here until spring, so a bit of a primer for the period ahead of us. Brian photographed GREEN-WINGED TEAL [Sarcelle d'hiver], HOODED MERGANSER [Harle couronné], GADWALL [Canard chapeau], AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique] and EURASIAN WIGEON [Canard siffleur]. Brian also got an AMERICAN COOT [Foulque d'Amérique] there and a winter-plumaged BLACK-HEADED GULL [Mouette rieuse], a small Gull that can be seen there in modest numbers in the winter, but uncommon to appear in New Brunswick.

** This week's Sky at a Glance report will be added to today's transcript. With a run of clear skies predicted, the items mentioned should be readily identifiable.

** There have been lots of reports of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boreal] in the area this winter. I saw the largest flock I've ever witnessed on Thursday in Moncton's west end on the western side of Jones Lake. Numbers were hard to estimate, but I suspect 300+. They seemed everywhere on a feeding frenzy on crab trees in yards.

** It's last call for the annual Nature Moncton Bird Feeder Tour scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday March 7th. Gather at the northwest corner of the coliseum parking lot at 9:00 am and head out to Jean Renton's very lively feeder yard for the first stop. Rumours have it not to have any breakfast before arriving at Jean's as participants from other years know that haute cuisine often is around Jean's kitchen. From Jean's place the group will head out for other feeder yards and park areas to make whistle stops. A contact number for anyone who wishes to make contact with the group during the day will be 866-2752. No advance registration is necessary. Just meet at 9:00 am at the coliseum parking lot with binoculars, cameras and a small snack for later in the day. All are welcome.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, March 6 – 14

Venus and Mars in the western twilight have widened to be 6° apart after their conjunction two weeks ago. Look for faint Mars under Venus. Their brightness difference is great but readily visible to the naked eye on clear nights. The gap between them enlarges a little more each day.

Daylight-saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Clocks spring ahead one hour. We may lose an hour now but we will get it back in the late fall.

Jupiter this month forms a big, more-or-less equilateral triangle with Procyon and Pollux. Face southeast soon after dark, and Procyon is to Jupiter's right. Pollux is high above them.

Procyon is also part of the slightly larger Winter Triangle to the west, also equilateral. Its other stars are orange Betelgeuse and bright Sirius below.

On Friday morning, March 13th, the Moon will go into its Last-quarter Phase meaning it will rise at midnight and set at noon.

You know the season is shifting. As the stars come out, the Big Dipper standing on end in the northeast is now as high as Cassiopeia standing on end in the northwest. The Dipper is rising into spring and summer, and Cassiopeia is descending from its fall and winter showing.

On Saturday, March 7, the sun will rise at 6:46 a.m. and will set at 6:14 p.m. giving 11 hours 27 minutes of daylight. On Saturday, March 14, the sun will rise at 7:32 a.m. and set at 7:23 p.m. to give 11 hours 50 minutes of daylight hours (These values are for Moncton, New Brunswick). The odd timing this week reflects the time change on Sunday morning.

The days are getting longer!

This Week's Planet Roundup

Mercury is sinking out of sight into the glare of sunrise.

Venus (magnitude –3.9) and Mars (less than 1% as bright at magnitude +1.3) are in the west during evening twilight. Look for Mars increasingly far below brilliant Venus.

Jupiter (magnitude –2.5) is already high in the east as the stars come out. It's highest in the south around midnight.

Saturn (magnitude +0.4) rises around 2 a.m. It's highest in the south as dawn begins. Below or lower left of Saturn by 8° is orange Antares.

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca.