Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 28 2016

** The past several days with very little snow and warm temperatures have surely changed activity at feeders. Birds seem to be quite content to find natural foods. Bob Childs reports that he had not seen the ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER [Paruline verdâtre] at his Riverview feeders for two weeks, but it returned on Saturday, seemingly doing just fine.

** My own [Moncton] feeder yard activity lessened considerably as well, especially the 15-20 sparrows that were regular. They seemed to re-appear on Saturday, including the immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW [Bruant à couronne blanche], still showing no significant change towards adult plumage as yet.

** Dave Christie reports that he observed a WOOLLY BEAR caterpillar crossing his yard walkway during the warmth of Thursday. The ISABELLA TIGER MOTH is another that overwinters as a larval caterpillar. Dave also saw 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS [Bec-croisé bifascié] fly over on Thursday. It has been a scarce species in his area this winter, with few other observations.

Dave also mentions that the rain and snow loss have dramatically reduced bird activity at his Mary's Point feeders, now that lots of wild food is exposed nearby.

** Brian Stone got some photos coastally on Saturday that include male and female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER [Harle huppé], AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d’Amérique], AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS [Canard noir] and, feeding on a mussel, a GULL (goéland) that appears to be a third-winter bird due to the brown remnants on its mantle and a black bill smudge. It’s that time of year when plumage changes in gulls are beginning, so identification may be a bit more confusing. Brian also got a photo of a mammal swimming at a distance that appears to be a AMERICAN MINK [Vison d'Amérique].

** LITTLE RAY’S TRAVELLING ZOO exhibit is visiting several Maritime venues at the moment. It was in Moncton last weekend and we missed it, so we made a run to Fredericton to take it in on Saturday. I would suggest that every naturalist should see this exhibit. It is suggested as reptile-oriented, but there is much more, with mammals, birds, insects, and especially environmental education. The exhibits are great but the oral presentations are a highlight. The animals are very well cared for at this show, as it is approved by CAZA, the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is a very difficult certification to get and maintain. I’ll add a few photos each day of some of the small posters displayed that are really fodder for thought. It continues today in Fredericton and, I believe, will be in Saint John during the second week of March.

An added bonus to the short day trip was bumping into Don Gibson who said that the TUFTED TITMOUSE [Mésange bicolore] and female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER [Pic à ventre roux] were still at his feeders. Don’s home is just up the street from the Fredericton exhibition grounds so we dropped by to check, and as luck would have it, both birds appeared. The titmouse stayed long enough for a few quick photos, but the woodpecker declined a photo op.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton