Nature Moncton Nature News: March 28 2016

** Roger LeBlanc reports on the extravaganza of activity he found at the Saint-Thomas wharf on Saturday. He was able to scope 1000+ BLACK SCOTERS [Macreuse noire] with some other sea ducks mixed in. There was constant vocalization from the scoters, and he also heard LONG-TAILED DUCK [Harelde kakawi] and COMMON EIDER [Eider à duvet]. Roger recommends it as a great place to visit at the moment. Sometimes the ducks move in very close to the wharf, for great observation opportunities. It should last for another week or more.

** More COMMON REDPOLLS [Sizerin flammé] are appearing at feeders. Bob and Sharon Blake had the first three of the winter arrive at their Second North River feeder on Saturday and swell to 10 on Sunday.

** Fred and Lynn Dubé also had 2 Redpolls, the first of the winter, on Sunday at their Niagara Road feeder in Lower Coverdale. They currently have high numbers of PINE SISKINS [Tarin des pins] and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES [Chardonneret jaune], as well as a few PURPLE FINCHES [Roselin pourpré].

They have the regular woodpeckers, but a pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS [Grand pic] are a premium. They had a pair of MALLARD [Canard colvert] ducks appear for the 5th consecutive year, before the snow, and they expect them to return, as the snow subsides this week.

** Louise and Maurice Richard noted a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS [Harle couronné] on the Kouchibouguac River near their Acadieville cabin. AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS [Canard noir] were also seen, among expected regulars, along with a NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant].

** Brian Stone photographed activity between the Hampton lagoon and Rothesay lagoon on Sunday: more NORTHERN CARDINALS [Cardinal rouge] of both genders, TURKEY VULTURE [Urubu à tête rouge], RING-NECKED DUCK [Fuligule à collier], ICELAND GULL [Goéland arctique], FOX SPARROW [Bruant fauve], and DARK-EYED JUNCO [Junco ardoisé] female.

The BLACK-HEADED GULL [Mouette rieuse] was still present at the Hampton lagoon, however was constantly flying in circles with some other gulls. Richard Blacquiere points out that the Black-headed Gull is more apt to associate with mixed gull groups than is the BONAPARTE'S GULL [Mouette de Bonaparte], which may be a tidbit to remember.

** Also, the Nature Moncton owl workshop and "Owl Prowl” are now scheduled for Wednesday night, March 30. More on that in the days to come.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton