** Richard Blacquiere shares two awesome SPARROW photos he was able to capture
at Point Lepreau on Tuesday morning. One is of the FOX SPARROW that we will only
see for a brief time window as they pass through to breed to the north of us.
The other is of an IPSWICH SPARROW which is a sub species of the SAVANNAH
SPARROW that we see occasionally this time of year as they are in migration from
the south of us to breed on Sable Island off Nova Scotia. Richard comments the
Ipswich sub-species tends to show up at Point Lepreau approximately a week or so
before the numerous regular Savannah sparrows that inhabit the point in the
summer.
** Doreen Rossiter reports the first big flock of blackbirds arrived on
Tuesday to her Alma feeder yard at 100+. Only 15% of them were COMMON GRACKLES
with the rest all male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS with at least two female red-winged
blackbirds. Doreen comments from her notes over the past 15 years that over
those years there were more COMMON GRACKLES in the early years then RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS, at least in the first arriving groups. That seems to have changed
over the years to now noting a predominance of red-winged blackbirds over common
grackles in the early arriving flocks.
More SONG SPARROWS arrived on Tuesday as well as a flush of AMERICAN
ROBINS. On Tuesday Doreen also noted a TURKEY VULTURE over the highway in
Riverside-Albert and another flew across the road in Alma.
They are now at having at least 12 WHITE-TAILED DEER that are coming by
their Alma yard that have made short work of the yard shrubbery and now taking
pine and red spruce branches, something they have not seen them doing earlier in
the winter. One doe still has two yearlings of last season with her that they
see frolicking together. The group are not particular welcome yard guests but
they do get enjoyment watching their antics.
** I still have 25-30+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, filling the fruit tray feeder
almost constantly. They went through a 4 pound bag of apples in less than two
days so was pleased to get a scoop on 20 pound bags of apples available at
Stirling's Apple Sales on the Shediac Rd. for $6. If they stay for any time I
suspect a return trip to Stirling's may be indicated.
>> Nelson Poirier,
>> Nature Moncton
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